Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I don't think the Pope has gone back to the Vatican, I think he is still here just using a different name.
My other posts didn't go through(you know where you can read them if you would like), so I will try again, as you have segued into a new subject.
To get it straight, you have slammed the rodeo industy, the dressage industy, the dancing horse industy, European Circus Elephant and horse training, and now the bull fighing industy, in a effort to be humble, and non pontificating. I quess the quote, "damn everything but the circus(the American circus, I assume)" is the 11th commandment that Charleton Heston/Moses scratched of the tablets, and not all of us were aware of it until Rev. Herriott pointed it out.
And now you state the manner in which "YOU" were "TOLD" Vosconcello trained his horses!!!! And it is allowed to be printed!!!
"I" have been "TOLD" some horrendous stories about Hugh Schmidtt, and others and the ring building in Venice. Terrible stories, about baby elephants going in, the doors being closed, a half hour off terrible screams and trumpeting, and then the doors coming open, and a cut blood covered elephant coming out skipping. None of those people had a bone to pick, and were also from varios departments, and PUBLIC. I have asked you and your obvious learned knowledge after 60 years in the trenches about the "paralyzed trunks" you always mention, and you will not address it. Your hypocrisies are truly monumental, and I guess if this doesn't run, it's not a "one man deal."
You didn't know who Madame Col. Dianne Olds Rossi was when she started!!! No shit, John. That's insighful. Not to burst your humble bubble John Milton, but if you walked out of your little tiny little world of "horse training", even after "60 years in the trenches" they would not have a clue who you were. Why have you not been confident enough to hang your paper, any place but in your back yard? Probably the same reason I consider myself a pretty fair tennis player, but I sure am not going to challenge John McEnroe.
I asked you in the last post how old the horse that Mary Ruth rode from Circus Williams was when it came here, and how old when it retired. Also, in your opinion what is a "complete" high school act. And why is it that when we preface great circus high school training we have to to all the way back to the Konyots, the Heyers etc., etc. We can go to the European circus for modern examples today, why can't we find the same modern examples in the American circus. Oh that's right, they went broke.
Wade Burck
17 comments:
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Anonymous said...
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Johnny, We all agree on Capt. Heyer, so no comment.
I commented on Count VanConcellos because I saw a super performance doing an incredible trick on a hard floor, one I had never seen. I commented nothing on his training methods, as that was not my intent. I was commenting on high powered performances. I do believe though that it not necessary to due damage to a man's name when he is not here to defend it.
Then you bring in bullfighting, how did we get there?
Another thing was of course you never heard of me when I started, you are circus I was not and like Anja I did a few circus jobs. I got interested in circus because that's where the great's I know of came from.. What is your problem here? Aren't we talking horse training?
Come on Johnny, cool out. -
April 23, 2008 at 10:46 AM
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Casey McCoy Cainan said...
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I hope none of the "PIRANHAS" are left when I go. Because I was less perfect then everyone else, and did things that were wrong when I started training animals. The difference I will note in my generation, as opposed to prior generations, is the prior generations knew deep down that some things are "wrong" but not only continued to do them, but preached them in private as gospel. I hope the next generation will be able to utilize the many things that have been done rite, and do away with the things they see are wrong. I know I have tried to change alot of the things I do. We should all be striving to not be ashamed or afraid to talk about how we train animals, which comes with better techniques. I may also suggest we do not discuss the techniques of trainers that have passed on, for they can not explain, deny, or alibi there actions. This is but my very humbled opinion, from someone not with 40 yrs experience of doing "what ever it takes" but rather 15 years of trying to do what was best for the animal being trained.
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April 23, 2008 at 4:35 PM
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Casey McCoy Cainan said...
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Let us also remember when pointing a finger at rodeo, bull fighting or other trainers, there are generally three other fingers pointing back
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April 23, 2008 at 4:40 PM
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OrMaggie77 said...
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Oh Casey, I do think you are wrong on that point,I believe there would be only ONE finger pointing back....LOL.
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April 23, 2008 at 4:45 PM
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Wade G. Burck said...
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Casey,
I agree about people that are gone and their techniques discussed without an explanation. That's why I was stunned at the hearsay comment allowed to be posted by John Herriott, and wondered why. In response I posted hearsay about a known elephant friend to see if it would post. One posted, one didn't you tell why? Was it an effort to improve, fix, and come clean? Why not run both? Did somebody not like Vosconcello for some ignorant reason, like jealousy, or a long ago perceived slight? Help me understand. Is one sided history healthy? Look at the state of affair compared to others, and you tell me.
