This ballet was highly popular in Vienna at the time. For composers of that era, creating works that pleased their patrons for performances in aristocratic salons was an important task, and consequently, popular musical themes were often incorporated into piano variations.

This particular work was dedicated to Countess Browne as a token of gratitude for a horse she had given him. However, it is said that Beethoven was not particularly skilled at riding this horse and quickly parted with it after only a few rides.