7/30/2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - They dance on ice, race hockey players, pull skaters a la "crack the whip," and they're horses.
"Icelandics on Ice," a unique show featuring the special abilities of Icelandic horses, will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Michigan State University's Munn Ice Arena. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 1, and are $10 each.
Icelandic horses are smaller than the average horse, but are powerfully built, blessed with amazing athletic ability. Not only do the horses walk, trot and canter on the ice, they also have two unique gaits - a smooth glide known as a "toelt" and a "flying pace" that has been clocked at more than 26 miles per hour.
The horses also perform dressage on ice. Dressage horses perform intricate figures and movements at various gaits, often choreographed to music. An Olympic sport, dressage is very popular in North America, while gaining in popularity throughout the rest of the world.
"Icelandics on Ice" is part of the Great Icelandic Horse Fair, which is currently conducting a North American tour. Scheduled to attend the MSU show are the Icelandic ambassador to the United States and the Icelandic minister of agriculture.
Proceeds from the show will benefit the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine's Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center.
Tickets are available at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center Ticket Office. For information, call (517) 432-5000 or (800) 968-2737.
For additional information on Icelandic horses and the Great Iceland Horse Fair, visit the Web at www.icelandic-horses.is or www.tgihf.com