Wad -
April 24, 2008 at 1:11 AM
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Anonymous said...
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One problem the circus has had is the refusal to admit that anything at all is wrong and will close ranks with anyone else that is targetted by Peta. I once heard an announcer mention, with great sadness, the passing of a famous Spanish bullfighter, as though bullfighting is somehow related to the circus.
Your mention of Hugo being a severe trainer is remarkable in that I have personally witnessed some of the much lauded trainers on Buckles Blog tear an elephant up on many occasions. Including an elephant who suffered from a severe hernia, and would not lie down. I could only stand to watch 5 minutes of the event, but, she did eventually lie down thanks to the corrective session of the 3, famous trainers involved.
They might be able to force an injured elephant to lie down, but I bet they could never teach one to paint a self portrait.
And, I was only in the business for a quarter of the time Mr. Herriot was, but, I went into training animals because I loved horses since I was a small child, and not to have to be constantly confronted by the outdated, brutal crap of the old school, mud show trainers. There is nothing nostalgic about that side of the circus.
I still read Buckles blog, because it isn't easy to completely rid oneself of a lifetime love affair.
I saw Soleil last night, playing to a sold out (for the whole 3 week stand) house at 85 bucks a ticket. Say what you will about Soeil not being real circus, when was the last time you saw numerous standing ovations at a 'real circus'? The crap that passes for American Circus and the insistence that everything has to be done the same way as it was 50 years ago is the reason the business is dead. Last week I passed an armoury where Walker Bros was showing. There, staked out on the hot parking lot, without an ounce of shade were the few ragged looking ponies, looking like killer auction rejects. It's not PETA, or the price of gas, it's the attitude of boiler-room, Dewey, Cheetum and How, treat animals like equipment, one day stand mentality that has driven the stake into the heart of the circus.
Now, Mr. Burck, let's see how anti-censorship you are and if you'll let this post go through.
Kimberly Moen -
April 24, 2008 at 3:09 PM
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Wade G. Burck said...
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Kimberly,
Welcome. Glad you are here. Oh course you would be posted. You gave a name. Maybe I don't disagree with with alot of what you say. But you almost sound like one of the Pro circus radicals in reverse. You want to be careful of that. It is about intelligent debate, the exchanging of ideas. Not the spitting of venom. Make sure you have your fact's at hand and not your emotions. I have studied the art, and most importantly the Religious significance of the matadors cape movements, and the giving of the vanquished to poor peasants. The elite bulls, the ones who show extraordinary courage as spared and retained as herd sires, in a effort to propagate that rare quality of courage. I believe they honor the bull. I have over 50 books on the subject, and as many videos/Dvd, and hope to have a go at it one day. Manoleto has extended the invitation, if I will teach him how to train a tiger. I am very open minded, and don't expect my view point or beliefs to be stuffed down anybodys throat, and would appreciate the same courtesy.
You will note I quoted told, as in heresy, in mentioning Mr. Schmidtt. I made another post on this site, where I explained why that heresy was written in response to another incidence of heresy. Whats acceptable and what isn't. You walked a fine line, but as I hope you will continue offering useful insight, by returning, I put you through. Accept the rules, and you are more then welcome.
You won't hear me saying anything about Solei not being a circus, because it isn't in the true sense of the word. That's why it is called a Cirque. Don't give me the nonsense of it being French for circus. Location was luck, the name "Cirque" was an effort at being "brand" new, and it is very successful. But a couple of editions have failed. Is it a sign the public is getting tired, and it will have to be reformatted? Is that why there is talk of utilizing animals? Believe me when I tell you this. They did want to use animals when they first opened, but the expense was to chancy for an unproven new traveling show. If it worked the maiden year, animals were to be used for the second tour. They found out they didn't need them to be successful, and that is no reflection of my profession, or Cirque's genius.
In regards to standing ovations, I did get one in Montreal Canada a number of years ago, thank you. I have also enjoyed many European shows. All of which close with a standing ovation, and standing ovations are given through out the performance, the majority of the time for the various animal acts. Often times if you are in Vegas, or insinuate that you are a "theater" the public will buy into it, and give a standing ovation as it is tradition in the theater. Don't read too much into them. They are also sometimes given as a "oh, you tried so hard." I do agree with you about hanging on to tradition as if it were a life line. When I train falcons I use only hand made leather jesses and hoods. I can not tolerate the plastic/synthetic ones of today I use only hand made leather lashes and twisted willow whips. I cannot tolerate the fiberglass ones of today. That's my concession to tradition in the training/keeping of wild animals. Anything else I have distanced my self from long ago.
