SKILFUL RIDING CIRCUS ACTS IN VISITING RODEO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 67, 23 November 1949, Page 5

SKILFUL RIDING CIRCUS ACTS IN VISITING RODEO

Brilliant horse riding, breathtaking balancing acts, clever tumbling and crazy clowning kept a large and appreciative crowd in a gay mood when Barton's International Rodeo and Circus opened the season at Whakatane last night. Probably one of the best shows of its type to visit this part of the Bay of Plenty the' rodeo featured some riding acts by one of the present champion women riders of the world, Miss Beryl Riley. All the acts were lively and followed in quick succession in a manner that gave the audience no cause for restiveness. Undoubtedly the climax of the rodeo was the riding of a skewbald horse, "Paint;" through a planning hoop. This, she accomplished fearlessly and with perfect balance. But the most dangerous s of the whole of her act was jumping "Paint" through a steel hoop studded with large sharp knives, the points facing into the centre. The diameter of the circle from knife point to knife point is three feet four inches.

Again with perfect timing Miss Riley took "Paint," a 15 hands horse, through the circle of knives in a manner that looked too easy. But it wasn't always, as a scar on Miss Riley's forehead reminds the curious.

Another part of the same act reveals the iron nerve of Ken Huntly when he lies on a hurdle and his wife jumps "Paint" over him. A slip would make a nasty mess. Always popular with every circus, schoolboys were invited to take part in a number of acts. Several invitations were extended to riders to ride some of the buck jumping horses. There were some acceptances and then the local riders were shown some smart buckjumping by riders, of the rodeo. Then followed the Algiers trick and balancing acts, exhibiting perfect balance and concentration. These drew loud applause, and did the contortionist Celeste, who twisted herself into an amazing variety of knots. Some of the finest resin backed horse riding seen at Whaktane Was shown by the equestrians, the fine St Leons. They rode a cantering horse in almost every conceivable manner and it was done effortlessly, easily.

The tight-rope walkers, Alphonso and Dolores danced and played about on a taut wire with perfect ease and Alphonso did one of the most difficult feats on the wire by doing a complete somersault. Four White ponies drew the admiration of the children as they did their al.tnost human tricks, while Peggy and Joe caused plenty of laughs, aU though their seemingly simple antics were difficult to the extreme. The two male Martinettes' balancing act was an attempt to defy the forces of gravity. They balanced themselves in the air in almost unbelievable positions and the crowd were quick to show their appreciation.

On Monday night, the cirus show-* ed to a large crowd at Taneatua. There will, be a matinee this after-' noon and the final performance is to be held tonight. \