Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions Of Austria Meet The Fans Before Colt State Park Show

BRISTOL, RI — Like any other celebrities, the Lipizzan Stallions from Austria met some reporters and photographers before they perform their stylized jumps for audiences at Colt State Park. Gabby Herrmann brought out the sugar cubes and cajoled Storm into posing for a few pictures. He's named after the Desert Storm military operation. (He was born during it.)

"He's one of our older stallions, but he's still performing," she said. She also brought a youngster, Jagger, named after Mick Jagger. "He was all lips and legs," she laughed.

Argento is here, too. And others.

Tickets are available at Horses.brownpapertickets.com. Children under 6 are admitted free with an adult. The shows are being hosted by the First Congregational Church (Bristol's founding church) in partnership with the Bristol 4th of July Committee.

WHEN: Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th at 2 and 6 p.m.

WHERE: Colt State Park, Bristol, RI 02809

WHY: The flying white Lipizzans’ thrilling 90-minute performances are expected to draw significant crowds. Founded in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzans are unquestionably the rarest, most aristocratic breed of horses in the world. They were trained to lead the Austrian Army into battle, with astonishing battle maneuvers that terrified foot solders. Only a few hundred have ever existed at any one time. In the last days of the Second World War, the Lipizzans were almost lost forever when the Russian Army tried to seize them. Colonel Herrmann and the stallions were able to escape with the help of General George Patton. Today the Herrmann family continues to share the original Royal Lipizzans and their extraordinary beauty and artistry with audiences around the world.

Argento, whose name means silver, takes a stroll around Colt State Park on Friday evening.