The Story of the “Black Gazelle” of the Paris Hippodrome: Sarah L’Africaine

A new essay on an equestrian stuntwoman who set Second Empire Paris alight: Sarah l’Africaine, following on from an earlier piece about the mystery horsewoman Selika Lazevski. Here’s some information about my sources: Most of the firsthand material is combed from Gallica, the incredible, searchable digital collection of the French national library. The quotations in …

Monkeys on Horseback

New Swedish feature film She Monkeys is set in the world of vaulting: Emma (Mathilda Paradeiser) is a girl who likes to be in control. When she tries out for the local voltige (equestrian vaulting) team she meets Cassandra (Linda Molin), a strong, attractive and vivacious girl. As they get to know each other they …

Cirque du Pony!

Thanks to the Daily Telegraph, here’s Jive Pony, “the UK’s premier female equestrian display team” who vault, dance with their horses and do all kinds of tricks and stunts. Always certain to make a big impression with equine stars Ronan, Navey, Tinker and Casper, the three svelte girls who precariously balance on their ponies’ backs …

Hanging Ten on a Horse

“I was taking photos of some of my customers one day and said, ‘I’m bored. Why don’t you stand up or something?’ ” Mattox said, explaining the segue from beach riding to horse-surfing. “The next thing I know, there are people coming from Europe to try this new hot American tourist activity. “It was always a …