It is one of the most recognizable pieces in the Nutcracker ballet. I've been to performances where audience members have clapped along to the music. It's based on a traditional Russian and Ukrainian folk dance called a trepak (tropak/tripak). 
It's an entertaining, energetic, fast paced dance with Cossak orgins. Loose, billowy trousers and blouses hint at horseback riding and is typically performed by men and features prisiadka (kicking the legs from a squatting position). 
This guy has a moustache and spiky hair peeking out from beneath his hat, and the shirt is embroidered with a combination of cross stitch, bullion stitch, back stitch, and French knots. This type of elaborate embroidery is common in Eurasian folk costumes. Red pants are also a variation that look good on this particular ornament. His body is two colored, and stitched together at the waist.
Don't worry about your stitches - the blouse will cover it. Most of my ornament patterns call for short stemmed 6 inch chenille stems, but for this one a regular pipe cleaner from the store will work just fine. The legs are pretty long, and you can trim any "fuzz" that escapes beyond the felt, if needed.
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