A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Christel Sembach-Krone
While I may think the term "circus royalty" is goofy, if one person did deserve that title it would be this women.
I would imagine that circus families that have been training horses for generations have an enormous advantage having encountered every possible situation, every personality type of every kind of animal, and eliminated any trial and error. Also, a fantastic resource of all the different routines they have produced, to draw from. I used to think that about the Schumanns too, and admire and envy all those noble clans. I know that if I had a choice in the matter, I would have loved to have been born into one of those families. Heck, I would have liked to shovel dung for one of those families.
Ian, Good point. But is is sometimes difficult for the next generation to live up to the past, particularly with the "back bitting" that can occur in a closed society that can't see past a 40 foot circle. I admire my son greatly because he is doing it, and admired Mark Gebel as well as the Graham and Richard Chipperfields of the Circus world. There is a well known elephant trainer in Europe who does not want his son to train elephants just because of what he knows he would have to endure. The lucky ones, are the ones who followed mediocrity. They have pretty smooth sailing ahead. Sometimes when breeding a "line" unless you are vigilant for "full particulars" at the end of many generations you may have what's called a cull. LOL Wade
Dianne, See the 6 Palominos, 6 Arabians, and 6 Friesians up above. That's 18 stallions, and an ton of testosterone to control and mold to your will. If the show is off, it is a rare exception that they are not worked every morning. One morning Jana was exercising them, and the Ms. Sembach-Krone was sitting in the seats in back watching with her Dalmation. The dog started goofing, and Ms. Sembach-Krone raised her voice to correct it. 18 Stallions tried to come out of their check reins to see where she was at. That's the same "presence" you have with your noble steeds, and it is rare and wonderful to see. She steps into the ring to practice, and there is a calmness/I'm in my world, that comes over her that is visual. Wade
With no disrespect in the fact of circus dynastys and family generations in the equestrian arts. I believe that when Freida Krone married tiger trainer Carl Sembach that he in turn was responsible for the great Krone liberty acts, with himself in being a marvelous trainer [I believe] and just a sensational presenter of 24 in the ring with his masterful subtle presence guiding them in their routine and he in turn would bring the delight of circus horsemanship to his only daughter and she in turn would contiue on even adding wonderful High School to her reportoire. Her mother and I believe the founder of the dynasty, her grandfather Karl Krone would be more acclaimed for their great performing elephants. So tho0se generations do not go too far back compared to other great European circus families and sadly Cristal is an only child and has no biological heirs I believe. I am certainly no authority on this subject, but have been intrigued since I saw movies of Sembach with 24 and Freida with sizeable elephant display and watched from afar the budding career of Cristal. Fortunately I was introduced to them [Carl and Freida along with red bearded Rolf Knie] by Trolle Rhodin while serving as Perf. Director of The GSOE in Miami Beach. I was awed to be in their presence you can be sure.
Photos that leave one speechless!! Every day I look for pictures of Max and Albert Schuman .....Also, does anyone have a picture of the great Elly Strassburger?? They all had CLASS!! no spangles, beads or rhinestones were necessary fatima
Johnny, Jana Mandana has been with Ms. Sembach-Krone since she was a young girl, and does a great job with the horses, elephants, and exotics, so yes the "dynasty" as you suggest will continue. Some might suggest with the Lacey out cross, that they have doubled up on the feline/elephant,ring stock genes for more performance ability. Wait a minute, did you say tiger trainer Carl Sembach was a great horse trainer? I didn't think that was possible. Wade
Fatima, Our blog friend Laszlo from Hungary, has also asked for Elly Strassburger pictures. I have searched, and can't find any. I wonder why there are so few? Possibly, Laszlo will send some our way. I posted a couple of Max and Paulina a while back that I bought from the "World famous circus emporium/boutique", Dime's Store. Wade
I forgot to include that in my humble opinion.....our Mr John Herriot would fit right in between Max and Albert....Also, would not need rhinstones.... fatima
Fatima, I agree with you about the John Herriott statement, but I disagree about the rhinestone deal. In royal circles they are known as diamonds, and on a Queens head they are called a tiara. I think it adds much to her already royal bearing. And if our John Herriott wasn't glowing at the moment he would probably reference something about the "sizzle and not the steak", as he has in the past. LOL Wade
Thank you Fatima for your kind words. I am very pleased that you recall parts of my career.
Years ago I met Ellie Strasburger and she serv3ed us lunch [its a long story], anyway she, similar to circus owner Freida Krone had also married a wild animal trainer named Harry Belli. [At this time her Circus Strassburger was appearing as a Holiday spectacular combined with Castillo-Circus America from Spain] Here is when I first saw Pedro, the great Spainish lion trainer.
While I may think the term "circus royalty" is goofy, if one person did deserve that title it would be this women.
