Dancing Horses for my Readers

12/23/2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Each year it's my tradition to post a favorite carol on my blog over the busy Christmas holiday. This year, however, I thought I'd share something a bit different. Here's a truly magical treat, set to the tune of a lovely Strauss waltz that always makes me think of ice-skating.. These enchanting Lipizzaner stallions and their riders look like a toy soldier cavalry come to life under the Christmas tree ~ an equine ballet fit for the Nutcracker. Simply breathtaking. Enjoy! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Peace, love, and light to you all, Gaelen (posing with the dancing gingerbread men in one of the Christmas display windows at Lord & Taylor in NYC earlier this month! They moved--fun!)

11 Comments

Cheri Brown

12/23/2015 04:05:34 pm

Needs better editing but beautiful music and horses

Melanie link

12/23/2015 04:12:34 pm

Thanks so much. This brought a tear to my eye. Perfection. Happy holidays to you and yours. And thanks for all your wonderful books.

Angela

12/23/2015 04:18:52 pm

Oh! Stunning!!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!

C Hopkins

12/23/2015 05:19:22 pm

Magnificent. I would love to see a woman rie one sidesaddle.

Gaelen

12/28/2015 07:15:19 pm

I wonder if she could stay aboard during some of those amazing jumps! lol. Hard to imagine that was originally defensive moves for cavalry knights in battle...

Katina Fragakis

12/23/2015 06:30:34 pm

Sending you Joy in the Light and Sound of the holiday season.

YukiFuji

12/23/2015 08:12:55 pm

Great post, but no info about the horses. I guess your purpose was to entertain and be enthralled. Which we all are. I find information on the Lipizzaner stallions fascinating. So if you don't, stop reading here.

*Mild disclaimer. My information Lipizzaner horses is all personal things I've learned over the years and might not always be 100% accurate. I like horses a lot, but I have never had the chance to see these beautiful creatures. There are so many fascinating things about these horses.
Lipizzaner horses are born black and "gray out" as they age. So all the performing stallions are older and that's why some still have grayish manes and tails.
They were originally bred for calvary combat and prior to that, for knights. So to train these stallions with the "airs above the ground" was to train them for combat against infantry and other calvary. This is why only stallions are trained (due to the old-fashioned, European prejudice of the stallion superiority over mares and geldings in combat).
The beautiful move where the horse kicks back while on hind legs is to kill or disable infantry trying to hamstring the poor horse. While simultaneously fighting the person in front of the rider. I don't know the name of the move, because it's difficult to remember all the phrases in foreign languages.
Of course now days, there are no longer any active calvary units. Just ceremonial units for show and for funerals. So the stallions are a fascinating show and a glimpse into our past.
I could write endlessly, but for accurate information Google it and you'll find tons of info on the "world famous" Lipizzaner stallions.
😇

Gaelen

12/28/2015 07:13:08 pm

Fabulous info! Thank you for sharing that! I recall reading a children's novel when I was little that featured Lipizzaners where the foals were born gray/black and then got lighter. It IS fascinating! I wish I could remember the book!

Yes, with the busy times around the holidays, I just thought some enchanting little no-calorie treat was in order, but I appreciate that extra added info. Thank you very much!

Happy New Year! :)

Irene Gray

12/24/2015 04:45:21 am

Oh this video was/is delightful. The horses & the riders are just magnificent. I wish I could see them in reality!!

Gaelen

12/28/2015 07:16:59 pm

Irene, they tour around in the winter season! I know they make it to Pittsburgh every few years, and we're not exactly a huge city. So they do make the rounds! My grandmother took me to see them on a very special day out together when I was a kid. Stuck with me all my life! Best wishes, Gaelen :)

Gaelen

12/28/2015 07:14:20 pm

Thank you for the wonderful holiday wishes, my friends! I'm so glad you stopped by and delighted that you had the same reaction to these horses that I did. Happy New Year hugs all around!
xo,
Gaelen

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