Famous white stallions dance at the Sun

The Lipizzaner Stallions came to Mohegan Sun Arena Nov. 19 as part of the show's 38th Anniversary Tour.

Anyone who's ever tried to keep a horse at a steady pace - or tried to train an animal to follow any command - would likely be awed at the invisible bond between rider and horse that brought near-flawless ballet and battle moves to the floor of the arena.

The two-hour show was produced with new music, choreography and routines worked into traditional maneuvers with an emphasis on the historical background of the breed. The horse was originally used in war and later was a favorite of nobility. The Lipizzaner now represents a living form of equestrian art and the performance has its roots in the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria.

The program narration made it clear the stallions are not circus animals, but partners with their riders in mastering the art of dressage. The animals are allowed to be "just horses" for four years as trainers observe the colt's natural movements and skills. Those who are identified as suitable for the traditional schooling then enter into a slow program of training: just 45 minutes a day for the next six to 10 years.

The narrator said the Lipizzaners love to go through their paces and the horses seemed spirited and appeared to enjoy performing. Two of the horses came from a rescue effort at a farm, in the United States, that had fallen on hard times. Altogether, eight horses were rescued and they are now in rehabilitation which may lead to their joining the performance.  

The horses traditionally come from just six bloodlines in Europe. Now those lines will be continued in this country as the Lipizzaner production company has established its own breeding and training facility in Oviedo, Fla. At this point, those horses are too young to join the show, but the new farm will be a source of talent in the future.

A highlight of the performance was a segment called the "Airs Above the Ground." These leaps and maneuvers originated on the battlefield and are incredible examples of the balance and communication required between the rider and horse.

The breed's history includes an important interlude when General George S. Patton, skirting orders, staged a rescue of the horses at the end of World War II.

The grand finale featured the traditional Grand Quadrille a ballet on horseback featuring eight stallions in an intricate dance created with dressage.