Youngstown State University will play host to a rare breed of horses.

By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Elegance, entertainment and a touch of royalty will blend Saturday at Youngstown State University's Beeghly Center.
The "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions will be performing as part of a 31st Anniversary Tour.
The "cultural attraction" combines historical narration with entertainment, says Gary Lashinsky, producer and chief executive. Lashinsky talked about the Austrian horses, as well as some hardships this breed of white stallions has endured.
"They almost became extinct in 1945 before Gen. George Patton rescued them" when Allied bombers were attacking Vienna, he said. More recently, many were killed during the Bosnian conflict, he added.
Film topic: A Disney movie, "The Miracle of the White Stallions," depicts the April 1945 rescue and preservation of the Lipizzans. However, only about 2,500 exist today, three-fourths of which live in the United States, according to Lashinsky.
While the stallions perform, a narrator discusses their history and background. The breed is thought to be about 425 years old, Lashinsky said.
The rare horses perform several feats, including a military drill to music and various leaps and jumps -- some without the rider. They also can stay active for 30 years or more, Lashinsky mentioned.
Part of this year's show will be "Airs Above the Ground," a segment featuring leaps and maneuvers riders once used to protect themselves during battle.
What's the same: Lashinsky added that even though some music may change, the performances and narrations are consistent. So are the horses' lives outside the ring.
"They're always in training, like a fine-tuned athlete." He also said they perform around 120 shows each year in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe.
You don't have to be a horse lover or historian to enjoy the performances, Lashinsky pointed out.
"[The horses] are the stars. This is a show for everybody."