ARTS AND ENTERTAINEMENT
Espace Fontvieille – Monté Carlo – Principality of Monaco 16th to 25th January 2020 Text by: William Richardot de Choisey Translation by: Sonja Smaldone Pictures Private collection
The purebred Arabian horse has been a constant presence at both Fairs and Beauty Exhibitions for a long time, particularly, at national and international morphology events or competitions; however, he is also known or used by fans of horseback riding, both in their free time and in sports events of all kinds. Since the 19th century, the purebred Arabian horse has managed to captivate famous professional animators for his extraordinary versatility in private and in public presentations, most of the times, they are genuine horsemen with a solid equestrian knowledge who are
able to show like few others the beauty of this horse, his extraordinary versatility and surprising aptitude for what it is called the ‘Art of the Circus’: the latter being, in its way, a conservatory of the basics of Dressage and classical Haute-Ecole. In the 18th century, famous British horseman Philippe Atsley invented a 13-meter circular track where the horse could gallop far better than before and equestrian stunts or free presentations could be performed at their best, also the first female riders could present horses to the public. It was in the same period, in 1803, that Cirque National Knie was created by Friederich Knie
and his brothers in Rapperswill, Switzerland. They came from a famous family-run business that laid the groundwork for special activities, which continue to exist nowadays through many descendants of these illustrious show creators. As early as 1927, an Arabian horse was wowed and applauded on the occasion of an Haute-School presentation.
Invited by the Responsible of Animations and Competitions of the Salon du Cheval of Paris, Fredy Knie Jr., a true friend of horses, participated in the show; in the late seventies, this would take place at Porte de Versailles with beautiful horses, the Arabians, who surprised the audience, they would organize the International Arabian Horse Days in the same place, however, showing a different use of this fascinating and versatile horse. With a lot of patience and perseverance, this great horseman put up an “Equestrian Symphony� in 1996 with gray Arabian horses in a free presentation without reinfor-
cement. This was during the World Festival Circus in Monte Carlo, an equestrian ‘painting’ that showed the immense complicity between man and animal. At the 2006 edition of this Festival, Fredy Knie Jr. made his appearance again, this time with a collection of the best numbers from previous editions, he once again showed
his great talent as a horse trainer getting his with greys purebred Arabians to fly up and down like in a carousel that stays etched in memory. A great family cannot disappear, Fredy Knie Jr. passed his love for the horse onto his nephew Ivan Frederic Knie who, at age 20, embodies the eighth generation, he already has the qualities of a great show-professional performer in the arenas. For them, he enjoys showing his white Arabian horses, in turn loose, in groups or individually, his performances at the 44th Monte Carlo Circus Festival in January 2020 got
him a Gold Clown awarded by Her Highness Princess Stephanie of Monaco, President of the prestigious event. Created in 1974 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco, and held every year under “Espace
Fontvieille” big tent, the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo is seen by professionals as the most prestigious global event, as important as “The Oscars” in the Cinema industry, the Gold Clown is the most coveted prize within this Circus Art. Its main theme can be said mankind’s greatest accomplishment and it was put at the heart of the 44th edition, there, the purebred Arabian horse occupied a place of honor. For all those who love the circus, the next World Circus Day will take place on April 18th, 2020.