WINNIPEG – The countdown is on until the largest touring horse production in the world kicks off in Winnipeg for the first time.
Odysseo showcases equestrian arts with theatrical special effects on stage, produced by Cavalia, a creative entertainment company.
A mammoth top tent was raised at Sterling Lyon Parkway and Kenaston Boulevard this week as a team of hundreds prepare for the opening show.
WATCH: Huge tent rises ahead of Odysseo in Winnipeg
“There’s acrobatics, we have stilters and then the horses jumping as well… completely free on stage,” said horse rider Emmy Love who has been with Odysseo for a year and a half.
Love is one of six girls Roman riding in the show which involves standing on two horses as well as jumping. Another act she does with just a necklace around the horse’s neck.
WATCH: Emmy Love talks about her role, her horse and the enormous Odysseo production:
“It’s all about weight shifting and your body leg movement and everything,” said Love.
The horses perform every night during the production and there is a hill on stage that uses a lot of their muscles so proper recovery is important, Love also said.
A typical day for her starts at around 9 a.m. with gymnastics class, lessons, strengthening and stretching the horses.
“Life on tour is a very different than a normal life,” Love said. “It’s definitely doing something we love every day and then being able to show it off on stage in front of thousands of people.”
Aerial soloist Brennan Figari knows the challenges of life on the road. He has worked with Odysseo since it started back in 2011 and has a background in circus performing, starting his career with flying trapeze.
WATCH: Brennan Figari talks about his role and the Odysseo production:
“Adding a horse element to it is just a completely different thing for me,” said Figari who starts getting ready for the show about three hours before to do hair, makeup, warm ups and eat.
Figari is currently learning Liberty which is where the horses are behind the performers with no saddles, running freely on the ground in front of them.
The shows will explore how the relationship between humans and horses has evolved while showcasing some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.
“If you don’t really like horses you can watch the acrobatics… if you don’t like that, just the architecture and the engineering behind the tent and then there’s the set,” Figari said. “Anyone from a toddler to your grandma could probably find something that they really enjoy about Odysesso.”
About 70 horses will start arriving in the city on Sept. 3 and 4. The $30-million production is currently in Montreal until Aug. 23 and runs from Sept. 10 to Oct. 4 in Winnipeg.
PHOTO GALLERY: Odysseo in action in Montreal, Quebec
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