A sparkling blue curtain parted as a white Lippizaner stallion trotted out, its rider carrying the American flag.

The audience of 2,932 people stood up and sang the National Anthem.

Narrator Troy Tinker provided facts and humor throughout the World Famous Lippizaner Stallion Show at the Convocation Center Thursday night.

The horses and its riders began by demonstrating dressage such as walking, trotting and cantering to Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.

The audience clapped as many difficult techniques were performed.

Robert Mills took his wife Nancy to the show as a Valentine’s Day present.

“It’s an awesome show and great for us ’cause it’s close to home,” Nancy said.

The horses then performed air techniques, in which all four hooves left the ground.

“I liked when the horses jumped in the air,” said Kara O’Herron, an 11-year-old from Kingston.

Tinker explained that the stallions go through six to nine years of training before performing.

When one horse became a little unruly, Tinker joked about it.

“They’re well trained, but they’re also stallions, and boys will be boys,” Tinker said as the audience laughed.

During the second half of the show, a stallion came out with glitter in its mane and around its hooves. Even the rider’s outfit sparkled. The horse did special moves to swing music.

During this performance, the horse displayed many techniques, one in which all four hooves left the ground, and the horse kicked out its back legs while the rider still was on.

“This is something I wanted to do since I was six years old,” said Jane Schmink of Genoa. “It was worth the wait, and it was wonderful.”

Tinker also gave the audience information on Lippizaner horses. He said the horses are born black or dark brown, but turn white as they mature.

The horses travel all over the world and even fly in planes to their far-off destinations.

Sisters Charlotte Kletecka of South Beloit and Virginia Rous of Roscoe were invited to the show by the Midwest Arabian Club.

“It was wonderful, and we enjoyed it tremendously,” Rous said.

For a final performance, eight horses entered the floor and did tricks in unison. The audience clapped and whistled after the horses and their riders finished the routine.

“It appears from the overwhelming reaction and excitement of the guests that we’ve capped another successful event,” said John Gordon, director of the Convo Center.