Come back again,
Best wishes,
Wade Burck -
April 24, 2008 at 5:12 PM
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Casey McCoy Cainan said...
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Ms Moen,
I disagree with some of your comment, and agree with a little of it too. The circus closing ranks with anyone being targeted by P.E.T.A. is a farce. They can't even close ranks with each other to fight the battle. Because of this most have adapted a " they are all fucking nut jobs" mentality that has done the industry so much harm hence forth. Honestly, alot of them are, some people are set in the mind that no animal should be used for entertainment, regardless of it's welfare or training. However some people really just want to see a fair shake for the animals, and that can't be wrong. I take offense at several of your remarks, first "brutal crap of the old school, mud show trainers". Are you suggesting that mud show trainers were more brutal then building show trainers? How many did you know? Did they only do one or the other? Lets hear the facts now. Actually the rest of your comment isn't worth debating, but throwing out fingers like that, I hope this is based on first hand witness testimony, not just what he said to she then back to him. Don't misinterpret my comment, I am not saying you are wrong, I am asking what are you basing this on? one trainer you knew, two, three? Maybe stories from another disgruntled employee? Please respond Madame, the floor is yours. -
April 24, 2008 at 7:07 PM
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Anonymous said...
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Another disgruntled employee? Yes, I was - especially when I found it nearly impossible to provide even the minimal level of care that I believe animals need, because of the nature of one day stands. I had no illusions of being a famous trainer and because I wasn't, I am forever bitter. Not at all. I have been equally disgruntled in non-circus stables that take the care of horses lightly. Having worked under all kinds of conditions, I have developed a standard of housing, training, feeding and grooming that I will no longer compromise. For that reason alone I will never again be part of the circus business.
I didn't use Soleil as an example of circus, but rather what could be possible with circus and a new vision. Soleil did, in fact feature some of Knie's animals in one of their European editions.
The high level of Soleil's acts was only one of the things that impressed me. The attention to every detail was immaculate. After a lifetime of seeing hundreds of different circus performances, most of what I see is, frankly, boring. Isn't the very essence of circus bringing new and unseen features to town?
And, what act wouldn't be inspired to work in such a elaborate setting.
So many American acts develop an act and present the same act year after year without any attempt at creativity. How many times can one see a liberty act consisting of changes, waltz, wheel and a rear and still be enthralled?
Of course, you can't really compare a high level competition dressage horse that is shown 12 times a year and trained daily for the rest of the year to a circus horse that does the same 8 minute routine twice a day for 7-8 months a year and then sits in tie stall for the other four.
When the average circus goer gives wild applause to a bow or rear that takes a couple of weeks to train and sits numb for a rythmic beautiful piaffe, there isn't much incentive for excellence other than personal pride.
In Europe, there is greater incentive and long stands where animals can rehearse daily. Many have excellent winter facilities and adequate staff to make training easier. Here, it seems to be an after thought.
It all boils down to the slavish attachment to the tradition of one day stands that beat the equipment, performers and animals up. And almost no one will ask whether there is a better way. Possibly because emulating the success of the big European shows would be seen as turning your back on America's circus history. False pride that has resulted in the sad state our our shows. I a fiercly patriotic American but not blind to seeing where someone overseas may do things better. For me, the thrill of climbing up muddy seat boards to watch acts that took 2 months to throw together has long ago dissapeared. I will spend top dollar to see a show that is actually amazing and entertaining. And, obviously the public will too. You can say what you want about corporate sponsors, Big Apple still fills thier tent day after day after day with high ticket prices, so there must be a lot of money flowing through those gates.
And, Casey, this is in no way a slam on small tent shows. There is a place for every level of the craft - and there are hundreds of small circuses in Europe too. My issue is with the bigger shows and acts here that seem to be completely apathetic. If Soleil can take college gymnasts and train them in acts that put the best independant acts to shame, then why can't performers who are born into the business and will make it their lifetime career do the same?
Kimberly -
April 24, 2008 at 8:23 PM
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Wade G. Burck said...
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Casey my friend,
You just pulled a Pro Circus Radical move. You pointed a finger someplace else.
"I take offense at several of your remarks, first "brutal crap of the old school, mud show trainers". Are you suggesting that mud show trainers were more brutal then building show trainers?"
