Lippizaner Show Comcast Arena Everett, WA

[Elfe]

Does anybody know how long the show lasts ?
I want to buy tickets but have to fit this in with prior obligations and need to know what time the performance ends.
I tried calling Comcast Arena and the (not) so very helpful person who answered the phone told me I would have to watch the show to find out when it ends !!!!!!!
Thanks in advance !

[LittleGray]

I went a couple years ago (awsome by the way) and it was about 2 hours I believe.

[Nes]

From my recolection it was about 2 hours.

I have to say the most exciting thing I've ever done (horse wise) was watching them train the young ones in vienna - now there is a show they should go on the road with!

[kewpalace]

These are NOT the Spanish Riding School Lipizzans, just so you're clear. I saw this tour a few years ago in SoCal. Would have rather seen the Spanish Riding School but they don't tour the US much. This show - maybe 1.5-2 hours.

[Beasmom]

I wouldn't jeopardize your prior obligation for this show. Very disappointing.

Save your money for when the "real" SRS tours. Yes, rare, but worth it!

[Mtn trails]

So how do you know it's the real deal if both ads say "World Famous Lippizaner Stallions!"? Does the ad have to say whether they are from the SRS?

I went to see them at Madison Square Garden a long time ago and I was less than impressed. Not to mention that my two "friends" I went with ditched me half way through the program because they had a letter from Mrs. Steinkraus that got them backstage so there I sat by myself. Poor me.

[Beasmom]

The SRS advertises itself AS the SRS. The "World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions" is a group from Florida. And some of their stallions aren't even Lippizzaners!

I've had the displeasure to see this crew twice. (Both times at the insistence of friends or relatives). One of their "Lipizzaners" was an Arab. The next time they hit Denver, several of the "Lippizzanners" were Andalusians. Nothing wrong with that, but call the troupe the "World Famous _________". Fill in the blank appropriately.

Their routines contain some "dressage like" movements, and I suppose they thrill the general public, but a horseman with a bit of knowledge sees right through it.

I had the pleasure of seeing the SRS when they last toured the US in Philadelphia. Glorious!

[WeDoItAll]

They are in Elma, WA tomorrow night. They get kudos from me because they contacted the local 4H extension agent and asked for a 4H horse group to be appointed to help them with loading, unloading, ticket sales and ticket takers in exchange for a donation to their 4H club. I thought that was a great way to give back to the community they visit.

Our 4H club got the gig! The show is supposed to last about 2 hours, from 7:30-9:30 ... the doors open at 6:30. That's about all I know about the timing. I do know that we need to be there at 3:00 to start setup and it takes about 2 hours :-)

I'm slightly concerned because I haven't heard any advertising for the show and this particular venue isn't exactly in a high traffic area ... so I'm not certain how big of a crowd they're going to get.

[stryder]

They are also coming to the ShoWare Center in Kent, two shows Saturday, one Sunday. I saw them a couple of years ago in Tacoma. Nice enough show, but not the SRS show, which I've also seen.

[Elfe]

Thanks for the info. Does not sound really exciting, I'll have to reconsider.

[monstrpony]

This show goes up and down a lot, depending on who is working for them at any given time. I saw them earlier this year and it was decent. Some good stuff, some a bit weaker, but remember that their emphasis is on a good show, not necessarily on perfect dressage. The do have some good riders this year and their show honors the SRS without pretending to be the SRS, much more so than in the past. And the horses were Lipizzaners this year--they may have one or two others but they don't try to pass them off as Lips, they just demonstrate historical variations on classical training.

If, say, you had friends who know little, but are curious about classical dressage and what the SRS is about, you could go to this show with them, having explained beforehand what the show is and what it is not, and not be totally embarassed by it. Like that.

[Beasmom]

WFLS has never drawn big crowds in Denver. Last time they came, they were at the Pepsi Center. The Denver Coliseum or even the old Stock Show arena would have been a better venue. Maybe they draw better in different cities.

I don't like that material they use for "footing". I asked a lot of questions about it after the first show I saw. The explanation is, it provides a consistent surface for the horses no matter where they perform. I wouldn't ask MY horse to work on it, day after day, sometimes twice a day.

[cu.at.x]

I was all excited and about to order tickets. No wonder they are cheaper than I expected. :-( I think I'll wait until the *real* SRS is touring.

[BelgianAndy]

I saw the show last month here in Utah. They had some very well trained horses and some that were still working at it. Excellent show in all and the riders were excellent. I am going to tell my relatives to go when it hits Ellensburg.

[Beasmom]

What's your dressage background, BelgianAndy?

They came to Denver about three years ago and they were terrible. The head rider attempted to ride changes of lead every stride and failed. The horse changed leads in front, but kept on cantering on the same lead behind.

