Artania performs first Rockwall show

David Wilfong

By David Wilfong

Herald-Banner Staff

The Russian equestrian circus that has been making big headlines since being abandoned by its promoter in a Dallas parking lot is well settled into its new Rockwall accomodations and has begun making plans to carry on the show from here.

The first show was held last Saturday and ended with an enthusiastic standing ovation and cheers from the hometown Texas crowd.

About 125 people gathered for the preview show that was put together and promoted mostly via e-mail in less than a week. The circus troop set up its bleachers at one end of the riding cacility and a huge drape provided a separation wall upon which the circus was able to construct its actual set.

The show began with circus clowns working their way out to the audience. Dancers, contortionists and feats of balance and skill were also offered up as circus-style standards.

But it’s the horses and the cavalry traditions of medieval North Ossetia that is the calling card for “Artania,” and the turning point in the performance comes with an almost casual, but solemn, march of the horses in period costume out onto the circular performing area.

From there the pace picked up frantically, and ages-old riding skills were performed at full gallop in the ring with riders bouncing from the floor to horseback, up, over and under the running stallions.

One more daring rider even performed a back flip from the back of a running horse, through the air and landed on his feet atop the still-galloping animal.

There were also slow but meaningful moments, such as the reenactment of a horse returning to a battlefield to stoop down and retrieve a fallen warrior.

This weekend there will be a full slate of performances starting today at 8 p.m. On Saturday there will be two shows at noon and 8 p.m. and on Sunday there will be a 6 p.m. performance.

The original times for the performances were changed to facilitate a more comfortable temperature for the audiences.

Though there were no temperature-related complaints from the first audience, Blackmon said that since the first performance there have been generators donated to power an increased number of fans in the riding arena.

The show prices are $35 for general admission and $75 for VIP tables. The VIP seating requires an advanced reservation.

The shows will help the group recover the funds necessary to get on with their U.S. tour before returning to Canada.

Black Star Sport Horses is located at 5565 Farm-to-Market 549 in Rockwall. For more information call Lisa Blackmon at 940-367-7815.