Looking for a special date night? Or maybe want to celebrate a birthday or anniversary in an unusual manner?
Consider Medieval Times in Buena Park for an evening of jousting, horsemanship, falconry plus a four-course, utensil-free meal served in a European style castle.
Since launching the 241-acre Medieval Times Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas, in 1991, Medieval Times has become the North American leader in preserving the thousand-year-old pure bloodline of the snowy Spanish Andalusian Stallions.
Currently with more than 200 Andalusians, the Ranch is home to the horses until age three and again upon retirement from the Medieval Times show.
The Buena Park location owns and cares for 30 horses, ranging from four to 16 years old.
The castle takes pride in its snowy Andalusian Stallions, a Spanish breed served for royalty in the 11th century and one of the rarest breeds of horses in the world. Other breeds at the castle include Arabian, Friesian, Menorcan, Thoroughbred, and Quarter horse.
The Grand Ceremonial Arena seats 1,110 guests and features state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and special effects systems.
After many years of advanced training, horses are moved into the spotlight as a feature performer in the Grand Ceremonial Arena.
During the nightly performance, guests experience the feats of horsemanship achieved through the careful training at the ranch and castle.
Many of the choreographed moves the horses make are traditions established thousands of years ago.
For example, The Capriole – a precise move that dates back 2,500 years – the horse jumps from a raised position of the forehand straight up into the air, kicks out with the hind legs, and lands on all four legs at the same time.
A few other moves include The Pasade (the horse maintains all of its weight on its hind legs), The Lassaire (the horse walks forward with its forelegs held up before it), The Piaffe and Passage (the horse appears almost afloat above the ground), and The Spanish Walk (the horse raises its forelegs as to drive anything in its way aside).
Each spring, the Texas ranch celebrates the birth of many Andalusian foals at its facility. The horses at the ranch are bred and trained for performance in the nine Medieval Times castles throughout North America, including Buena Park.
As young colts, the horses are introduced to halters and lead ropes. They are pampered and tamed, and grow accustomed to being in close proximity to humans.
At age two, the horses are old enough to begin simple training including lunging, working with long reins, and saddle.
After receiving their first shoes at age three, basic training is completed at the ranch. The horses are then transported from their first home at the ranch to one of the nine Medieval Times castles.
At the castle, the master trainer begins teaching the horses advanced level dressage through gentle manipulation of the reins. As the horses become more experienced, a special four-rein harness is used to properly position the head and to develop the elegantly bowed neck.
Medieval Times offers shows 365 days a year in Buena Park. The castle features a soaring tower, elaborately decorated Hall of Arms, the Knight Club, an outdoor courtyard, an extensive gift shop, Museum of Torture and a Hall of Stallions where guests can view some of the castle’s horses as they prepare for each evening’s show.
Admission price includes show, dinner, and two rounds of select beverages. The castle is located at 7662 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park.
For more information or tickets, visit www.medievaltimes.com.
