LIPIZZANER STALLIONS

2 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Verizon Arena. $24.35-$31.35.

Of
all of Verizon Arena’s annual events — the Globetrotters, the Gaithers,
Monster Trucks, wrestling — this one is the most bad-ass. Granted,
there’s a lot to peel back before you get to the essence of the
Lipizzan. Epaulet-adorned jackets are de rigueur for those who ride the
centuries-old breed. And riders do so in a style called dressage, which
is all about harmony between horse and rider, but, at its highest
levels, embraces moves that recall both ballet and battle. The latter
is what makes the Lipizzan “world famous.” In four ancient maneuvers
called “Airs Above the Ground,” the horses do moves originally intended
for war. Each has a name — Mezair, Capriole, Courbette, Levade — that
sounds misleadingly effete. One involves a horse “punching” with his
forequarters. Another, the most difficult apparently, features the
horse hopping on its hindquarters in a move meant to break through
infantry lines while protecting the rider. Yet another finds the horse
leaping and kicking mid-leap, presumably to ward off pursuers while
jumping gulleys. Still, I bet they still look real pretty amidst all
the equine boxing.

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