Bucéphale's equestrian display
-Hey, Marcus, did you see that?
-Another accident?
-Ah, humans.
-Another cart accident. And bits of cart everywhere.
What? Nails?
They could have cleaned up.
Who cares? it smells like breakfast.
Bingo!
Brioches!
Hey, wait.
Hey, the brioches!
No, come back here!
Hey! Belfort!
-What a mess.
-Hi there.
-Hello my dear Lupin!
-What are you doing out of the castle? Are you coming for breakfast?
-No. I'm trying to get to the to the royal stables,
I'd like to see the equestrian display rehearsals.
-I don't know what that is, but I can accompany you to the stables.
-Be discreet, humans must not see you.
-Humans never see anything unless you bite their butt.
Why are they running around? Is it for their "questing display"?
-Equestrian display.
-Is it a party? -It's better than that.
Louis my master has ordered a show to be performed tomorrow.
The whole court will be there. -What kind of "show" is it?
-There are horses dancing according to a millimeter choreography, like a ballet.
-You only see that at Versailles.
Not like a dog who thinks he's a horse.
-Thank you.
-In your show, do the horses think they're dogs?
Now you. -What?
Okay.
-Let's go see the rehearsals. -Hey, guys.
-Hi, Ernest. -Well hello!
-Come on, it's starting.
-Ah, I can't wait.
-One day, I'll be part of the king's equestrian display.
-Wow... -What's that? A turkey?
-Oh, what a stallion.
-It's Bucéphale.
-I hope I can be as good as him one day.
-Watch out!
-Bucéphale!
-It's not a turkey, maybe it's a mule.
-Are you all right?
-I'm just fine.
Mind your own business, and go back to your stall.
-What's the matter with him?
-I've never seen him like this. -What's the matter?
-What's the matter, my dude?
Bad day?
-"My dude"? Watch your language, little one.
-What Lupin meant to say, in his familiar way, is that we're worried.
-All's well. I'm up and running.
-What's going on?
-It's coming from Bucéphale's stall!
-I don't see anything out of the ordinary at back of the knee and pastern.
-So, what's wrong? -Our faithful steed is aging.
He won't be able to take part in the king's equestrian display.
And given his age, we'll have to send him out to the meadow.
-What's with the face?
-Being sent to the meadow means retirement.
It's for horses too old or unfit.
-Well, that's great news.
Bucéphale won't be ridden anymore.
-What? -The meadow means
that I no longer deserve my place in the royal stables.
I, Bucéphale, who have been at the head of all processions and equestrian displays,
I have become... useless.
-The hour of retirement has not yet arrived!
-Belfort is right. You'll do your "questing display", we'll help you.
-But you need to tell us what's the matter with you?
-My hoof hurts.
The pain is unbearable.
-We're going to heal that hoof and tomorrow
you'll be galloping like a foal. -That's right.
(But the humans found nothing.)
-The castle has the best medical books in the kingdom.
One of them is bound to contain the remedy we're looking for.
-They'll succeed boss.
They must.
-Not a soul. Your move, Belfort.
Wooden floor 1, Lupin 0.
-A medical textbook.
Just what we need.
-So?
-Oh, dear. Are we treating an arm or a leg?
-Why don't humans walk like us, on all fours?
-Surely, it would be so much easier. Let's see...
-I'm good.
What's all this stuff for?
-If you knew what this instrument is for,
and especially where they put it, you'd keep your nose out of it.
This book is too complicated.
We need the help of a specialist.
-You mean a female specialist?
-Great minds think alike.
-GAZETTE.
Wooden floor 2, Lupin 0.
You know what? I'll wait here for you
While the wooden floor and I sort out a few things.
-Fine.
I'll be right back.
Just don't touch anything.
-I'll try not to.
What?
The dream. A mountain of perfect brioches,
with butter.
-Monsieur Daquin, Princess Marie-Adélaïde requires your good care
One for the road.