Sorry friend, but I don't see where she suggested that at all. But you may have "suggested" she look at another stereotype "building show trainers"
When Kimberley said,I once heard an announcer mention, with great sadness, the passing of a famous Spanish bullfighter, as though bullfighting is somehow related to the circus. I didn't think she was suggesting anything about bull fighting. But it gave me the chance to explain how I feel about it and why. I could have mentioned the passing of a great performer. But some Pro radicals will disagree with that. What did the passing of a horse trainer who has never been in the circus have to do with anything. I appreciate all fine animal training, and chose to wish him well on his journey to the next life. What if I had pulled a Pro radical? "That guy should have been shot saying bullfighter and circus together in the same breath. Their crap sucks, they kill their animals and we don't. We love them and they are our family." Pretty healthy, and has sure worked things out in our favor hasn't it.
Wade -
April 24, 2008 at 8:57 PM
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Wade G. Burck said...
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Kimberly,
Whoa. Brilliant and well said. Thank you, you just spoke volumes, and It sure doesn't sound like you are anti circus, like some suggested. I wish I had checked incoming comments, before I responded.
Casey, does it sound like she suggested anything of use to us and our profession?
Are you currently in the equine field, Kimberley? You have great insight, and I would like to chat further. wburck3@aol.com
Please come back again.
Wad -
April 24, 2008 at 9:25 PM
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Anonymous said...
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Wade, I am not in the equine business. It takes a massive amount of money to maintain show horses. I had a few pleasure horses of my own for some years, but found I was more interested in training tricks and liberty moves than actually riding. I absolutely love the communication that you can develop with a horse through lunge training. It's like magic for me. I was never great and never will be, but I am a passionate fan of circus horses that are well trained and cared for. It is frustrating to me that, even as a nobody who no one would give the time of day to in any backyard in the world has more passion for the art of circus horse training than many established circus trainers.
Can you imagine what could be possible with the money to assemble a group of show- conformation horses and a couple of years of training in ideal conditions? Imagine circus horses groomed and harnessed to the standard of the show world?
I would love nothing better than for circus trainers to get recognition from the horse world, but that will not happen without the money and dedication of time. And that seems to be in short supply.
Cats are a mystery to me, and anyone who can train an animal without direct contact through a leash or lunge or bridle is a magician. I can't even wrap my mind around what you do.
Anyway, you are correct, I am in no way anti-circus. But I am extremely dissapointed that so few people have the interest in seeing this art form continue to evolve to it's potential. Non-circus horse people are cruelly critical and that has spurred competitors to get better and better. Cicus trainers are more interested in getting along at Showfolks. Any honest criticism is seen as heresy.
If I was 20 years younger, I'd pack up my chewing tobacco and shovel shit for the Knies for the rest of my life just to be in the atmosphere of that level of excellence. They wouldn't even have to pay me - I'd do it for wurste and chaw.
That's my soapbox. Thanks for allowing me to vent my opinions. This must be the only place in the world where that's permissible.
Kim -
April 24, 2008 at 10:10 PM
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Wade G. Burck said...
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Kim,
You are a breath of needed fresh air, and I know exactly how you feel. A lot of younger generation circus people saw the Feld/Gebel era dissolve before our eyes, and a number of us, not being"royalty" or "blue blood" felt effortless to stop it, being chocked down in the "good old day's". When you realize you can breath, and it's all right to question, cause they got theirs, and they really don't care any more, and who's story do you believe, it is wonderful.
Thank you
Wade -
April 24, 2008 at 10:42 PM
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Anonymous said...
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Kim, hoorah for you. Come join me and we'll start a real Equus Magical Encounter course we may trip over each other's canes.
Loved your comments. -
April 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM
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Casey McCoy Cainan said...
