Gaelen Foley
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Historical Romance >
      • Moonlight Square
      • The Inferno Club
      • The Knight Family
      • The Ascension Trilogy
      • Anthologies
    • Fantasy Romance
    • Middle Grade / YA
    • Audiobooks
    • Translations
  • Extras
    • For Writers
    • History Buffs
    • HEA Corner
    • FAQ's
  • Contact

Latest News

Dancing Horses for my Readers

12/23/2015

11 Comments

 
PictureMERRY 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

Reply
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.

Reply
Angela
12/23/2015 04:18:52 pm

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

Reply
C Hopkins
12/23/2015 05:19:22 pm

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

Reply
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...

Reply
Katina Fragakis
12/23/2015 06:30:34 pm

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

Reply
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.
😇

Reply
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! :)

Reply
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!!

Reply
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 :)

Reply
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

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

      Join My Mailing List

    SUBSCRIBE

    ​FOLLOW ME ON:
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed


    My Latest Release!
    Picture
    Duke of Shadows
    A heartbroken belle, a missing suitor, and a heroic duke in disguise.
    Amazon

    Archives

    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    RSS Feed

Policy Links
Privacy Policy
Cookies Policy
Terms of Service
​© Gaelen Foley 2023
  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Historical Romance >
      • Moonlight Square
      • The Inferno Club
      • The Knight Family
      • The Ascension Trilogy
      • Anthologies
    • Fantasy Romance
    • Middle Grade / YA
    • Audiobooks
    • Translations
  • Extras
    • For Writers
    • History Buffs
    • HEA Corner
    • FAQ's
  • Contact