Horses and Acrobats. We started throwing this idea around a couple of years ago. We were concerned about what we would do if the RCMP actually accepted our invitation to perform here. The last time they were here (2004) was before we moved the Horse Show into the period before the Ex, and we made that move so that the Coliseum could be used during the fair. The set-up of the Coliseum is a big deal in either of its available “modes”. If used as an ice surface, it takes time to make ice. If used for horses, a lot of dirt (officially called “tanbark” due to its colour) is required.
This year, the RCMP offered to return for the Labour Day weekend. If they could have come for opening weekend it might have been different, but it would have silly to leave the tanbark in for the Horse Show, remove it and make ice for another skating show, and then re-install the tanbark for the RCMP. The tanbark would have to stay, and tanbark isn’t good for much of anything other than horses.
The company that produced the ice-skating/aerial acrobatic shows for the past three years, ISF Entertainment, listened to our suggestions about combining horses and acrobatics and the rest is, as they say, history. Similar to the skating/acrobatics show, ISF brought together performers who had never worked together, hired a talented director, enlisted the support of the choreographer who had done such a great job with the skaters, and put together a 30-minute spectacle. Audience reaction has been unanimously positive. The show has to close this coming Thursday to make room for the RCMP and the Rodeo, so I know that the remaining shows will be packed.