WINNIPEG, MB (TUESDAY, MAY 8 2018) @Cavalia #Odysseo – Seventy majestic horses, stars of the $30 million theatrical production Cavalia Odysseo, have officially taken up residence at their new home in Winnipeg ahead of the equestrian extravaganza’s first show on May 12.

Arriving from a relaxing 10-day vacation at a lavish nearby equestrian facility under the watchful eye of a dedicated team of Cavalia’s equine specialists, the 70 horses have settled into their spacious 1,600 square-metre stable tent next to Cavalia Odysseo’s signature White Big Top raised at the intersection of Sterling Lyon Parkway and Kenaston Boulevard. The specially equipped trailers transporting the four-legged stars to Winnipeg were the last to arrive of the 110 semi-trailer trucks necessary to move the world’s largest touring production from its previous stop in Phoenix, Arizona. Following their red-carpet arrival, the horses reconnected with their human co-stars and will soon start rehearsals ahead of the premiere show next week.

The Odysseo herd is comprised of 13 different breeds of horses – Appaloosa, Arabian, Canadian Horse, Holsteiner, Lusitano, Paint Horse, Percheron Hanoverian Cross, Quarter Horse, Selle Français, Thoroughbred, Spanish Purebred (P.R.E.), Miniature horse and Warlander. Before, during and after transport, a 20-person stables team including trainers, health technicians and groomers create a comfortable environment and provide the horses with daily health care, grooming and activities. In their spacious stable tent, the horses each have a designated box with ample space to stretch, lie down, sprawl out, roll and relax. They always have the same neighbours to ensure a familiar and comforting environment in each city.

Every day the horses receive their share of pampering, including showers, grooming, massages, 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 also include warm-up and free time. Cavalia Odysseo’s horse training is based on communication, observation and patience as well as a keen understanding of each horse’s talents and needs. The tone of the show, embraced by the entire company, is one of mutual respect, kindness and trust.

With only four days before Cavalia Odysseo makes its much-anticipated return to Winnipeg, workers are completing the installation of the largest touring production in the world.

Cavalia Odysseo is a unique theatrical production and a grandiose multi-dimensional spectacle. Audiences are taken to a live Hollywood-style movie set, where the moving interactions between human and horse are at the heart of the action. Layers of mesmerizing decor are combined with live music, gravity-defying acrobatics and aerial stunts. Add the staggering effects created by state-of-the-art scenery creating a sumptuous feast for the senses.

TICKETS – Ticket prices range from $29.50 to $149.50 + applicable fees. For a memorable outing, the Rendez-Vous package offers the best seats in the house, a full meal buffet dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit to the stables after the show. This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous package prices range from $99.50 to $269.50 + applicable fees. Special pricing and packages are also available for groups of 12 spectators and more. Tickets for Cavalia Odysseo are now available at www.cavalia.com/winnipeg , by calling 1-866-999-8111 or through Ticketmaster.

ABOUT CAVALIA INC. – Cavalia Inc. is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows. Founded by Normand Latourelle, the company reimagines the equestrian and theatrical arts. With its headquarters in Montreal, Cavalia Inc. is an integral part of Canada’s cultural heritage, and the largest Canadian-owned cultural enterprise. Its expertise in high technology, multimedia and special effects creates magical, unique, never-before-seen experiences. Its first show, Cavalia, has been seen by more than 4 million people across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia since its 2003 debut. Odysseo, the company’s second show, has toured to rave reviews and public acclaim since its 2011 premiere. Follow Cavalia’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia. @Cavalia #Odysseo

MEDIA CONTACT 

KAREN ILCHENA COMMUNICATIONS
Karen Ilchena | ilchena@shaw.ca |Mobile: 204-781-5944

FACTS ABOUT OUR FOUR-LEGGED STARS

• Cavalia Odysseo features 70 horses of 13 different breeds: Appaloosa, Arabian, Canadian Horse, Warmblood, Lusitano, Paint Horse, Percheron Hanoverian Cross, Quarter Horse, Selle Français, Thoroughbred, Spanish Purebred (P.R.E.), Miniature Horse and Warlander.
• The horses are from Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Australia, the United States and Canada.
• The average age of the horses is 9 with the youngest at 6 and the oldest at 14.