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My point being, besides Wade I don't think there are any "building show trainers" because they all started and learned their craft as "tent show trainers" So how could one be worse then the other, unless the insinuation is that making short 50 miles jumps every day is worse for an animal then making 3 300 miles jumps a week. Or the fact that on a tent show you are out in the open view of the public all day, with animals on display. opposed to being in a barn out behind the building with security and zero public viewing. The nature of one day stands that made it impossible to care for the animals was what exactly? How is an 8 month season of one day stands traveling for example here at KM 8000 miles, harder on the equipment and animals then say for example Jordan doing 9 months in buildings, alot of which are one day stands and traveling about 39,000 miles? I would like to know the answer. Wade, I am not going PRO CIRCUS on this yet, I just feel that tent shows are easier on an animal then a building show, and I feel it can be proven as fact. I however don't believe either is harmful to an animal if proper care is taken. Not pointing any finger, just looking for the truth. Now days, thank the AR movement, scrutiny is at a high, and circus animals in general are living much better lives on the road, and generally have good living conditions at WQ's. The training of animals has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, I know because I remember some of it. I think it "is" evolving, slowly, because tradition is a tough nut to crack. Luckily alot of the "old timers" have convinced their children to move into others fields of work (you'd think maybe they knew the damage done)opening alot of windows for fresh air to get in to a stale art. I respect the fact that you love the circus, and have a desire to properly care for animals. I misread you at first, I apologize. Please return, we built this site for just this sort of conversation.
I feel the frustration on the bow vs piaffe thing daily, when the biggest crowd reaction during my cat act is when the cat running to the stretch bar lunges over at me and I jump back from harms way. This was never trained or practiced, unlike the hind leg walk that was a years work in progress and got half the response. I am often times disappointed in what people find entertaining. -
April 25, 2008 at 10:12 AM
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Wade G. Burck said...
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Casey,
If that's the case, you are not selling that hind leg walk right. Make it a suprise, like the jump and roar. Don't let them know it is coming. Done that way, it can get a standing ovation. I've seen it.
Wade -
April 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
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Anonymous said...
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Casey,
In regards to the old time mud show performers. It was not a comparrison of tent show versus building.
What I'm talking about are the much lauded 'salt of the earth' old timers like Dory and his trainers, who made it their lifetime work to provide the minimum to keep an animal alive. On many occasions I saw the elephants staked on parking lots in 90+ degree Texas heat. One of these colorful characters bragged about rarely having given an elephant a bath in his life. The exact quote being "these bulls will never see a drop of water unless it rains". I wonder how many giraffes Dory went through? it was almost as though premature animal death was an expected thing if you had the money to replace them.
The old timers would rather pay a drunk $50 to care for the animals than hire an interested younger person who actually had an interest in the business. And, they got what they payed for.
In regard to the one day stands. How is it even possible to set up stable tents and box stalls on one day stands with minimal help? How is it possible to set up comfortable seating, elaborate ring entrances and sawdust filled rings, when the crew is driven to the breaking point already? And, don't you think a tent set up 100 times a year would get worn out faster than one set up 25 times? The reason why the European tents are so spotless is that drop cloths are laid down, or, the tent never touches the ground at all.
For me, tents are what the circus is all about. My earliest memories of the circus as a child (overseas) is the rich smell of animals and sawdust in a big top. The heavy velvet drapes were like the gift wrap on a present, hiding the magical things to come. The feeling of excitement and anticipation has stayed with me for 50 years, and I have spent all those years trying to re-capture it.
One memory that sticks with me is, having walked 5 miles to hang around the circus lot, I snuck into the tent to watch the elephants practice, and then immediately after that, one of the clowns (Charlie Bale) came into the tent and practised a solo on the trumpet (Tom Jones' Delilah). The sound echoing in the empty tent is as vivid today as it was then. This show carried many horses and ponies stabled in box stalls under long tents. Most of them never even appeared in the show. I assume they were in training for the following season. All kinds of breeds and colors. German trainer Ella Berman and her husband were the cat and elephant trainers on the show, and every year they presented a completely different act. One year it might be all lions, the next it might be a mixed act including tigers, leopards and panthers (one of which grabbed a kid through the mesh arena once) . They were very kind people and let me help carry the smelly buckets of freshly cut meat when they fed the cats. One funny thing was that some of the elephants were allowed to wander around the lot by themselves. Every so often Adriaan Berman would stick his head out of the trailer and whistle, and they would scamper back into eyesight. - it was heaven for this kid.
I may not know what color Terrel Jacobs cage wagons were painted, but you won't find a bigger circus fan in the world than me.
So, no Casey, my post was not any kind of slam on what you do. KM is one of the nicest medium sized shows around, but you have to admit how much easier it would be to wake up every day to a show, and your arena set up and available for practice any time you wanted. Actually, I remeber you from your juggling days and admire your dedication in sticking with what you love.
PS, checked out your web site - loved your music.
Best Wishes, always.
Kim -
April 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
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I would also like to get off the subject, but then I find that I am instructed in the art of horsemanship after being in the trenches for over sixty years and have credentials in this field with every major American Circus plus plus. This off the wall stable that Wade refers to that trains [and I use that term loosely] some eighty horses daily, or as he says, schools them. In what; walk, trot and cantor? Come on, get off the BS. I amreferring to the, as you suggest the complete training of High School or Dressage.
