Michael Blowhard writes:

Dear Blowhards --

You thought Travolta radiated "it" when he showed off the white suit in "Saturday Night Fever"? You knew, just knew, that Michael Jackson had "it" when he moonwalked through "Billie Jean"? Well, make way for a similar blast of charisma and exuberance -- this time from a 9 year old Danish mare named Blue Hors Matine.

Link thanks to Charlton Griffin. When does web-surfin' Charlton find time to make all those audiobooks anyway?

Best,

Michael

P.S.:Is anyone having trouble posting comments? I've heard from one would-be commenter whose comment kept being rejected for "questionable content." I'm baffled, I apologize, I love questionable content, and I'm trying to figure out why our comments function is acting so prissy and intrusive. Of course, if you're having trouble posting a comment, how would you be able to post a comment to let me know about it ...

First.

Comments are dependent--content dependent! We have simple instructions: First!

Posted by: Brian Hadd on June 8, 2007 3:37 PM

Geez, Michael! I can't stay behind a mic ALL the time.

Posted by: Charlton Griffin on June 8, 2007 3:46 PM

Poor horsie, it's a pain to look at her.
I hate it when magnificent animal like that is forced to imitate people, either in circus or in sports.
Races - that's totally a different matter.

Posted by: Tat on June 8, 2007 5:46 PM

Reminds me of the Boston Pops Orchestra when it would lumber into its rendition of a quick tempo jazz tune. In other words, here's this massive majestic beast straightjacketed into taking itty bitty mincing steps. Borderline grotesque.

Posted by: ricpic on June 9, 2007 1:32 PM

I have to agree, dear Tat,
even if my reasons are different. Have a look at the tail of the horse - just to see, that she is anything else then relaxed (as a well ridden and trained dressage-horse should be shown and ridden)

Barbara

Posted by: Barbara on June 9, 2007 2:32 PM

Tat, Barbara, and Ric:

In general, I agree with you. But...

Having been around horses, I know that many very obviously love to perform, to please their trainers or caregivers - be it a race, a cutting event, a rodeo, or show dancing. Quite intelligent animals, and most are born clowns.

Yes, of course, it isn't their "natural" environment, and the show dancing is a contrived and learned behavior to be sure, but what a pleasure it is to watch such a magnificent animal.

I guess it all depends on your viewpoint of "working class" animals, such as those in zoos, circuses, or rodeos. There are horror stories aplenty to go 'round about human cruelty to animals, and perhaps this is how you view the performance?

Posted by: Cowtown Pattie on June 9, 2007 10:40 PM

CP - I must admit, I was impressed with the tremendous amount of work, on both the part of the horse and the rider/trainer, that had to go into making such a performance work. Also, I don't think the horse was mistreated in any way. That said, was the result - sorta like forcing a squeak out of a elephant - worth all the effort?

Posted by: ricpic on June 10, 2007 8:52 AM

No, dear Pattie,
that's not my point of view. I guess, the clip is from last year's World Equestrian Games and we ( I and some other "horsey" friends) had long discussions about just this couple and it's ( sorry, my English is not, what it should be ) judging. The body of the for this sport rather young horse expresses pure stress and not what dressage-judges are normally looking for. One of the many examples, which explain why horse-people are sceptical about dressage as we are used to see it.

Barbara

Posted by: Barbara on June 10, 2007 8:58 AM

Ah, now I see what you were saying, Barbara.

Dressage versus rodeo, perhaps it is my Texas background, but rodeo and cutting horses seem to have real jobs, whereas dressage horses are all show?

Posted by: Cowtown Pattie on June 10, 2007 3:46 PM

No, Pattie, I don't think there is any cruelty here. But every animal looks the best when it performs in the most natural way. Dolphins swim and jump, not, say, flap their fins imitating applause. Horses, tigers, lions and antelopes - run, not try to dance polka. I hate to see an elephant balancing on his hind leg with the rest in the air, or a bear "begging" in a pseudo-human pose.
My aversion is mostly aesthetical.

Posted by: Tat on June 10, 2007 7:33 PM






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