Local trick riders soaring with ‘Cavalia’
By John Barlow
Editor, Western Wheel
Less than a year ago Sally Bishop and Rosalyn Beaton were trick riding in front of 1,000 fans at the Okotoks Indoor Pro Rodeo. Last weekend the duo were performing in front of thousands of awestruck fans in Scottsdale, Arizona in the show “Cavalia” — the most renowned live equestrian show in North America. “This is the most ambitious show I have ever been a part of,” said Bishop, who moved to Okotoks earlier this year.
“Cavalia” is the creation of Norman Latourelle who is also the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil. Latourelle said “Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Horse and Man” is his greatest accomplishment to date which is incredibly impressive when one considers his reputation with Cirque du Soleil.
“Cavalia” is a fascinating tale of the relationship between man and horse and how that relationship developed over centuries. But this incredible tale is told with the class, glamour, artistry and magic of any Cirque du Soleil performance.
The main difference is “Cavalia” includes 40 horses as the staple of the show along with 23 acrobats and riders. Among those riders are Bishop, 32, and Beaton, 18, who lives in Black Diamond when not on the road with “Cavalia”. Bishop joined the show after auditioning in Los Angeles in February. She auditioned despite some reservations. “I thought it was crazy,” said Bishop during a telephone interview from Scottsdale. “I couldn’t believe what they were saying could be done. It was impossible.”
What they were asking was for Bishop, a respected trick rider, to do tricks along with eight other riders at the same time, full speed on a 150-foot stage. During a rodeo, trick riders do three or four tricks in the arena alone. The creators of “Cavalia” were asking trick riders to do seven or 10 runs with several other riders and horses in a confined space.
“My father, who is a trick rider, said it had to be a non-horse person who came up with the ideas, because a horse person would not have even tried these things thinking they would be impossible,” said Bishop. The horses were able to achieve these amazing tasks in “Cavalia” through the training of renowned French horse trainer Frederic Pignon. Pignon has taught the 1,400-pound horses to march, run, play, dance and perform awe-inspiring tasks to new age music on stage with trick riders and acrobats flying on, over and around them.
After considering the opportunity, Bishop realized it was an experience she could not pass up. Surprisingly, Bishop remembers little about her first performance with “Cavalia” in Scottsdale, but she vividly recalls her second performance. “The first night I was just trying to survive,” admitted Bishop. “It goes so fast. It is all about timing and I was really focused.” She described backstage as a war zone where everyone has to react to the unexpected. Once she acclimatized her self she was able to savor what was going on around her. “The second night I paid attention to the crowd and they went insane. The applause were amazing. It was overwhelming.” Being a part of “Cavalia” was almost too much for Bishop to enjoy alone so when the creators were looking for another trick rider Bishop recommended Beaton who she trained with Red Rodeo Cowboy Girls, a trick riding outfit in Okotoks.
Beaton admits she was surprised she was asked to join the cast because of her young age. “I didn’t think they would take me, but this is a dream come true,” she said. “I am really excited.” Bishop had no doubts Beaton had what it took to be a part of “Cavalia”.
“She is doing so well,” said Bishop. “She has pulled it off really well and not just the trick riding, but all of the other things.” “Cavalia” puts its cast up in apartments and meals are provided, but living away from her Black Diamond hone for the first time has been trying at time for the teenager.
“You do get homesick,” said Beaton. “But my family knows this will be a good experience and they are happy for me. I hope to be here for a while.”
Beaton wasn’t in Scottsdale for long as “Cavalia” is now moving to Toronto after an extended stay in Arizona. The show was originally scheduled for one week in Scottsdale, but sold more than 20,000 tickets and was held over for two months. To see more on “Cavalia” visit the website at www.cavalia.net
