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THE HORSES
Come and visit Lord of the Rings stars Florian (Asfaloth), Uraeus (Brego) and their friends in New Zealand. To find out more CLICK HERE
FLORIAN
Florian is a grey Andalusian Stallion owned by Jane Abbott. The pride of her stable,
Florian was one of the ‘Hero Horses’ imported from Australia to take part
in the film as Princess Arwen’s horse Asfaloth, in The Lord of the Rings. As well
as being a movie star, Florian has worked for Style magazine and Shape magazine and has
been the drawcard for many live performances in New Zealand.
Florian is highly trained. He is proficient in the classical disciplines of dressage and
jumping. He is able to perform movements of the High School, such as Levade and
Capriole and delights with many tricks including skipping through a hoop, bowing and lying
down. Although it can never be forgotten that he is a Stallion, Florian is well mannered
and has a docile temperament, which he passes on to his progeny.
URAEUS:
Uraeus first found fame in New Zealand as an Advanced Level dressage horse and sire of
successful sport horses. Ridden by his then owner, the late Lockie Richards, he won National
Dressage titles. Uraeus was in semi-retirement when Lockie was approached by the film company
who wanted to lease the stallion. Uraeus had the strength and presence they were looking for
to play Aragorn's faithful steed 'Brego'.
With patience and understanding from his riders and grooms, Uraeus made the transition from
dressage star to movie star with style. Viggo Mortensen created such a strong bond with
Uraeus over the duration of filming, that Lockie agreed to sell the horse to him.
.
CLYDEE
Clydee is a bright bay 12.3hh English cob. He appeared in The Fellowship of the Ring towing
Gandalf’s cart into Hobbiton. Mostly he is the shy, retiring type, much like a Hobbit.
Clydee’s short stature and ample girth coupled with his hairy feet and appealing face,
give him a lot in common with the little people! Needless to say he is also very fond of his
food!
BOB
Bob is a black, NZ thoroughbred and one of the longest serving members of the equine cast.
With a great turn of speed (which no doubt he gained during his younger years as a race horse)
and a special talent for rearing he was a tailor-made Ring Wraith mount! But like the
others, he was also used in several other scenes. He is seen rearing over Pippin and
Merry before they managed to escape the orcs in The Two Towers, and was again seen rearing and
taking fright in the background as Aragorn headed into the Valley of the Dead in The Return of
the King.
KENNY:
Kenny is a chestnut who also came from a racing background. He was owned and named after
Kenny Brown, a famous personality in NZ racing, before he came to be a hero horse for the
movie trilogy. Kenny is a lovely natured horse with the perfect temperament for film
work, generally unflappable and willing to please. Kenny’s first appearance is in The
Fellowship of the Ring. Here he is ridden by Gandalf when he gallops to Saruman’s
castle to tell of the finding of the Ring. In the Two Towers Kenny is the horse gifted to
Aragorn by Eomer and the riders of Rohan. Kenny was also used throughout the Trilogy as
a Royal Guard and Rohan horse. Viggo Mortensen liked Kenny so much that once filming finished
he purchased him.
CHICO
Chico is a black station-bred gelding, who originally came from Gisborne, an area well
known for breeding hardy ‘work horses’ with good temperaments, able to go anywhere.
Chico was a long serving member of the horse department. His rugged good looks first
had him cast as a fearsome Ring Wraith mount. However, his versatility also allowed him
to carry the two children back to Edoras in the second film, and carry Rohan warriors into
battle in the third film.
Since filming finished Chico’s performing life has continued. His more prominent public
appearance was at the Wellington Arts Festival in front of 32,000 people, where he carried
renowned NZ entertainer Sir Howard Morrison during the opening ceremony
ZEE
Another original Ring Wraith horse, Zee also played many parts in the film. Due to his agility
and bravery he was often called upon to do more technical close-up shots requiring precise
riding and a bold horse. Zee is a warmblood by the Hanovarian stallion Distlelfink, known for
producing top jumping horses. Zee is now proudly owned and ridden by Ray Lenaghan. Both
compete successfully at National Eventing Competitions. Zee has a superb jump and wonderful
paces, a versatile character indeed.
BITS:
Bits came straight from the racetrack to the LOTR stables, and it was somewhat of a culture
shock for him! A highly strung New Zealand thoroughbred, Bits initially was frightened of
everything! He found the challenge of working with a large number of horses terribly
exciting. Time, training and patience prevailed, so in due course he was transformed
into a movie horse! Bits appeared in many battle scenes as both a Royal Guard mount, and as
a Rohan horse, often ridden by a female stunt rider with a beard!