The white horses of the equestrian arena spectacular El Caballo Blanco are coming to New Zealand for shows throughout the country early next year.
|
El Caballo Blanco: The Dance of the White Stallions returns to New Zealand early next year.
|
The fully choreographed El Caballo Blanco: The Dance of the White Stallions will be performed in Whangarei, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill, from January to March 2012. The show is returning after a visit to New Zealand in early 2011.
The horses of Spain are some of the most celebrated in history, favoured for centuries by European royalty, equestrian riders and bullfighters. This performance will celebrate the tradition, athleticism and grace of these revered creatures.
The show is led by world-renowned riding master Rene Gasser who, with the experiences of seven generations, has recreated an event only previously seen at the famous riding schools in Vienna and Spain.
Gasser grew up in the Swiss town of Shaffheusen, near the banks of the river Rhein, amongst a family of horse lovers. He was first introduced to horses at the age of six when his grandmother gifted him a small pony. He went on to work with some of the world's best trainers and riders throughout Europe.
Deciding to make Australia his home, Gasser took his passion for European horses and the disciplines of the famous Spanish Riding School and set up his own show similar to those he had been involved with in Europe, undertaking the arduous task of locating and training the right horses necessary for such shows.
The El Caballo Blanco New Zealand shows run from January to March 2012.
|
In 2003, Gasser's determination and hard work paid off and his dream became a reality when his maiden production, Gala of the Royal Horses, took the stage for the first time in front of an audience of 12,000 people at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. The show toured Australia and New Zealand and was seen by tens of thousands.
Following the success of their initial show, Gasser and his Polish-born wife, Barbara, who looks after the business side of operations, produced Lipizzaners with the Stars and Equestra - both of which were extremely well received.
Throughout their touring, the Gassers found themselves being constantly asked if their horses were the ones from El Caballo Blanco - a theme park that had once been operating in Catherine Field on the outskirts of Sydney whose main attraction had been its dancing Andalusian stallions. With people frequently exclaiming to the couple that they had not seen such beautiful horses since then, the Gassers were motivated to recreate the show that the public was missing.
For New Zealand audiences, El Caballo Blanco: The Dance of the White Stallions is a special treat as the Gassers bring their company and horses across the Tasman to perform in seven centres. Rene and Barbara are particularly looking forward to taking the show to Christchurch after being forced to cancel the Christchurch show following the February 2011 earthquake.
Along with the magnificent stallions, Spanish flamenco dancers will feature in authentic vibrant costumes and the mellow notes of a guitar to bring the sights and sounds of Spain a heartbeat away.