-Thank you, Bazire.
I'll take what I need, and will be on my way to see the Princess.
Where's my little jar of camphor?
Ah, here it is.
Quick, let's not keep them waiting.
What's this brioche doing here?
It wasn't there 1 minute ago.
Everything in its place.
Let's go.
-The brioches are mine.
We meet again. -I said, don't touch anything.
-I didn't, I promise.
Hi, Gazette, looking good.
-Thanks, Lupin. Belfort told me what's happening to poor Bucéphale.
I may have an idea.
-Really? -Yes.
When M. Le Nôtre, the royal gardener, gets leg pains running around,
the doctors recommend a camphor balm.
-That will put dear Bucéphale back on his feet.
-How strange, it's not here.
Where could the doctor have put it?
-By the way, the doctor stopped by.
-Of course, he took the jar we're looking for.
-And he said something about a princess.
-If he said anything about a princess, it's Marie-Adélaïde de Savoie.
-Come on. Couldn't they have put carpet instead?
-I've got an idea.
Let's take a shortcut.
-Yes, please.
Who turned off the lights?
Hello?
-Careful!
Sorry about that. Ah, the hair.
-No harm done.
-I'm telling you it's nothing.
-Princess, a bite, no matter how superficial,
is never nothing. Especially when the animal is wild.
-Victor isn't wild, he's a well-behaved crocodile.
-Of course he is. May I, at least put a simple bandage?
-(The jar is in the briefcase).
-Very well, if you insist.
-The King!
-Ah, Belfort.
Have you come to comfort our princess?
-I have been informed that you are
gravely wounded. A crocodile bite.
-As I keep saying, it's nothing at all.
Victor didn't bite me, I pricked myself while brushing his teeth.
Didn't I, my dear Belfort?
-Indeed, it seems you're in great shape.
-(Belfort is held back, what do we do?)
-(I'll take care of it.)
-That tickles!
-(Sorry.)
It's up to me.
Come on! Lets go!
-When you've been cared for...
-I got it! -...will you accompany me for a little walk?
-On one condition. -You would like to see the menagerie?
-Exactly. -All done.
-The bandage is finished. -Thank you, sir. May I go now?
-Yes, of course.
Majesty, with your permission, I must leave for Paris immediately.
-Please do, Mr Daquin.
-Belfort! Lupin!
-Fast!
A wolf!
Good heavens! If he gets on this carriage, all is lost.
-Shall we go for the plan number 13?
-The cute doggy? That's a good idea.
-Cursed wet pavement.
Look who's come to comfort me.
Who's the nice doggy who loves the pats of his favorite doctor?
-(Gazette?)
-Who's the doggy? Who is he?
Hm, yes. Very good.
To Paris!
-Well done, folks.
-Belfort, it was child's play.
-Who's the good doggie, that likes pats, eh?
-This camphor balm is working miracles at court.
-All done.
-Now you'll see. By tomorrow, you'll be galloping like a colt.
-Thank you.
-Well, what a day. Belfort,
do you think it's going to work?
-For Bucéphale, I hope so with all my heart.
-Come on, it's going to be all right.
-What would I do without your optimism, my dear Lupin?
-Not even a little better? -It's even worse.
It's all over.
The meadow awaits.
That's the way it is
Thank you for trying.
-I'm afraid Bucéphale is right, considering his condition.
They're going to replace him for the equestrian display.
-Replace him? Of course! Obviously!
That's the solution!
-Give the costume of Bucéphale to another horse?
-Yeah. Everyone will thinks it's him, but it will not.
-What a brilliant idea. Now we just need to find another horse.
-Uh, what? Wait, I've never been on a equestrian display before.
I'll never measure up, and we are not even the same color.
-No, we don't. Humans will never will be fooled.
-We must try.
-Alright, then.
If you really think... -Okay, listen to me ponies.
You show Ernest what to do.
Belfort and I are going to get the turkey costume.
