A troupe of French Canadians have invaded the US West Coast with a brilliant showcase of man and equine artists in a theatrical production called Cavalia.

"Cavalia is an invented word for an invented concept," explained Martin Roy, Cavalia publicist. "Of course, there's the root 'caval', that brings 'cheval' (horse in French), 'cavalcade', 'cavalry'.It's just a good-sounding word." It's a great eye-catching performance.

Cavalia is a breathtaking display of human artists playing and performing with their equine companions. Many of the 36 horses perform unbridled and unrestrained, playing as if in a game with their human cohorts. The show is a display of horsemanship in the purest form-without restraint or whip.

Dreamy white Lusitano stallions run at full gallop around the 150-foot wide stage while the performers guide them gently by gesture and persuasion. This training is based "on a relationship of trust rather than dominance", according to Andre Dallaire, DVM, MVSc.

He continues to note that Cavalia's equine relationship-style of training includes work with a group of Quarter Horses with no previous show experience.

Equine artists include, of course, the fabulous Lusitano Stallions from the South of France, Quarter Horses, and a few performers from draft breeds such as Percherons and Belgians.

The white Lusitano is one of the most ancient breeds of horses and most pure. Originally from the Iberian Peninsula, modern day Portugal and Spain. They are easily trained and excel in dressage; jumping, driving and as pleasure mounts. They are also the stars of the show. Audiences feel the deep relationship and mutual love between man and beast most when performer Frederic Pignon chases and gets chased by two of his stallions Templado and Aetes. The latter shares a tender moment with the show's co-director during the program.

It's not all horses though, the circus includes acrobats, contortionists, aerialists, live musicians and singers, and dreamy scenery projected on the back curtain. Special effects include a rainfall and leaves that actually drop onto audience members.

Cavalia is scheduled to close late in 2006 back in Canada in Montreal, Quebec whjere it all began. Horse fans interested in attending Cavalia can find out tour dates as they materialize, by logging on to their website at www.cavalia.net.

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