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Submitted by Editor on 8/16/2006 Last Modified
Ianna Spirit Riders
Ianna Spirit Riders: left Renaldo "Junior" Williams, on horse, top Clair Kuciejczk-Kernan,
middle: Rosie Eastman, bottom: Elliana Hentoff-Killian, Ian, (the horse), Jen Buck (trainer), right: Lemond Carmickle. photo taken on Circus Flora
Introduction by Jessica Hentoff
The St. Louis Arches are the sensational, performing youth circus troupe from the Circus Day Foundation. The Arches are currently comprised of children aged six to sixteen years old from throughout the St. Louis area. They perform a wide variety of circus skills including tumbling, trapeze, juggling, stilt walking, tightrope walking, unicycling, rolling glove, mini-trampoline and partner acrobatics. Since their inception in 1989, they have been coached, choreographed and directed by Jessica Hentoff. Audiences everywhere flip over this talented troupe. These acclaimed and accomplished youth circus performers can be seen almost every weekend performing at City Museum in downtown St. Louis. They also appear at a number of public and private events throughout St. Louis and beyond. Performing with Circus Flora, the Arches have been seen literally coast to coast at such wonderful venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in AZ. It had been over 10 years since the Arches had an opportunity to perform on horseback. This year, Circus Flora asked us to pick five of the Arches to spend eight months in training for a new bareback riding act. The five young people selected were chosen for a combination of their performing abilities, dedication to circus and love of animals. For Rosie Eastman (15), this was a dream come true.
IANNA SPIRIT RIDERS
By:
ROSIE EASTMAN
Anytime you bring together five teenagers from all different walks of life, something amazing is bound to happen. When you add earth's most noble animal, the horse, to the mix, the result is nothing short of magical. When we first stepped out the car (a minivan), and breathed in that unmistakable horsey scent, it was like a small fire was started in each one of us. The five of us were an interesting bunch. A second-generation circus performer, a ballerina, an equestrian, a try-everything man, and a half-awake hand balancer (who is, in our opinion, unnaturally flexible for a guy), all shared a common interest: horses. We all loved and cared for these animals deeply, and were up for whatever the next eight months could throw at us.
Rosie Eastman on Ian, leg lift
The first day was rough; we couldn’t even get on the horse! But since we are circus performers, we know that there is no such thing as the impossible. Over the next few weeks we blossomed under the ever-watchful eye of Jen Buck, our equestrienne coach, David Balding, the producer of Circus Flora and Jessica Hentoff, our circus coach and founder of the Circus Day Foundation and the St. Louis Arches. The fall brought us relief from the stifling summer heat, and also our new horse, Ian. Ian was a veteran bareback horse, who carried other members of the St. Louis Arches, over a decade ago. Watching him be lead from his stall was like watching a legendary sports hero come out of retirement. As soon as we put the harness on him, his ears pricked up and a familiar gleam came back to his eyes. He knew what was going on, and this old circus horse was ready for his second chance.
Elle Hentoff-Killian practicing in the barn
The winter was long and cold, with some practices held in seventeen-degree weather! But all our practice paid off. In addition to learning tricks, we also learned how to take care of and understand our horse better. We knew how and what to feed him, and a few of us became expert stall cleaners. One of the many wonderful things about our coach Jen, is that she taught us that our horse is our partner, and his needs come before all else. We all have many vivid memories of going to the barn at the crack of dawn, and kissing and brushing our horse until he gleamed. In return for being taken care of, Ian took care of us. If we fell off, he would carefully avoid our sprawled limbs in the sand. If we had a bad day, he would nudge us for treats, and if we were lucky enough, treat us to a big lick in the face. Because of his love for us and our love for him, we decided to name the act in his honor. We call ourselves The Ianna Spirit Riders.
After what seemed like centuries of extra practices lasting until well into the evening, it was May. Ian and Jen would soon be leaving for Charleston, South Carolina, where Circus Flora would be starting its tour. We said our goodbyes to our dear friends, and the excitement was building in each one of us like a shaken up bottle of pop. We were counting down the days until we would leave for the Charleston, as well, to perform with Circus Flora at the Spoleto Festival. It was exciting for each one of us, but especially for me. Having loved horses since I could walk, and loved circuses almost that long, it was like my dream was coming true. I was going to perform in a real circus! The magic and wonder that the sawdust brings us was finally happening.
Over the next month, we performed almost every day, with two shows a day on weekends. Ian was a trouper, and ran beautifully despite being tired or cranky. The show was a huge success, and in many people’s opinion, the best circus they had ever seen. Unfortunately, the run only lasts so long, and none of us were quite prepared for the heartbreak of having to say goodbye to all our friends, both old and new. But we have to take comfort in the fact that it is never really goodbye, and we will always see them again. We know that this isn’t the end of the run for our act, or our horse, and that we will have many wonderful performances to come. Because in the circus, magic happens when you least expect it.
Article by Rosie Eastman (age15)
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