Soldiers And Circus Stars (1926)

Riga, Latvia (Soviet Union, .). Title: “Soldiers and Circus Stars. Dashing display by Latvian Republic’s crack Cavalry in honour of President Chakste (left)“. M/S of three men in top hats and long coats (Chakste in the one on the left), several army officers stand behind them. Various M/Ss of horses galloping down a race track, passing a crowd of spectators, the riders perform gymnastic stunts on the saddles, some with cutlasses between their teeth. M/S of a horse galloping past the camera, the rider leans down from the saddle and picks up a hat from the ground. L/S of a horse jumping over a row of fences, the rider stands on the saddle and waves his crop in the air. L/S of a horse galloping down part of the track, again the rider stands on the saddle, he uses his sword to knock a ball off a post and then to stab a straw filled sack as he races past. M/S of two horses riding close together, a man stands with one foot on each of the riders’ shoulders, he waves a Latvian flag in the air.