Beauty and the beasts
Timeless fairy tale told on horseback
In this version of the “tale as old as time,” Belle not only finds true love with the Beast, but also she gets to ride a big, beautiful white horse.
“Beauty and the Beast on Horseback” takes the popular Disney story to a whole new level at the 2017 PETCON Pet & Equine Expo at the Washington County Fairgrounds & Expo Center next weekend.
Three horses, three adults and 19 children from Manon Farm in South Franklin, Washington County, will put on a one-hour show at 6 p.m. next Saturday and 2 p.m. May 14.
During a dress rehearsal last week, Sir Dozer, a 16-year-old Percheron-thoroughbred mix, trotted in big circles in the indoor arena. Somehow he managed to trot in time to the “Belle-Bonjour” song from the movie soundtrack.
When the song got to the line “here’s where she meets Prince Charming,” Sir Dozer switched to a canter, a faster gait in which the horse moves with a kind of rocking horse motion. “Belle” sat smoothly in the saddle, neither bouncing during the trot nor rocking during the canter. With a smile and a nod of approval, riding instructor Kimberly Manon said, “She’s been riding since she was 6 months old.”
Her only criticism: “Make sure the dress covers your black riding boots, Kelly.”
Belle is Kelly Manon, 27, the daughter of Kimberly and Thomas Manon, who said he’s the third generation on the family farm. The rest of the cast are Mrs. Manon’s riding students.
“My kids have worked so hard for two months. I am so proud of them,” Mrs. Manon said.
She frequently plays music during lessons because it seems to help riders and horses get into a good rhythm, she said. Several times a year they put on musicals in the indoor area, just for fun. This will be the first time they will perform for a real audience.
Beast enters the riding arena on Dwayne, 13, a bay quarter horse. Jacob Bush, 18, of Prosperity wears a wig with shoulderlength curls, full face makeup and a long blue jacket with gold trim. Although Mr. Bush has been riding only six months, he rides well, his instructor and Belle agree. Mr. Bush rides Dwayne in circles going in the opposite direction as Sir Dozer. The two horses meet in the center of the ring and Beast kisses Belle’s hand.
Gaston, played by Jonathan Finch, 27, of Prosperity, strides into the ring to declare his intentions to win and woo Belle. He carries a flintlock rifle that is real, he tells spectators. Although he loads it with black powder during hunting season, it discharges harmless white smoke in the show. Yes, they have practiced that with the horses, he said.