This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
There was some mention of the four Fjords that are in the Ringling Bros Circus in this post on the Equine Studies Institute Forum: http://equinestudies.secure-mall.com/discus/index.html To read the whole thing go to "last day" (on the left) then to the Topic "Circus Knie Video".
By Allen Pogue (208.24.48.133) on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 08:10 am: ......................................................<snip>................................. On the subject of Circus training, the window of opportunity to see Sacha Houcke in action (in this country) is drawing to a close. When his contract expires this season he is going back to Europe (where trainers of his caliber get the respect they deserve) to work for the Circus Pinder.
I have been lucky enough to garner enough interest from him that for the last six years every time the circus comes to central Texas he has allowed me to come and spend time observing their schooling on practice days. Typically it is hard to sit on the sidelines and not ask questions, but with so many acts to work out there simply is not time.. Not so this year as he is turning them over to his daughter Karin and so we were able to spend several hours a day watching as he made observations on her work and the way the horses were responding..
What I am talking about specifically is the Liberty 'sorting' routines that made the Circus Knie so famous. Sacha during his time with Ringling Bros created acts that are reminiscent of what the circus used to be like .. Imagine a carousel of eight gray Arabians, eight Friesians and eight zebras and a palomino all in a 42 ft ring at the same time. This year's Blue unit show includes a sorting routine with four Fjord ponies and four elephants .. when they pair up and 'waltz' it is a testiment to his skill of mastering the willing adaptability of both species. <snip>"
*********************** Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, Glorious golden fall weather, 53 degrees today.
