BUXTON – After making a big hit locally last year, Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions have returned to perform Sept. 6-8 at Hearts & Horses Farm, 63 Justin Merrill Road, in Buxton.

The famed white stallions arrived in trailers on Tuesday on a tour that has traveled 4,500 miles since mid June.

The horses are the original Lipizzan stallions of Austria bred in the 16th century for use by the royal Hapsburg family. The legendary U.S. Gen. George Patton was instrumental in rescuing the white stallions during World War II.

Owner Gabriella Herrmann said Tuesday her equine performers like to go on tour like show people.

“They enjoy the audiences,” Herrmann said. “They’re true performers.”

The shows at Hearts & Horses will be held in an indoor riding arena at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6; 2 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7; and 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8. Part of the proceeds benefits the therapeutic riding center at Hearts & Horses.

Visitors to the farm are invited for a backstage, up-close look at the famed white stallions, along with their entourage this week before the shows.

“People can have their picture taken with them,” Stephanie Keene, farm owner, said.

In the performance “Airs Above the Ground,” the stallions leap and maneuver in routines, which derive from battle tactics they were trained to perform centuries ago. Routines will vary from last year’s performances.

“They dance,” Keene said, and she added the troupe would include a few younger stallions on the road for the first time. “The movement is wonderful.”

Keene had the thrill of riding a white stallion last year and said she checked the experience off her “bucket list.”

Keene’s mother, Shirley Keene, is looking forward to the shows again this year.

“It’s a ballet,” she said. “You can’t get enough of it.”

In the performances, riders look as regal as the equine stars.

“Costumes are gorgeous,” said Shirley Keene, who will take her granddaughter, Grace Keene, 7, to the opening show.

Stephanie Keene said 3,200 went to the farm last year to either visit the white stallions or for performances.

“Some people just stopped in to visit,” Keene said.

Keene said her staff and students eagerly awaited arrival of the white stallions on Tuesday and several were on hand to greet them.

“It’s a fun week,” said Hearts & Horses riding instructor Anna Adams. “I like to see people come in and enjoy it. It’s cool.”

“I loved it,” Aaryanna Hatch-Cyr, who is a student rider and an eighth-grade student at Westbrook Middle School, said last week.

She said the horses were “nice and pretty, too.”

Cell phone cameras clicked as the stallions received a royal welcome at the farm. Some of the stallions whinnied and danced as they were led from trailers to the stable. Gleaming stalls freshly washed and painted were ready for the elite visitors.

The stallions checked out their stalls, peered through windows at the farm’s horses in outside paddocks, but they quickly relaxed after their ride from Cape Cod.

“It’s a beautiful stable,” Herrmann said.

The horses were served their breakfast oats early on Wednesday before a Portland television crew arrived at 4 a.m.

“They will rest after the TV show,” Herrmann said.

Readying for the performances, a work crew power-washed the entire indoor arena, which will seat 600 spectators.

One of five riders, Amy Pranger of Wisconsin, is on her second tour with the Lipizzan show.

“It’s fantastic, it’s an honor,” Pranger said. “It’s a life choice.”

A CLOSER LOOK

Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions perform at Hearts & Horses, 63 Justin Merrill Road, Buxton, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6; 2 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7; and 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8. Advance tickets are $15 at the farm or by calling 929-4700; $20, day of the show. For more information, visit www.heartsnhorses.org. Part of the proceeds benefits the therapeutic riding center at Hearts & Horses.

Rebecca McCullough leads one of the Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions to the stable at Hearts & Horses Farm in Buxton. McCullough is daughter of Gabriella Herrmann, owner of the famous equine stars.