Circus Part IV

by Allen Pogue and Suzanne De Laurentis, all rights reserved, 2005

An interesting feature of the new act was an equine version of 'musical chairs'. The roustabouts placed four lightweight metal hoops equidistant inside the curb ring. The hoops were on short legs, which held them about one foot off the ground. While an unfamiliar yet haunting melody reminiscent of Celtic rock music played in the background, four gray Arabians circled. As soon as the music stopped they all in unison hopped into the nearest hoop. On cue from Sacha they either 'waltzed' in a tight circle inside the hoops or reared on their back legs.

Now came time to practice a solo act with a horse possessing real 'star power' A shimmering dark golden palomino was asked to make a dramatic entrance by jumping at Liberty thru what is called a paper balloon. This is a large hoop covered with tightly stretched paper. For the practice session the hoop had been prepared by using newspaper pages taped together in such a way as to leave an obvious 'doorway' thru which the horse could jump.. First the horse was asked simply to enter and gallop the length of the three rings. The curbs had been pulled aside to leave an open runway.

After completing several breakneck entrances, the balloon was placed in the now familiar path and unhesitatingly the horse leapt thru. The palomino's exit was equally spectacular. This fella is a hindleg walking specialist. He would rear up and quite rapidly walk the entire length of the arena. Two repetitions and he was done.

It was a bit difficult for me to have to sit quietly on the sidelines and simply watch when so many questions were going thru my mind. I knew what I was witnessing was the culmination of many lifetimes spent and 'secrets' passed from generation to generation in the close knit world of the European circus. However as time allowed after practice Sacha was open to all my questions and answered in a very forthright manner belying one who is at ease with his profession.

Now with every day that passes the effects of that session are evident in the schooling of my own horses. I have become a quieter handler. I do fewer repetitions. I carefully lead the horse thru each new step in-hand or if possible actually link them to an older more experienced horse with whom I can expect perfect obedience. You see, to me every day is a circus day because with a little imagination and a willing horse one does not have to run away to join the circus, when you can have one in your own backyard.

 

NOTE from Allen : It is however the only place you might get a picture with a ferris wheel in the background. Previous