The horses performing in acrobatic show Cavalia have arrived for the Aug 12 premiere
Equestrian theatrical act Cavalia is all good to go for its premiere on Aug 12. The big top tent was set up a couple of weeks ago, and now, the stars of the show have arrived just in time.
Created by Normand Latourelle who was one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil, the show has travelled across North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East prior to coming here. The production features 50 horses and 46 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians from all over the world.
Horsing Around
In Cavalia, the horses perform alongside the artists in front of a 60m wide screen on a 50m wide stage, giving the horses ample playground to perform. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek in the stables of Cavalia and experience the behind-the-scenes care of the horses.
The horses were transported from a farm in Europe where they were on a five-week rest break to Singapore on a chartered 747 aircraft with roomy air stalls. The Cavalia herd comprises 11 different breeds of horses such as Arabian, Spanish Purebred, Percheron, Paint Horse and Comtois.
When asked about the horses adjustment to the climate in Singapore, trainer and performer Fairland Ferguson told us that they shed hair according to the “seasons and light change” and the stables were also climatised to suit the horses.
If you think Fairland resembles a certain cartoon character, you eyes aren’t deceiving you. The Disney team caught a Cavalia show with her in it and supposedly came up with the inspiration for Merida from Brave.
She says, “Well, they didn’t come right out and say it obviously, but they did come down in San Francisco and the next thing I knew, Brave came out. Her name is Merida Fergus and my name is Fairland Ferguson…I am flattered nonetheless!”
Well Groomed
The US-born Fairland has been with Cavalia for six years and she performs Roman Riding or trick riding with a brown and white horse named Henry which was nestling in the stable nearby as we spoke to her. In other stables, a large Comtois named Renato was having his blond mane braided.
Renato was saved from a meat-farm seven years ago and is blind in one eye, he’s been with the Cavalia crew since. The horses also get deep tissue massages, baths and proper daily healthcare to ensure humane treatment of the four-legged stars. Some of the horses were spotted with brands, but they were already there when Cavalia got them. The show does not brand its horses.
As Cavalia is a live show, the content of the programme may vary depending on the horses well-being. The horses are worked five days a week, typically. Much like a humans actually. Fairland says, “If the horses are ill, they don’t perform. There’s always a backup act or we’ll cut that act from the show. That’s the beauty of a live show.”
While we were there, we could see the love and passion the crew had for the horses as they cared and stroked them. We even caught a few trainers pecking the horses on the head a few times. We can’t wait to watch the actual show.
Tickets are priced from $58+ to $188 +. It will be in Singapore until Sep 14.
Visit www.cavalia.sg or Sistic for tickets.
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