STATE-OF-THE-ART CARE

• Cavalia Odysseo has a 20-person stables team consisting of trainers, veterinarian, health technicians, groomers and a farrier to create a comfortable environment and provide daily health care, grooming and activities.
• The stable team works from 7:00 am to midnight every day.
• Each day, the grooms brush the horses with a rubber curry to activate their blood circulation. They also treat the horses’ feet and hydrate them with grease.
• Each horse has its own bridle and soft bites.
• Each year, 73,000 bags of wood chips are used. Shaving in each box is changed every day.
• There are 10 oversize showers in the stables. Each horse gets his share of pampering, including shower, and grooming.
• Every night, after each show, horses are braided so their mane stays healthy, long and shiny.

DAILY LIFE

• A program of stretching and gymnastic is part of their daily routine.
• The horses go outside in the paddocks every day where they roam and play and enjoy the weather.
• The horses each have a designated box with ample space to stretch, lie down, sprawl out, roll and relax.
• The riders spend a lot of time with their horses. Cavalia Odysseo’s horse training is based upon a philosophy of understanding the needs, the preferences and the emotions of the four-legged stars. The tone of the show, embraced by the entire company, is one of mutual respect, kindness, patience, and trust.
• The performance aspect for each horse lasts roughly 12 minutes. The rest of their daily activities include warm-up, grooming and free time.

NUTRITION

• 8 meals are provided per day: 5 meals of hay and 3 meals of grain.
• 15 000 bales of hay and 32 metric ton (70 400 pounds) of grains are consumed per year.
• On Sunday evening, the horses receive special treats. On the menu: apples and carrots.
• Eachhorse has adietbased on their individual needs.
• Linseed oil is added to their food to moisturize their mane and skin.

FACTS ABOUT THE HUMAN CO-STARS

• Cavalia Odysseo features 50 artists: riders, ground-based acrobats, Chinese pole acrobats, stilt walkers, aerialists, dancers and musicians
• The artists are hailing from around: Canada, the United States, Brazil, France, Guinea (Africa), Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and Italy
• 9 languages are spoken at Cavalia Odysseo: English, French, Russian, Spanish, Susu, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Ukrainian
• They are 5 band members who perform live at every show: a bassist, a drummer, a guitarist, a violinist and a vocalist
• The lyrics of the songs are in Italian. The ground-based acrobats from Guinea also join in for vocals in Susu on a few songs
• Artists needs on average between one month to a year of specific training before integrating the show
• Many of the 50 artists are trained to perform more than one discipline showcased in Cavalia Odysseo
• The on-site kitchen prepares more than 300 meals daily for artists and support staff.
• There are 350 costumes and 100 pairs of shoes and boots in the show. Artists may have up to seven different costumes.
• An artist may have no more than 30 seconds to do a quick costume change between numbers.
• One of the breathtaking number called ”Tempête” (The Storm) features 9 hoops and 10 aerialists in a perfectly choreographed ”ballet in the sky”. The act ends with real rain pouring on stage!
• Ground-based acrobats from Guinea open a one-of-a-kind act called “Fête du Village”, running into view, tumbling and becoming human pyramids, clearly enjoying their ability to have fun and engaging the audience in their sense of play. Other acrobats on stilts bound into view, the high-tech devices they wear like futuristic leg extensions giving them the ability to jump and run with incredible speed and height. Just like the horses.
• Acrobats specifically shine in an act called “Carosello“ : A night sky of northern lights and shooting stars sets the mood for drama and mystery. From high above the stage, a fantastical real-life merry-go-round descends, adorned with white horses that evoke the living equines of Odysseo. Creating a graceful dance as their movements take them up and down the poles, the acrobats depict emotions and relationships through their poetry in motion, strength and poise, turning a carrousel ride into a tale of human encounters as old as time and as fresh as each nightfall.
• Audiences of all ages will be mesmerized by “Les Anges” (The Angel): a perfect demonstration of the marriage between stage arts and equestrian arts. Four white silk-clad angels ride onto the stage, riding pillion behind their cavaliers who are mounted on elegant grey Spanish Purebred and Lusitano horses. Only as the angels rise upward does it become clear that their silks are not costumes but aerial silks. High above the stage, the angels wrap and unwrap themselves in silk to create extraordinary scenes of beauty. On the ground, riders and their elegant equine partners keep pace with the circling angels above, using the silks to propel, help guide and support their angels.