Duelling Disciplines

[Roberta]

For those of you who think that stuff like this only happens in Europe:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZei9ASbW8

[Bogey2]

my niece saw it live and loved it! what fun!

[Kathy Johnson]

Is that Rocher? (whoever it is looks great). Who are these people? And where's the camel?

[Roberta]

No. It is Chris Hickey riding Bugatti Hilltop and Robert Johnson on Reboks Kid during the Pfizer Fantasia at Equine Affaire this past weekend.

There are more acts from it on YouTube. If you put in ''Equine Affaire Fantasia"' and then sort by most recent date added, you will find much of the program.

This is Sasha Nevidonski, who is a Russian Aerilist who was trained at the Moscow Circus school. He fell in love with riding horses and combined both:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1nkcDsr-9E&NR=1

Here is Sylvia Zerbini. She, too, is an aerilist but she really specializes in liberty work. Notice that she is working 7 horses in a full arena.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XGUeZRZygo

We also had Jane Hannigan, who rode Maksymilian:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hWnLa69TrQ

Enjoy.

[Roberta]

Kathy, I will work on getting the camel to come to Equine Affaire in Columbus in April. However, I am afraid that he might qualify for World Cup and will turn our invitation down.

[Kathy Johnson]

I thought "Joe the Camel" had been banned from any venue with children present.

The guy without the shirt was pretty intriguing, but doesn't hold a handle to Erik Martonovich

http://www.bighorseproductions.com/performers.html :)

I loved the Liberty Act. I can't get one Arab to do a single thing I want, let alone seven! Thanks for posting the links.

[Ambrey]

You can tell from the cheering that the videographers are westernites ;)

The QH doesn't seem quite in his element- maybe a bit put off by the funny lights and big stallion in funny clothes in the arena with him? I didn't think the ride was as impressive as the other video. It's also not a great vid, though :(

[Roberta]

Kathy, we actually have had Eric ride in Fantasia. And yes, when he takes his shirt off, most of the audience falls of their seats. Sasha and Eric are good friends and often train together but Eric can't do the ariel stuff like Sasha. No matter, if you get to stand next to either guy; it is very nice eye candy.

Maybe if we put a fake tail (with FEI permission) on Joe the Camel, we can sneak him in?

[Kathy Johnson]

LOL. I think Joe the Camel is going to need to apply for a disability dispensation, tail or no tail. I do not think one can piaffe in pace. No, I take it back, I saw a horse once who was having trouble in piaffe and was working with an old friend. The horse would canter, in place. Then the canter got shorter and shorter, and more lateral, and lost its leads, until it was sort of pacing in place. So, go Joe. No one cares about the purity of the gaits anymore at FEI anyway.

Do we perhaps have a more close-up angle of Sasha so I can judge for myself?

[Roberta]

If you come to Columbus next April 2 - 5, you can see Sasha for yourself. He will be performng in Fantasia there. If you come early you can watch him put up the rigging. He goes like a cat up into the roof (no net) and sets up everything. He won't let anyone else do it.

Perhaps I could change the Western - Dressage to a Pas de Trois- reining, dressage and camelssage. I wonder if Joe the Camel has an agent.

[Ambrey]

You know, it's too bad nobody has an upper level dressage zebra or something- 3 species pas de trois would be fabulous :)

[Roberta]

Schwepps Bull?

[Kathy Johnson]

More than a few mules and donkeys....

[Ambrey]

More than a few mules and donkeys....

At upper levels? It just isn't the same if it doesn't include tempi changes and such ;)

But I really want to see a zebra.

[Roberta]

I have been searching for a Zebra but have not had much luck (even though my daughter is actually in Africa right now). However, I found this as a potential stand in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QomCoG5nEMY&feature=related

There is a major spook at about 2:37 or so. But still might be worthy of consideration with a little practice.

[Ambrey]

Some people just have way too much time on their hands...

Think he could wear striped pants?

[Kathy Johnson]

I think they may have some issues with acceptance of the bridle.

http://www.kathyjohnsondressage.com/zebrafullsize.jpg

http://www.foresthillfarms.com/articles/wings_hoofs_5.jpg

If you're serious, David Skipworth in the photo apparently has some experience with zebras:

http://www.foresthillfarms.com/articles/zebras.htm

[Ambrey]

I believe the first photo is rider error ;)