Irad State Equestrian Circus

The Irad State Equestrian Circus is a trick-riding company in Talas, revived in 2012 under the National Equestrian Sports Directorate. It continues the Iradi SSR State Dzhigit Ensemble (Jigit, 1958–1993).^[1]

Dzhigit Ensemble

The ensemble was founded in Kobozev in 1958 on the model of the Soviet equestrian circus troupes. It toured the Soviet Union and the socialist countries with trick riding on Akyel and Chongtor horses: standing gallops, riders passing under the horse's belly, ulak and kyz kuu as show pieces, and a closing tableau of the White Rider, which the censors renamed "the Rider of the Revolution" (see The Legend of the White Rider).^[1]

Several riders stayed in the United States after a tour in 1990 and rode in American rodeos and Wild West shows; two of them, the Abdyrov brothers, later trained stunt riders for Westerns. The ensemble folded in 1993.^[2]

Revival

The circus gives summer shows for tourists and school parties in a covered ring beside the Irad State Hippodrome and performs at the Eki Eldin At Oyunu in Semiz. Its riders are Hippodrome jockeys and ulak players, and its White Rider tableau now carries his name.^[1]

References

1. ^ National Equestrian Sports Directorate (2013). The Irad State Equestrian Circus: Programme. Talas.
2. ^ Talas Herald (2010). 'The Dzhigits who stayed: Iradi riders in American rodeo.' Talas.