Has anyone seen Cavalia?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

http://www.equestriantimes.com/artman/publish/article_1667.shtml

Cavalia is a must-see extravaganza created by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of the famed Cirque du Soleil, which will take your breath away. Directed by Érick Villeneuve, Cavalia celebrates the relationship between horses and humans, in a way you have never seen before. Horses frolic with acrobats, aerialists, and entertainers in front of a constantly changing background, projected on a 200 ft wide screen, transporting the spectators to dream-like virtual settings. The audience is only feet-away, seated theatre-style facing an enormous 160 ft wide stage which allows the horses enough space to gallop and play – at times completely unfettered by bridles or halters – at full speed.
The show involves 50 horses, of which more than half are stallions – the rest geldings, 32 artists, riders, acrobats, aerialists, and dancers, as well as musicians, a vocalist, and the famous European ‘horse-whisperer’ Frederic Pignon and his wife, world-class rider Magali Delgado. Both are Equestrian Co-Directors of the production.


Frederic Pignon gets a kiss from a stallion (IENN photo)
Pignon and Delgado bring an approach to horses marked by kindness and respect, which shows in the horses’ eyes. Their training involves using finger and body gestures, clicking their tongues, and making a game out of routines. The normal aggressiveness of a stallion is channeled into playful focus. Pignon exudes patience and love for these horses. With his own mane of hair reaching far down his back, and white flowing robe, he becomes one with them, eyes never leaving theirs, and smiling with enjoyment all the while.

There are so many things that make this show unique and truly astonishing. Horse aficionados will appreciate the way the horses have been trained – not only are multiple stallions performing together, but are doing incredible movements without restraint. Amazingly the horses seem completely unaware of the acrobats, aerialists, or bungee artists, let alone the music or close proximity of the spectators. The beautiful four-legged performers react to the slightest of movement, touch, or whisper, virtually invisible to the general eye.

[LibertyLover]

1. I haven't but one of the lawyers in my office has

and raved about it. He is a horseman and owns several horses - jumpers mostly, but a one or two dressage - so I defer to his judgment.