Russia: Cossack acrobats perform horseback stunts in Kremlin

Acrobats in traditional Cossack garb showed off their equestrian prowess in Moscow Monday. Members of the Kremlin School of Horse Riding flipped on their horses, formed riding human pyramids, and cut through successive targets with sabres at a trot. The riders debuted their new routine to journalists before they head off to Germany for a real test of their skills. Thirteen riders from the Kremlin School of Horse Riding will compete with an international stable of equestrian professionals at “Horses and Dreams“, one of the world’s largest horse competitions. Competing equestrian clubs will perform to their greatest ability in Osnabruck, Germany from April 17 to 21 in a variety of events. This year’s competition is taking on a Russian theme, and the national Cossack uniforms will be emblematic of the performances. Expectations are high for the Kremlin School, after the Cossack riders tasted success at equestrian competitions in Windsor, UK, and Fountainebleau, France.