October 5, 2005
7:30 PM
At The Showfolks Club
Featuring: Rudy and Beverly Rudynoff of the Rudynoff Ballerina Horses
Rudy Gebhardt and Erna Seiffart met in Zurich, Switzerland ,when Rudy came to town as a bareback rider in a small circus. Erna, a young ballet student, married Rudy in 1914. They created a dance and comedy act and performed in theatres as Rudy and Erna Rudynoff.
After forming a bareback riding act and touring with Circus Knie, Rudy and Erna left Europe for the United States. They joined Rudy’s sister, Mary Bedini, with the John Robinson Circus in 1923. That was the beginning of a long career involving bareback riding, comedy riding, High School horses, liberty horses, and the training of riders and horses for menage and variety acts.
While Rudy was with the John Robinson, Sells Floto, and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses, Erna spent several years off the road due to the loss of a leg in a riding accident. She overcame that tragedy and returned to the ring with a unique High School horse and Great Dane dog act. In 1935, Erna and Rudy, Sr., joined the Hagenbeck-Wallace and Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Circus.
In 1936 Rudy and Erna and their son Rudy, Jr., joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Rudy, Sr., trained the menage riders and performed with them. He presented an acclaimed liberty act featuring a blindfolded horse finding her place among the other horses in the ring. He also trained and presented a spectacular tableau involving over sixty animals. Erna presented her High School horse and dog act, and Rudy, Jr., presented six liberty ponies. When the show closed in 1938, the Rudynoffs left RBBB and began accepting independent bookings.
For over twenty-five years, the Rudynoffs toured the United States with their famous Ballerina Horses. Rudy, Jr., married Beverly Mueller, the top mounter in the Lang acrobatic act. The Ballerina Horses act consisted of Rudy, Jr., and Beverly with their horse on long lines in the center ring and Rudy, Sr., and Erna with High School horse acts in rings one and three. The act was a popular feature on circuses, fairs, rodeos, horse shows, sports shows, and other venues throughout the United States and Canada until it was retired in 1963.
In 1969 the Rudynoffs were inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame as “... one of the outstanding equestrian acts of the century.” In 1999 they were the subjects of Hoofers! Dancing on a Sawdust Stage, a book about their careers as dancers, equestrians, and circus stars.
Come One! Come All! to the FIRST MEETING of the NEW SEASON
This is an organization of active participation. Come ! Show your appreciation to the speakers who have prepared for you. In addition, you have the opportunity to share a dessert item (cookies, cupcakes, etc.) and donations for the raffle.
OFFICERS FOR 2005-2006
PRESIDENT: Shirley Adams
5578 Burnt Branch Circle
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 378-9596
email: circusp@comcast.net
VICE PRESIDENT: Rudy Gebhardt (Rudynoff) SECRETARY/TREASURER: Lynn Schinkel
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Shirley Adams, circusp@comcast.net
OCTOBER MEETING
