A Westbrook rider will perform this weekend with the famed Herrmann’s Original Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria in charitable shows at Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center, 63 Justin Merrill Road in Buxton.
Morgan McDonald, a riding instructor at the Buxton facility, was selected to ride a celebrated white stallion in the shows.
“It’s cool,” McDonald said following a rehearsal on Aug. 28.
Performances are set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4; 1 and 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5; and 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 6.
Stephanie Keene, owner of Hearts & Horses, said those attending the shows will be afforded opportunity to visit the royal stallions, touch them and snap photos.
“It makes it a unique experience,” Keene said.
The line of white stallions was developed in the 16th century for the Hapsburg royal family. The stallions performed also last weekend at Hearts & Horses.
To rehearse during a live TV broadcast, the horses and riders were up at 4 a.m. on Aug. 28. Karen Rice, also a riding instructor at Hearts & Horses, rode in shows last weekend and in rehearsals. Rice, who has since returned to college, received a text message from her mother.
“You’re on the news,” Rice quoted the message.
The stallions usually practice 15 to 20 minutes daily.
“Give your horses all a treat ladies,” Gabriella Herrmann said following the early rehearsal last week.
Herrmann said favorite treats include sugar, carrots and apples. The stallions chow down on grain twice daily and munch hay fed four times each day.
When not on the road, Herrmann is based at her farm in Florida, where she maintaains 30 horses including retirees and rescued horses. The present tour includes 12 white stallions and they are stabled at Hearts & Horses.
They previously performed in Buxton in 2012 and 2013. Herrmann said they travel three months each year.
“We look forward to coming here,” Herrmann said.
Herrmann said the horses are looking when they hear cameras click and they are audience oriented. The horses “ feed off the energy of the crowd,” Keene said.
Ticket prices for this weekend at Hearts & Horses are $15, in advance and $20 at the door. Keene said a third of the proceeds would benefit scholarships for the therapeutic riding center.
For tickets, call Hearts & Horses at 929-4700 or visit heartsnhorses.org. Shows are held rain oir shine in an indoor arena and parking is free.
One of Herrmann’s Original Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria takes a bow for rider Gabriella Herrmann following a recent rehearsal for shows this weekend at Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center in Buxton. Staff photo by Robert LowellSend questions/comments to the editors.
