In the equestrian competition of the Olympic Games, the dressage, known as the "ballet on horseback", has always attracted public attention with its elegant and extremely difficult performances. However, many people may not know that this sport existed in China as early as the Han Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, this sport reached its peak and held a leading position in the world. The two painted clay figurines of dancing horses in the collection of Xinjiang Museum vividly depict the wonderful moments of Tang Dynasty's "dressage". These two dancing horse figurines were both unearthed from the Astana ancient tomb complex, with one horse covered in pure white and the other horse being brownish red with flower spots. Two horses with agile figures, raised their necks and lowered their heads, their ears standing upright, and their hooves raised, as if dancing gracefully to the rhythm of music... Adili Abulizi, a researcher at the Xinjiang Museum, introduced that "dressage" was known as "dancing horses" in the Tang Dynasty. It originated from horse training performances during the Han Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, horse dance performances reached their peak, especially during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, when the scale of horse dance performances was extremely grand. At that time, various city states in the Western Regions often presented excellent horses as tribute to the Tang Dynasty. The dance horse performance requires high quality of horses. Firstly, it is required that the dancing horse has a muscular physique and strong ornamental value; Secondly, it is required that the horse dance has strong coordination skills, can understand human language, and is good at knowing syllables. Therefore, the dancing horses of the Tang Dynasty court were mainly selected and domesticated from the excellent horses presented as tribute from the Western Regions Adili said that based on historical records and unearthed cultural relics in Xinjiang, the Tang Dynasty horse dance performance was also very popular in the Western Regions. According to records, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once ordered the domestication of 100 dancing horses. Every year, on the occasion of the Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) Festival and the Qianqiu Festival, the "birthday of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty", Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty will hold large-scale celebrations in the Qinzheng Building. Horse dancing performance is one of the most wonderful performances. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty also specially composed a song called "Pouring Cup Music" to accompany the performance, which is also the most popular horse dance music in the Tang Dynasty. During the performance, 30 or 100 dancing horses will be divided into two parts on site, with horses covered in special brocade and adorned with gold and silver tassels. These horses will follow the accompaniment of "Pouring Cup Music" under the command of the horse dancers, with their heads and tails vigorously drumming and dancing to the rhythm. When the performance reaches its climax, the horse dancer will ride a horse and leap up three levels of high platform, spinning like flying; Or have the brave man lift the plank bed and have the horse perform various movements on it, some of which even resemble acrobatics and are very difficult. Horse figurines from the Jin and Tang dynasties unearthed from the Astana ancient tomb complex. Pomegranate Cloud/Photo by Zhao Mei, Xinjiang Daily Reporter In the Tang Dynasty, horse dance performances were held as a ceremonial ceremony, with strict regulations on time, location, and specifications. That is, the performance activities must be held during the Qianqiu Festival, court meetings, and guest banquets, and must be performed on a stage specially set up by the court. After the Tang Dynasty, horse dance performances gradually declined. Today, although the horse dance performance in the Tang Dynasty has ceased to exist, the horse dance figurines unearthed in Xinjiang and many other places in China still show the people's admiration, love and extensive participation in horse dance activities. (New Society)