Lipizzaner Stallions to appear at Duplin Events Center
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on November 26, 2006 2:00 AM
KENANSVILLE -- One of the world's most renowned horse shows will visit the Duplin County Events Center on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., when the Lipizzaner Stallions will make an appearance.
The Lipizzaner Stallions are on their 36th Anniversary Tour. In 1970, Producer Gary Lashinsky created a new family arena attraction, starring the world famous troupe of horses and riders. Over the years, more than 23 million people around the world have seen the internationally acclaimed spectacle.
This year, all new music, choreography and routines have been incorporated into the show, with a major emphasis on the historical background and foundation of the Lipizzaner breed, from its original breeding and use as a horse of war to a horse of nobility and aristocracy to a living form of equestrian art.
The show emulates the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, in its presentation of Lipizzans, and maintains a traditional as well as entertaining performance similar in many ways to what visitors would see at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
Also included in the performance is a segment called the "Airs Above the Ground." These are the spectacular leaps and maneuvers, once used by riders in saddle to protect and defend themselves on the battlefield, which are now preserved as an equestrian work of art.
When the Lipizzans perform, it is like stepping back 400 years and viewing one of the greatest equine ballets in history.
The Lipizzan is a rare and unique breed. Its history and culture is known worldwide. The Walt Disney movie "The Miracle of the White Stallions," depicting Gen. George Patton saving them at the end of World War II from certain extinction, created an even greater world-wide interest in the Lipizzaner breed.
The current tour features 12 to 14 stallions performing selected maneuvers as described above. The conclusion of the performance of The Lipizzaner Stallions is the traditional Grand Quadrille, featuring six to eight stallions with their riders performing an intricate, equine ballet, exhibiting maneuvers through the highest level of dressage. The Lipizzans prance, march and intricately weave their way across the floor to the music of the Masters in a spectacular ballet of four-footed white dancers.
For ticket information, call (910) 296-2181, stop by the Events Center or go to www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone, call (910) 223-2900.
The show will make stops in Williamston on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, in Winston-Salem on Dec. 1 and in Raleigh on Dec. 3.