Alethea - A Performer in the Making: Twelve Years to the Big Top

I remember that it was so cold I could see my breath, My hands were stiff, covered by two layers of oversized gloves that made it impossible to grasp or hold. We played leap frog on Paddington's croup, and I tried moves on a horse I never thought possible. These first wonderous moves on a Belgian in Christiansburg, Virginia brought me into the vaulting community and ignited a desire to do more.

My first vaulting clinic at the Mt Tabor barn in Blacksburg, Virginia was with Nancy Stevens-Brown. She amazed me then and continues to be my heroine. It was at this clinic that I met Del and Doris Dyer, the amazing couple who became my family and biggest supporters. Through six years of vaulting with the Mt Tabor team, attending regional and national competitions, and working with the USA Friendship Team, I learned collaboration skills, practiced teamwork, and had the privilege of seeing the highest level vaulters perform. This gave me something to work for - to excel in a sport I loved and spend time with the greatest creatures in the world, horses. I found that even when I was in the worst mood, I could go to vaulting, practice hard, connect with the horse, and feel lighter. The world still takes on a new perspective that rubs off on me and through me each time I vault.

Through all of the years in vaulting, I appreciated the discipline of the sport, but enjoyed it most when I was able to perform spontaneously in front of a crowd. The one vaulting performer who stood out, pushing the envelope and taking people out of their comfort zone through creative performance was Erik Martonovich. Erik was my favorite performer to watch, and I knew that if I wanted to take vaulting in the direction of on-the-edge creativity, he was the perfect coach. In June, 2000 I moved to Colorado and became a member of Golden Gate Vaulters and Big Horse Productions, Erik's new performing business. After 2000 Nationals I became the team coach for Golden Gate vaulters and began a great relationship with the Martonovich family. They taught me that winners aren't just born - but are grown through persistence and hard work. They taught me the true meaning of success while modeling the highest level of horsemanship every day in their training and coaching. I feel fortunate to have been able to work so closely with them and their horses.

During the few years that Erik and I performed in shows together, our goal was a career in vaulting performance. Although I had doubts that a full time career in this field was possible, Erik never doubted. He always told me that we were going to make it - be in the right place at the right time. We created a website and continued doing shows, including Equitana, Del Mar, National Western Stock Show, rodeos, Pat Parelli's Savvy Conference, state fairs, and occasional circus performances. We made costumes, choreographed routines, and stretched our goals into a vision that became real, one show at a time.


Eric Martonovich and Alethea in Montreal Canada

In January, 2003, we received an email from a company in Montreal, Quebec. Founding members of Cirque du Soleil were starting a new show about man's relationship with horse. They found our website and asked for a video. They asked if we were doing any live shows that they could check out. It was right before the National Western Stock Show for which we had put together a martial arts routine with live drummers. The producer of show, Normand Latourelle, flew from Montreal to Denver to watch us. We met with him after the show, and he shared his vision for the show, blueprints of the tent, and videos of the horse trainers. We were definitely interested. After a period of negotiation, contracts were sent and signed. We were ready to begin a new direction in our career.

Comet, Erik's 18 hand Belgian, was shipped to Montreal. We followed a week later. Our practice site was two hours from Montreal in a small town called Shawinigan. The tent for the stables was set up when we got there; we got the tour and were reunited with Comet who seemed happy and ready to work. We also met our equestrian trainers, Frederic Pignon, his wife Magali Delgado, and their beautiful Lucitanian stallions flown in from France.

As the troop arrived, we met other artists, musicians, tech crew, and administrative staff from all over the world. Life together in Quebec took some getting used to: a diverse group of people immersed in a community of French culture and language. Immediately we were thrown into practices that lasted ten to twelve hours a day with excellent trainers and coaches: acting, dance, acrobatics, trick riding, dressage, and aerial arts. There were times when I would have given ANYTHING to be in ANY part of the United States for just an hour or so for some English relief. But there were also times when I would be trying things that I would otherwise NEVER get to do. I remember one day we were playing around in the bungees: I was strapped in and Erik was cantering around on Comet. He would gallop away and let go of me. I would slingshot across the arena! It was the craziest feeling, and I remember thinking, "THIS is my JOB." No matter how stressed I got about it, I had such an overwhelming feeling of happiness and gratefulness. I knew I was in my right place and wasn't going anywhere.

The summer consisted of working and playing, determining strengths and weaknesses of artists, and trying out new things for the show. A family was formed. We did commercials, met with the Prime Minister of Canada, and prepared for the opening shows in Shawinigan. The breathtaking site of the Big Top emerged and the 1800 seats were sold out for each of the six performances before the show opened. We added shows that were sold out in hours after announcement. Sixteen shows later, we were ready for a short break and the first city performance in Toronto under our show's name, "Cavalia." At the edge of the historic Distillery District with masts over 100 feet high, the Big Top merged equine excellence and artistic expression. Once again the audiences experienced the circus refined, a perfect illustration of the bond that unites horses and humans.

The greatest part for me was hearing what people said after the show. They were touched and even cried. The show will tour Montreal and then the states and Mexico. I encourage all vaulters to experience the show. Although I am light years away from where I started on that cold day when I was 11, vaulting is still my passion and brings richness to my world. Erik and I are proof that you can take your sport to heights never imagined. By never giving up and resetting goals, life turns and twists and rewards you for your persistence.

- Alethea