FROM AUSTRAILA

Gifted horses go missing from Circus Olympia in Craigieburn

Dusty, a male miniature horse, has gone missing from Circus Olympia. Picture: Supplied Source: Herald Sun

Gilliam McGee From: Herald Sun March 07, 2011 TWO gifted horses have gone missing from Circus Olympia within hours of arriving in Craigieburn ahead of a week of scheduled performances. Chavella Ferroni, office administrator at Circus Olympia, said they had not even finished putting up all the tents when the horses went missing from their stables last night.
“We just woke up this morning and noticed they were gone. One of the leads is broken and one is just completely gone,” she said.
“We are not sure if maybe someone went past and to be funny let one of them off and the other one just ran with it or if someone took them. We are not sure yet.”

Belle, a female shetland pony, has gone missing from Circus Olympia. Picture: Supplied Source: Herald Sun

A female white and tan Shetland cross pony, called Belle, is missing along with Dusty, a brown male miniature horse of show quality.
Ms Ferroni said the horses were integral to the show and the circus will be missing some acts because of their disappearance.
“One of the horses that has gone missing is actually our main animal and she is a trick pony she does one whole act by herself with her trainer,” Ms Ferroni said about Belle.
“The other one [Dusty] that has gone missing is part of a set in our mixed animal act so the other one won’t work without him,” she said.
Ms Ferroni horses are irreplaceable. “It took years to train them and they all get used to each other because they are part of a set.
Both ponies are on a special diet and have daily vitamin and supplement requirements.
The circus has offered a $500 reward for the safe return of the animals.