GREENBRIER, Ark. - Alberto Zoppe, whose somersaults from one horse to another helped him earn a place in the circus world's "Ring of Fame," died March 5. He was 87.

Zoppe died in Greenbrier after entering hospice care. His wife, Sandra Zoppe, confirmed his death.

Zoppe had emigrated to the United States in 1948 in a trade with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, his widow said. In return for Ringling sending an elephant to the Zoppe circus in Italy, Zoppe would perform in America.

Zoppe often worked with Pascha the Wonder Horse, who lived to age 38, was housebroken and could answer questions by shaking its head or stomping a hoof, his widow said.

Giovanni Alberto Zoppe was born in Italy on Jan. 4, 1922, and performed equestrian acts since his youth in the family circus. He had lived in Conway since the 1990s.

In 2007, Zoppe was inducted into the Ring of Fame at Sarasota, Fla. Many circuses have their offseason headquarters near Sarasota.