Local News
Russian horse show finds temporary home 
02:24 PM CDT on Friday, July 10, 2009
ROCKWALL — A Russian horse show which literally had to fold its tents in downtown Dallas last month has been taken in by a Good Samaritan in Rockwall.
Nineteen horses and the 48 Russians who perform with them had no place to go when visa problems and difficulties with their promoter caused them to temporarily shut down their show, Artania. The show is a 13th century Russian fable utilizing horses, riders, acrobats and clowns.
Artania has played to large audiences in Niagara Falls, Canada and the U.K., but initial crowds were sparse in Dallas.
Lisa and Jackie Blackmon of Black Star Sport Horses heard about the problem and offered the show temporary quarters. Black Star has the largest privately-owned indoor horse arena in Texas on its Rockwall ranch.
Black Star will also let the Russians stage four performances over the next two weeks.
Lisa Blackmon, a horse trainer herself, says she’s received scores of e-mails from concerned horse lovers about the fate of the Russian horses and their handlers. A few have donated hay and grain.
“It’s what Texas is all about,” Blackmon said.
E-mail bharris@wfaa.com
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