-TO YOUR ORDERS.
-Ernest, let's start with the easiest, the Spanish steps.
Ready? Keep your hooves higher.
Left, right, left! My little one, in rhythm, I said.
And cross your legs. Better than that.
-I'm okay.
I'm good.
-I'm sorry, I'm very sorry.
The floor is slippery and my horseshoes are too old, and I...
Ah, I'm such a loser.
-(Poor guy, he's lost his marbles.)
-And you look like a turkey.
Ernest, you know, you remind me of myself at your age.
I was very clumsy, too.
-Were you really? -That's right. You'll get the hang of it.
With practice.
If only I could show you myself.
-That's where I come in.
I have attended many equestrian shows.
I know the choreography.
Diagonal. Spanish step.
paw the ground, bow, and...
-Belfort!
Tell me, where does it hurt?
You've got a huge piece of straw between your pads.
-Thank you for your intervention, my dear.
-Wait, Bucéphale, let me see your hoof.
There it is! It's a nail.
Humans leave them linger everywhere.
Good thinking, Lupin. No wonder the valets missed it.
It's small and hard to see. And certainly hard to remove.
-It would take tiny paws to catch it.
-We would need mouse paws?
-We'll be right back!
-The equestrian display is about to begin.
-It's too late.
-I'm not ready, I can't remember the steps.
-Comète.
-I know that I'm asking for a lot, but I'm grateful that you are helping me.
Whatever happens, don't forget that you're a great and noble steed.
Attention! -Aye, aye, sir!
-Bucéphale, Pleased to meet you, I'm new.
-Courage, boy. -Let's get you dressed. -Courage.
There.
Here we go, my little horse.
-Bucéphale? What are you doing
out of your stall? You don't seem to feel better?
I'll have to take you.
-How's the Marchioness de Montespan?
-Well.
-Get in there, come on!
-Come on, Bucéphale.
-Come on, hop!
-Oh no! -We're too late.
-We must act. -There's still time. Let's go!
Lupin, scare the valet away.
-I don't like doing this.
-This is an emergency. -Okay, I'll take care of it.
-Ah!
Wolf! Help!
-Poor guy, I hope I didn't scare him too much.
-Wolf! Go faster!
-Lupin!
-I've got it under control. At least for now.
-Oh, the king. -Trust yourself, Ernest.
-No, I can't remember the basics.
-Ernest?
-I think it starts with a curtsy. Right.
And..
-Bravo! Bravo!
-Looks like it's working.
-All I remember is the curtsy. Well...
Curtsey again.
-He's so polite.
-How about some help?
Please open the doors.
-Gazette will get rid of this ugly nail.
-Top of the morning to you, sir. -Yes, ma'am.
-Hoof.
-Hey, guys! Can you stop the cart?
Like now?
-I love broccoli. -Yeah, my little ponies?
-There you go. The string is attached, all you have to do is pull.
-Are you sure? -Well then, wimp?
-You're the wimp!
-Then it's... curtsy again.
-Don't worry, the cavalry's on its way.
-Thanks, fellas.
-Have faith in yourself, Ernest. You can do it.
-Curtsy? -Ready Ernest?
-Bucéphale!
-Follow my steps.
That's the way.
-How beautiful.
How wonderful.
-We're too good.
-It's true that we are good team, the three of us.
-Look! I can do it!
-At the time of Louis XIV, the automobile did not exist.
Horses were the ultimate means of transport.
In Versailles, the king's horses lived in the royal stables,
in front of the castle.
These two horseshoe-shaped buildings still stand today.
On one side, the big stable housed the horses ridden
by the royal family. They were the most beautiful and well trained.
On the other side, the small stable housed the carriage horses,
that pulled the carts and carriages.
In all, in the time of Louis XIV, several hundred horses provided work for over 1,500 people.
Squires, pages, coachmen, grooms,
manufacturers of saddles, spurs, horseshoes and more.
An absolute anthill.