Horses are integral to Hermes, and to many of their scarf designs to this day. Many alien beasts in Star Wars are ones that are either ridden, or used as pack animals similar to horses. I thought I would focus today's discussion on these particular alien beasts in Star Wars. Note the interesting tack being used on the various alien animals. Feel free to wear your scarves showing animals being ridden, or those with horse tack, which has been adapted here for riding these aliens.
The first Star Wars movie came out in 1977 (and was renamed to A New Hope on rerelease in 1981) and featured a Bantha, which was ridden by the Tusken Raiders on Tatooine. Wookiepedia tells us that the Banthas were portrayed by a female Asian elephant named Mardji, who was provided by the Marine World Africa USA amusement park. The lower photo is of a Bantha being ridden by Boba Fett in The Book of Boba Fett live action television streaming series earlier this year.
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Here is a Tauntaun being ridden by Luke Skywalker on Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. A tauntaun's thick skin helped them to survive the icy conditions on Hoth, where temperatures at night could reach -60C.
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Fathier racing on Canto Bight was used for gambling in the casinos. Fathiers could run up to 75 kilometers per hour across various terrains. They were tall animals and stood 3 meters high at the shoulder. They were seen in The Last Jedi.
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A Blurrg, from Arvala 7, is here being ridden by the Ugnaught Kuill on The Mandalorian. The Mandalorian himself was frustrated trying to break a young Blurrg for riding. The process was similar to breaking a horse.
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Orbaks are native to the planet Pasaana, and are shown here from The Rise of Skywalker. When riding an Orbak, a rider could steer them by directing their tusks, while a separate beast collar kept the saddle in place and allowed the rider to maintain control should the reins break free. I read an interview with actress Naomi Ackie (right in the photo below) who took months of horse-riding and archery lessons in order to be able to shoot arrows while riding without holding the reins.
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This is a very cool photo of riding the Orbaks during an attack by the Resistance in a ground assault atop the
Resurgent-class Star Destroyer
Steadfast, the flagship of First Order Allegiant General Enric Pryde in The Rise of Skywalker. When the movie was first released these creatures were immediately dubbed to be space horses. This definitely reminds me of Space Derby.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi is here riding a varactyl in full stride in Attack of the Clones. These animals were strong enough to navigate the often vertical landscapes of Utapau. This huge saddle makes me wonder if it was meant for a much larger rider than Obi-Wan.
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Here is Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine leading an Eopie. This is a screen grab from a trailer for the new Kenobi series coming out in late May. The Eopie looks almost like a camel, and is well adapted to the harsh environment which makes them very useful for carrying luggage or people across the desert. Compared to the Banthas ridden by the Tusken raiders, Eopies are far less likely to grab the attention of onlookers, which makes them a good choice for a Jedi in hiding.
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My scarf today is Acte III, Scene I with its theater stage containing a forest reminiscent of Endor, Bottom whose head has been transformed into a donkey making him alien indeed, and the moon shining above.
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. All armored warriors alike could have said the words above, like Samurai and knights.
. Della Cav Fav. View attachment 5394877
Eid Mubarak to you. 