I would imagine that circus families that have been training horses for generations have an enormous advantage having encountered every possible situation, every personality type of every kind of animal, and eliminated any trial and error. Also, a fantastic resource of all the different routines they have produced, to draw from.
ReplyDeleteI used to think that about the Schumanns too, and admire and envy all those noble clans.
I know that if I had a choice in the matter, I would have loved to have been born into one of those families. Heck, I would have liked to shovel dung for one of those families.
Ian
Ian,
ReplyDeleteGood point. But is is sometimes difficult for the next generation to live up to the past, particularly with the "back bitting" that can occur in a closed society that can't see past a 40 foot circle. I admire my son greatly because he is doing it, and admired Mark Gebel as well as the Graham and Richard Chipperfields of the Circus world. There is a well known elephant trainer in Europe who does not want his son to train elephants just because of what he knows he would have to endure. The lucky ones, are the ones who followed mediocrity. They have pretty smooth sailing ahead. Sometimes when breeding a "line" unless you are vigilant for "full particulars" at the end of many generations you may have what's called a cull. LOL
Wade
What a great picture. That's class.
ReplyDeleteDianne,
ReplyDeleteSee the 6 Palominos, 6 Arabians, and 6 Friesians up above. That's 18 stallions, and an ton of testosterone to control and mold to your will. If the show is off, it is a rare exception that they are not worked every morning. One morning Jana was exercising them, and the Ms. Sembach-Krone was sitting in the seats in back watching with her Dalmation. The dog started goofing, and Ms. Sembach-Krone raised her voice to correct it. 18 Stallions tried to come out of their check reins to see where she was at. That's the same "presence" you have with your noble steeds, and it is rare and wonderful to see. She steps into the ring to practice, and there is a calmness/I'm in my world, that comes over her that is visual.
Wade
With no disrespect in the fact of circus dynastys and family generations in the equestrian arts. I believe that when Freida Krone married tiger trainer Carl Sembach that he in turn was responsible for the great Krone liberty acts, with himself in being a marvelous trainer [I believe] and just a sensational presenter of 24 in the ring with his masterful subtle presence guiding them in their routine and he in turn would bring the delight of circus horsemanship to his only daughter and she in turn would contiue on even adding wonderful High School to her reportoire. Her mother and I believe the founder of the dynasty, her grandfather Karl Krone would be more acclaimed for their great performing elephants. So tho0se generations do not go too far back compared to other great European circus families and sadly Cristal is an only child and has no biological heirs I believe. I am certainly no authority on this subject, but have been intrigued since I saw movies of Sembach with 24 and Freida with sizeable elephant display and watched from afar the budding career of Cristal. Fortunately I was introduced to them [Carl and Freida along with red bearded Rolf Knie] by Trolle Rhodin while serving as Perf. Director of The GSOE in Miami Beach. I was awed to be in their presence you can be sure.
ReplyDeletePhotos that leave one speechless!!
ReplyDeleteEvery day I look for pictures of Max and Albert Schuman .....Also, does anyone have a picture of the great Elly Strassburger?? They all had CLASS!! no spangles, beads or rhinestones were necessary
fatima
Johnny,
ReplyDeleteJana Mandana has been with Ms. Sembach-Krone since she was a young girl, and does a great job with the horses, elephants, and exotics, so yes the "dynasty" as you suggest will continue. Some might suggest with the Lacey out cross, that they have doubled up on the feline/elephant,ring stock genes for more performance ability.
Wait a minute, did you say tiger trainer Carl Sembach was a great horse trainer? I didn't think that was possible.
Wade
Fatima,
ReplyDeleteOur blog friend Laszlo from Hungary, has also asked for Elly Strassburger pictures. I have searched, and can't find any. I wonder why there are so few? Possibly, Laszlo will send some our way.
I posted a couple of Max and Paulina a while back that I bought from the "World famous circus emporium/boutique", Dime's Store.
Wade
I forgot to include that in my humble opinion.....our Mr John Herriot would fit right in between Max and Albert....Also, would not need rhinstones....
ReplyDeletefatima
Fatima,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the John Herriott statement, but I disagree about the rhinestone deal. In royal circles they are known as diamonds, and on a Queens head they are called a tiara. I think it adds much to her already royal bearing. And if our John Herriott wasn't glowing at the moment he would probably reference something about the "sizzle and not the steak", as he has in the past. LOL
Wade
Wade
Thank you Fatima for your kind words. I am very pleased that you recall parts of my career.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I met Ellie Strasburger and she serv3ed us lunch [its a long story], anyway she, similar to circus owner Freida Krone had also married a wild animal trainer named Harry Belli. [At this time her Circus Strassburger was appearing as a Holiday spectacular combined with Castillo-Circus America from Spain] Here is when I first saw Pedro, the great Spainish lion trainer.