Diane; All circus horses run in a circle and around a oval hippodrome track and I have worked , as a twenty yr. old person, horses that were all older than me, and were all sound. My wife rode a Circus Williams completely trained Lippizaner about 27 yrs. old. I have never heard of any circus horse being retired because of stressful leg problems from running or performing. Generally they retire because the show went broke. Please no more excuses. Excuses legit. or fabricated do not get the job done.
22 April, 2008 16:16
Your observation about training time in regard to circus training and that we don't know what we are doing, coming from a person who has never trained or even ridden a sophisticated High School horse, and seems to be a disciple of Miss Olds-Rossi and something to do with training of Ar4ab horses, who happen to be the worst candidates for High School or Dressage. I can't believe you would be so bold in addressing issues that you do not know the first thing about. I refuse to comment on the subject any longer and wish you and the other person well. I note no comments on the recent John Herriott liberty photos. I am sure you will use some snide remarks to overcome [or spin] your i8gnorance on the subject. Good luck on your insistance to be recognized for whatever suits you at the moment. I admire you and others who, say are North Dakota boys that made good. I am quite humble on my successes in the field, which are many, and am surprised that you show no humility at all, and belkieve it or not, did not invent the wheel and certainly are not the "second Coming".
22 April, 2008 17:17
Johnny, I also am going to say this last thing about high-school horses. The last real high school horse I saw in the circus was Voscancello (sorry can't spell his name). The high school horses of that era and the way I was schooled were bold and exciting horses not the laid back horses that are seen today. A very good strong high school horse could not stand the rigors of today's ground. Yes, the manage horses that do a little of this, a little of that do hold up well, they are taking care of themselves and the riders know no difference. Since I think you know only of those circus high school horses they are not what I am talking about, but huge moving exciting horses that give everything they've got in a 5 minute performance. These horses are so trained that each movement is controlled and at the exact timing to the music will change into another movement. I think I am wasting my time and since you believe you have seen it all, you cannot possibly know that which I speak. Why not we just agree to disagree because I have seen the horses which you speak and they are not the same. If you have never heard of a circus horse being retired because of lameness then you live in a very special world and wish I had been there. When you are riding a high powered Andalusian pounding on hard homosote over cement day after day something is going to give sooner or later. I guess you had better luck than me.
By the way I have had some notoriously good Arabian high school horses, although they didn't move as big, the certainly were a beautiful thing to see.
22 April, 2008 17:58
That you would suggest that VanConcellos epitimizes the art of Haute Ecole or Highy School is unbelievable. The art of Bull Fighting is obvious a very cruel sport and when the Bull fighter is on horseback makes it even more cruel and the injuries to the horses and the spurring and jerking of the rider are not very humane and this is the credentials of the Count. People I was with on Ringling who were there during the saga of the Count and had no bone to pick and were in the production personnel dept. relate that he showed no mercy in riding, had extreme temperment ande his horses would leave the tent with bloody sides and after the act in the back door area he would continue his tirades to a horse foaming with sweat. It is docunmented that in Madison square garden a fight of enormous proportions broke out between Arthur Konyot and the Count, with one of them going to jail. So much for the Count.
Now, yes I have seen it all, so to speak, in my time starting as a youth with a horse trainer father and believe I would pre-date you in my professional circus horse awareness as I recaqll when I was already recognized in the field that you brought yourself and horses to Dorita for lessons and at the time non of us circus horse people were aware of you.
Now Mr. Heyer is recognized by everyone in the field of High School riding and training for two generations that I am aware of tobe, with Starless Night, the finest High School horse of those times and his horse YoYo preceeded that. Yes, I did work on shows with Mr. Heyer on a couple occasions and saw him at county fairs where they appeared. He was the opposite of the Count in every way and everyone always remarked that his cues were invisible and he and the horse performed as one. He was so highly recognized in the field by his peers that there was no envy or jealousy. He was that good. He treated his horse as a horse and never made a big deal about where, what or whatever. I am not a judge or jury, but just telling it like it was, and as a young man, he, Clyde Beatty, Jack Joyce, Robert Baudy and my father were my idols, along with the great Cristiani Family. It did not get any better than that. I must include Jorgen Cristiansen and Adolf Delbosq as well and I was quite close with both of them.
23 April, 2008 08:42