Forty-two majestic horses, stars of the multimedia and acrobatic spectacular Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse, arrived by semi-trailers in Brisbane yesterday after a relaxing 21-day stay at Eastern Creek Animal Quarantine Station in Sydney and were welcomed like rock stars.
Prior to the mandatory government quarantine in New South Wales, the four-legged performers flew across the Pacific Ocean from the show’s last stop in San Diego, California, aboard a chartered MD-11 aircraft equipped with roomy airstalls. For the transoceanic voyage to the Land Down Under, the Cavalia herd, constituted of 10 breeds hailing from Canada, Europe, and the USA, was accompanied by a dedicated team of Cavalia’s equine specialists.
Before, during and after transport, a 20-person stables team including trainers, veterinarian, health technicians, grooms and farrier create a comfortable environment and provide daily health care, grooming and activity. Once settled in their 1,500 square-metre stables, the horses each have a designated box with ample space to stretch, lie down, sprawl out, roll and relax.
They always have the same neighbors to ensure that their environment is familiar and comfortable in each city. Every day horses get their share of pampering, including a shower, grooming, massage, workshops with their riders and outings to the paddocks where they roam and play.
The performance aspect for each horse lasts roughly 12 minutes. The rest of their daily activities include warm-up, recoup, grooming and free time.
Cavalia’s horse training is based upon a philosophy of understanding horses, rather than making horses understand the humans around them. The tone of the show, embraced by the entire company, is one of mutual respect, kindness, patience, and trust. Audiences have found Cavalia exhilarating in scope, yet touching in the compassion shown by both horse and human.
From March 6, 2013, Brisbane is to host the Australian premiere season of Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse under the company’s famed signature White Big Top in the parking lot adjacent to DFO at Brisbane Airport. The multimedia equestrian and acrobatic spectacular features 42 horses from 10 different breeds - including Spanish Purebred, Quarter Horse, Paint Horse and Lusitano - and 36 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians from around the world. Under a 35-metre-tall tent, the two and four-legged performers share the colossal 50 metre-wide stage in front of a constantly changing 60-metre-wide digital screen, drawing spectators into a dream-like world.
TICKETS – For its exclusive season in Brisbane, Cavalia will be presented under its signature White Big Top in the parking lot adjacent to DFO at Brisbane Airport. Tickets are priced from $39.00 to $155.00 + applicable taxes and fees. For guests who desire an extraordinary outing, the show can be customized for an extended experience from $134.00 to $315.00, including a Horse Lovers Package that lets patrons tour Cavalia’s stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package that includes a post-show tour of the stables, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing is also available for children (2-12), juniors (13-17), senior citizens (65+) and for groups.
ABOUT CAVALIA INC. – Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Cavalia Inc. operates two separate touring shows, Cavalia and Odysseo, both of which marry the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-before-seen levels. Cavalia, seen by some 3.5 million people across North America and Europe since its 2003 debut, celebrates the relationship between humans and horses by loosely recounting the evolution of this bond. Odysseo, which premiered in autumn 2011, takes the next step, leading viewers on a journey through some of the breathtaking landscapes horses have helped humans discover around the globe. Follow Cavalia Inc.’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia.
Tickets can be purchased here
Story & Photo: Local Horse Magazine