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RIC-6946 The Comprehension Box 1 - Sample student cards

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Silver 4<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

7<br />

8<br />

Horse ballet<br />

Can you imagine watching a horse perform ballet? Well,<br />

would you believe that at the Spanish Riding School,<br />

magnificent Lipizzaner stallions are trained in the art of<br />

classical dressage, or horse ballet!<br />

Before the Spanish Riding School was formed,<br />

Lipizzaners were used as cavalry horses. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

were chosen because of their great strength. <strong>The</strong><br />

movements that are practised today in the riding<br />

school had been used for many years by the horses<br />

and their riders on the battlefield.<br />

Just like human ballet dancers, the stallions and their<br />

riders have to train for years. <strong>The</strong>re are many difficult<br />

movements for them to learn.<br />

Airs above the ground are spectacular steps in which the horse raises<br />

his legs above the ground. For example:<br />

5<br />

6<br />

Capriole – the horse leaps in the air and kicks<br />

his hind legs out before coming down. This<br />

would have been a very useful movement on<br />

the battlefield!<br />

Levade – the horse rears up with his front legs<br />

tucked into his chest. He holds this position<br />

for a few seconds before coming down. This<br />

movement is not as dramatic as others but it<br />

needs great skill and muscle control.<br />

Courbette – this is like the levade but the horse<br />

jumps for a few steps on his hind legs before<br />

coming down. This is one of the most impressive<br />

steps to watch. It takes great skill for the rider to<br />

remain on the horse’s back!<br />

©R.I.C. Publications<br />

Low Resolution Images<br />

Display Copy<br />

Visitors can enjoy the show either at a practice in<br />

the morning or at a gala performance at night.<br />

At any time of day, it is a wonderful experience.<br />

R.I.C. Publications ® <strong>Comprehension</strong> box 1 (134)<br />

Prim-Ed Publishing

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