Rare war horses that now dazzle audiences all over the world will be coming to Bristol as a part of their annual summer tour.

The Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria are a rare breed of horse originally established by Archduke Charles at Lipizza for use in the military, as they are a light and fast breed. Today, they are mostly used for show as well as dressage competition, during which they show off their beauty and grace as they execute a series of kicks and jumps that at one point were common moves used by the horses in the military.

Throughout history the Lipizzan Stallions have faced extinction many times, most recently during World War II. During some of the last days of the war, the Russians tried to capture the horses and use them for food for their hungry soldiers. When U.S. General, George Patton, a lover of horses himself, learned of the horses’ whereabouts, he and his army rescued them from extinction.

Today, there are fewer than 3,000 purebred Lipizzan Stallions in the world and the number of foals born each year is extremely small. Luckily, Bristol will get a chance to see this rare breed of horse and to see their “Airs Above the Ground” performance.

The stallions will perform at Colt State Park on Aug. 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets cost $18 for adults in advance or $20 at the gate, and will cost $12 for children in advance or $15 at the gate.

Tickets can be bought in advance at The First Congregational Church on High Street, Gils TV and Appliances on Metacom Avenue, and Paper, Packaging, and Panache on Hope Street. They are also available online at Horses.BrownPaperTickets.com.