Shadowfax the showbiz veteran rides again

Blanco, the white Andalusian horse which featured in the Lord of the Rings movies as the sorcerer Gandalf's horse Shadowfax, has taken on a new show business role in America.

Blanco, a showbiz veteran after four years of work in the LOTR movies and two years on the set of the Hercules television series, is now performing in equestrian shows.

The horse is now owned by Cynthia Royal, of Sudley Springs in Virginia, who plans to use him in a performance of tackless riding - without the saddle - and other horse tricks.

After the Las Vegas-style shows planned by McCormack, Blanco will probably return to film work.