Environments--How they are a factor.

There is always discussion amongst "experts"( as our friend John Cooper points out, expert is actually two words, ex which is another word for has been, and spurts which is a drip under pressure LOL) on which country is best Europe or America. That's because they are either from Europe or from America. And they don't know what they are talking about just because somebody is their friend, and somebody is not. I will say again, environment plays an important part in what is perceived as better. Americans are not better feline trainers then Europeans. We just had a larger venue, in which big animal acts were needed, and smaller acts look and smaller acts are just as important to a smaller venue. We are not better Elephant trainers as some like to suggest. Americans work close with the elephants, and depend on the hook for the behaviors, to "go fast" which is the American spectators desire. Elephants are considered a liberty animal in Europe and are worked from a distance and the dependence is on the whip. That's the difference in the two countries. Horse acts are not better in Europe they have a different environment. Below is two short video's to illustrate different environments, and how they are a factor in what can be done and with what ease. Those are called "intangibles" in discussing who is better. The first video is of the very skilled Sasha Houcke and 3 of the acts he trained when he was with Ringling and he is in the center ring. You will note in addition to all the room( and the room is now less then it used to be 15 years ago) the animals have to run if they so choose, the rings have different "back doors" and the acts face different audiences. The second video is of the equally skilled Fredy Knie in a European one ring Cirque. It will illustrate what I refer to as a "living round pen". It would almost take an act of God to get a horse to jump the ring, and run into what? It makes it easier to make nice big liberty act like Europe is know for. It is about individuals not country's or nationality's. I know of some American trainers who have gone to Europe to work and failed miserably, and I have known some Europeans who have come here and failed miserably. I'll bet anything Fredy Knie would be just as great here, as was Daniel Suskow and Sasha Houcke. Because they are skilled enough to "adapt to their environment." And the more versed and learned the fans and friends become of that fact, the less chance they will promote mediocrity because it was nice to them or signed an autograph. If you become an afficanato you promote the craft wisely, and not individuals personally.

Sasha Houcke on Ringling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ3UdtK6NqI

Fredy Knie in Europe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJpNZ9apHs