Rickett's Circus

John Bill Ricketts had a short career however he managed to establish the first american circus, befriend George Washington, tour the East Coast, Canada and the West Indies with his company.The presented America with a new type of entertainment and blended equestrian with a theatrical performance. His abilities as a master rider set the tone for the circus. These were the highlights of the equestrian acts throughout the early 19th century, and from this many circus' followed in this style. Acts such as Flying Mercury and Egyptian Pyramids thrilled the lovers of daring horsemanship. He hit financial difficultly in  1799, this stopped him continuing with the circus. Barnum and Bailey, Ringling Brothers and Cirque de Soleil owe their success to the pathway of the Rickett's circus.