World famous dancing stallions will be among the highlights of a major agriculture festival in Bahrain next week.

The Lipizzaner Stallions, also known as 'The Dancing White Stallions', will be performing an equestrian work of art for the first time in the Middle East at the Bahrain Animal Production Show 2010.

These amazing animals will perform a stunning ballet that shows off spectacular leaps and manoeuvres, which have earned them the title of the world's greatest exponents of dressage.

The Lipizzan is a rare and unique breed once used by riders in saddle to protect and defend themselves on the battlefield, although these days the beautiful and graceful white animals are considered to be horses of nobility.

They will perform a two-hour show twice a day during the three-day Bahrain Animal Production Show, which is open to the public from next Thursday until November 27 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village, Sakhir.

'We are thrilled to have chosen Bahrain and the Animal Production Show as the venue to bring our spectacular Lipizzaner Show for the first time in the Middle East,' said Lipizzaner Show producer Gary Lashinsky.

'We are looking forward to delighting the audiences, both young and old, with a stunning display.'

The Bahrain Animal Production Show 2010 will be officially opened on Wednesday during a VIP-only event.

It will then open to the public on Thursday and entrance is free.

The event is taking place under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and will also feature Bahrain's biggest ever bird show, with exotic pigeons and falcons among the rare and wild birds on view.

Falcon trainers from across the Middle East will also put on displays for visitors, while judges from around the world are being flown in to assess the birds on their abilities and appearance - with a prize on offer for the most beautiful bird.

The agriculture festival will also bring together the latest technologies and agricultural techniques in a bid to boost Bahrain's agriculture sector and raise awareness of sustainable development.

Around 120 animal exhibitors will showcase horses, sheep, cattle, goats and camels from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, the UK and Germany during the event, but organisers are quick to stress it is not a circus.

The event will also include a wide range of activities and exhibits including a mini train track running through the site, walkabout acts from Australia, food stalls, a zoo, a large show arena, an off-road circuit where visitors can operate radio-controlled tractors, pony rides, mini-horse obstacle courses, sheep shearing and a cow milking simulator.

Top journalists from the television channel National Geographic will also take part in the event's Education Zone, which will consist of a presentation theatre, a gallery displaying images from around the world and a bookstore with signed books from guest speakers and those on local wildlife.

Twice daily presentations will be hosted by award-winning journalist Joel Bourne and top photographer Annie Griffiths.

Meanwhile, a competition is currently underway to name three mascots - a fish, cow and a chicken - for the event.

The competition will close by midnight on Sunday and winners will be announced on Tuesday.-TradeArabia News Service