Jean Richard - Horses Video (1974)

Jean Richard, liberty"Liberty act", "Horses at liberty": Unmounted horses presented from the center of the ring by an equestrian directing his charges with his voice, body movements, and signals from a ''chambrière'' (French), or long whip. act, at the Gala de l'Union des Artistes, held at the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris. This was Jean Richard's first major public appearance fter the car accident that nearly cost him his life in 1973, which explains the special announcement by the French actor Jean-Claude Brialy. Since this annual fundraising gala ( the forerunner of all "circus of the stars" type of events that benefited old actors) began traditionally at midnight, the presentation of animal acts at an unusual time was not always easy. Alexis Gruss, whose horses it was, had to step in the ring to put his unruly charges back into their places. (1969)

See Also

• Biography: Jean Richard