"AN EVENING IN VIENNA"^®

The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES^® is on its 27th Anniversary Tour in 1996. In 1970, Producer Gary Lashinsky created a new family arena attraction, The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES ^®, starring the "World Famous" ROYAL LIPIZZANER STALLIONS^®.

Many horses and riders were brought from Europe to perform in this unique family oriented arena attraction. Over the years, twenty-three million people throughout North and South America, Great Britain and Europe have seen this internationally acclaimed spectacle.

1996 represents the 27th Anniversary season of The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES ^® with a special salute to the world famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna, entitled "AN EVENING IN VIENNA"^®. All new music, choreography and routines have been incorporated in this anniversary edition 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 you 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 you see the Lipizzans perform, it is like stepping back four hundred 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 General George S. Patton saving them at the end of World War II from certain extinction, created an even greater world-wide interest in the Lipizzaner breed. Had it not been for Patton, there would be no Lipizzans today.

Although the Lipizzans star in the presentation of The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES ^®, other show breeds are included in this 27th Anniversary Edition including the ancestral forefathers of the Lipizzan, the Spanish Andalusian and the Arabian. Spanish Andalusians are featured in high school presentations with special wardrobe and presentations themed to traditional Spanish music.

Not only is the Andalusian shown in saddle, but also in a unique presentation where the rider performs all the maneuvers of the Grand Prix Olympic level dressage on the longline, while walking behind the horse and guiding him through his paces.

The current tour features 18 to 20 stallions performing selected maneuvers as described above in an exciting presentation.

The conclusion of the performance of The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES ^® is the traditional Grand Quadrille, featuring six to eight Lipizzaner 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.

The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES^® is truly a great experience; one does not need to be a horse lover to enjoy it. The WONDERFUL WORLD OF HORSES^®, starring the "World Famous" ROYAL LIPIZZANER STALLIONS^®, "The Equestrian Treat of the Century"^®, is indeed a show to be enjoyed by the entire family.

Click Here: for more information about Producer Gary Lashinsky.

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