Horses behind the vertical, horses with mouths gaping and one with his tongue hanging out. Not pretty. Glad you were pleased with what you saw last year. I will never go again. That ain't dressage.

Saving my $$ for the real SRS.

[Rallycairn]

Maybe we've seen a different troupe, but we've been going to this show for years and we always enjoy it.

This group also has affiliation with the actual SRS. When the SRS did their "anniversary" tour in the U.S. about 2-3 years ago, they used the World Famous group as their production crew and had the exact same announcer. DH and I were surprised at the similarity in the show's format and presentation, as well. That is, the format of the World Famous show is very similar to the actual SRS show -- Quadrille, pas de deux, pas de quatre, airs in hand, airs under saddle, etc.

The level of collection and training with the SRS was of course superior, but the horses we've seen with the World Famous crew were still enjoyable. And just to clarify, they do tend to have an Andalusian number but it is presented as such; they don't try to pass off non-Lippizans as Lippizans. They have SRS/Piber stud Lippizans, based on the [numerous] brands, and a few non-Piber Lippizans, too, that we've seen. I haven't happened to see them showing an Arabian but clearly they've done it in the past according to the comments. They also make it pretty clear when they are bringing out a horse that's still learning about doing it all in front of a crowd, and the audience is pretty understanding. Now that it's been pointed out to me, I think this is the first year I've seen one-tempi changes -- but I guess they use what they have and I don't mind, as training is always ongoing. There's still plenty enough precision for a decent show, especially with the quadrilles, pas de quatre, etc. And the airs they show are I'm sure dependent on what moves their current horses can do. But I was surprised, when I saw the SRS they didn't show all of the airs either, just a few, same as with the World Famous crew.

If you wait for the real SRS you may have to wait a long time. And again, I found the format of the shows to be very similar. Why not go anyway and decide for yourself?

The WF show we saw Nov. '08 here in VA was very enjoyable for us. This season was the first in a while they didn't come to Richmond, but we decided to go to Charlottesville. I've always spent time watching them backstage after the show and the horses are so calm, and the riders are doing a lot of the grooming tasks and such. I dunno, I get a good vibe from the show that, given the difficulties of keeping horses happy and healthy in a touring environment, they seem to do a pretty good job. I'd hate to see them disappear altogether. The riders might not be ready to do an international dressage freestyle but even so ...

Years ago I saw another American group called the "Royal Lippizaner Stallions." These shows tend to attract small but enthusiastic crowds. I think you'll have a good time if you go into it with reasonable expectations.

[kewpalace]

I also saw the World Famous Lipizzans a few years ago - I was NOT impressed. My experience was the same as Beasmom's. Horses were NOT happy - lots of switchy tails, pinned ears (not listening ears), gaping mouths, poor riding. :no: I did not get a good vibe from this show. I wasn't expecting the SRS, but was expecting a good show. It was not worth my 2.5 hr. drive to see them. There was only one young lady whose horsemanship was fantastic. She was even better than the "master". I enjoyed watching her alot, but then again, she had to share the spotlight with others.

Hopefully since I saw them they have improved. Based on Rallycairn's post, there's some glimmer it has.

[thatmoody]

I know the horse who hangs his tongue out, by the way - he's a goofball who just does that :D. I am always of two minds about the show - of course it's not dressage, but I have learned a lot about stallion care from their trainer (he comes over from time to time to help us with our stallions) and I have enjoyed being around the horses. It's not something I'd pay to see, but I've enjoyed the time I've spent with them - and of course I've loved our boy since we got him from them (he's an Andy, btw, and wasn't on the road). I think that their audience is more non-horse-people, and they know it. They have gotten some lulu's for riders, I agree - although the two that I got to know were VERY good. They mostly stayed at home and trained, though - tuning up the horses after they'd been on the road.

[Frank B]

As said above, about two hours, but consider the get in/get out times also. The parking lot at the venue here is usually a madhouse

We go occasionally, but with a group of friends. It makes for a pleasant evening together. Getting together beforehand for hors d'oeuvres & adult beverages helps.

[Pirateer]

I'm considering going to the one that is coming up here in July...last time I went was a "birthday surprise" when I was about 8 years old. Needless to say my appreciation for Haute Ecole was limited to "Oooh, Shiny Pony".

[Murphy's Mom]

I've got tickets for me and the neighbor to go when it hits Yakima (front row center). I'll sit there and pick out the flaws I'm sure, but I know my neighbor will love it. Hopefully White Vale Farm in Goldendale will host their performances again this summer (don't see anything on the website). I went last year. Dr. Ritter and the others were great!