[Mike Matson]

Filmed in 1936 - the world renowned Cristiani Family Bareback Riding Act. Starting at 2:45 into the video you will see some of the most AMAZING equestrian acrobatics ever seen, many shown in slow motion. IMPRESSIVE!

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

[cutemudhorse]

Al I can say is "Wow."

[2tempe]

I'll second that: WOW! Amazing...

[BeaSting]

Another "WOW"

[Kitters]

That's truly one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. Some of those tricks appear to defy physics, and I certainly would have never thought them humanly possible.

Thanks for sharing such an amazing video!

[Chardavej]

Ah heck, *I* can do that. Sheesh. No problem!









Whatever, LOL! They were amazing!!

[CelticRiverDance]

Mike, You find the most amazing things. Thanks for sharing. I love your posts.

[twofatponies]

Wow. I'd seen still photos of that, but never video. Super find!!!

[ayrabz]

I sure enjoy your links! Ummm...since you have such savvy in posting pix, links, etc....I'm DYING to see YOUR pony (ponies?) and what you enjoy riding/doing with them? Step out from behind the green curtain of OZ !!!!

[CR Gorge Girl]

Wow!!!!!! That was amazing. It was mindblowing to see in slow motion just how in sync the guys were to each other during the 3 horse backflip through a hoop trick.

[Whisper]

Take a look at this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2qWGIlymHQ

[Seven]

That is very cool.

And I'm shocked, just shocked I tell you, to see that there wasn't a Parelli in sight as those classically trained horses cantered quietly around without lunge lines or even bridles sometimes! Amazing.

[Long Spot]

That is amazing stuff. Really impressive!

And they canter bareback.

[HydroPHILE]

Gotta love 4:27

[JBCool]

How do they DO that? Most of us would be lucky to make a leap onto a shetland pony; forget a 2300lb draft! And land on their feet!? Maybe the horse ducks...

[twofatponies]

How do they DO that? Most of us would be lucky to make a leap onto a shetland pony; forget a 2300lb draft! And land on their feet!? Maybe the horse ducks...

Seriously! I can barely mount from the ground with a stirrup! These guys seemed to just float five feet into the air!!!

[CiegoStar]

Take a look at this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2qWGIlymHQ

This is impressive on its own merits, but next to the Cristiani family video it suggests that vaulting as a sport hasn't really improved on the trick circus riding family! This performance is interesting but lacks the "wow" factor the old video has. They don't seem to be doing as difficult movements. The horse is strapped in and contained with a whip and line. And I don't know if the vaulters got off with the timing of the music, but the ending is pretty anticlimactic.

(says she who knows nothing about vaulting...)

[Mike Matson]

Comparing today's vaulting to what the Cristiani family did is like saying my horses are as good as Totilas.

[headsupheelsdown]

that was great!