Christmas pantomimes are already a rebellion of color, costumes and craziness. Including horses to the combo may just deliver any other stage of chaos, however it’s a problem that manufacturer Nicky de Neumann relishes. This month, Nicky, who runs the all-female stunt group Equestrienne Stunt Presentations, is generating Cinderella, her first horseback pantomime. It’s working in December and January, at venues around the south of England.
“I educated as an actress, so I’ve achieved immediately panto,” says Nicky. “Cinderella has been a factor for me for ages. It’s the affection of a problem coupled with the need to be inventive. I’ve at all times been within the fusion of horses and theatre, and it’s been my lifestyles’s paintings to do this – and to pay the farrier and hay guy over the wintry weather!”
Nicky had a moderately customary horsey upbringing. Elderly six, she was once determined for a pony, however her mom informed her she’d wish to save up and purchase one herself. By the point she was once 11, she had £500 in her piggy financial institution, and acquired a four-year-old Welsh cob named Jester. She did Pony Membership, leaping, gymkhanas – “I cherished anything else with pace” – but if she reluctantly permitted Jester was once no longer going to take her to the highest of the showjumping tree, she switched to educating him stunts.
“I did paintings revel in when I used to be 14 with this wonderful outdated man known as Rodeo Dave, who used to trick-ride a bull, and I joined his group,” she says. “In 2005, I ran away to the circus with my formative years pony.”
There adopted a two-year stint with Giffords Circus, and later with Zippos. Nicky learnt to do the can-can at the again of a horse, was once taught how you can Roman-ride by means of the cossacks, and all types of stunts.
“However I discovered it so irritating that they used to need the lads to do the cool stuff, whilst the women would play the princess, do one beautiful trick after which stand within the nook,” Nicky says. “So I began an all-girl trick-riding group, Equestrienne Stunt Presentations, and we’ve been traveling ever since, acting stunts corresponding to jousting, gladiators and Vikings at nation displays.”
Nicky de Neumann coaching Zeus at house for his function in Cinderella. Credit score Equipassion UK
Cinderella horseback pantomime: the primary gamers
The forged of Cinderella is in large part made up of the Equestrienne Stunt Presentations group, even supposing Prince Captivating shall be performed by means of trick-rider Freddy Steele. Freddy will carry out tips on considered one of on Nicky’s horses, however he’ll additionally do a pas-de-deux along with his female friend Holly Baber, a running equitation champion, and a solo act with the couple’s gorgeous Portuguese horses.
“The attraction of Cinderella is that it’s a brand new display that’s by no means been achieved ahead of,” says Freddy, who were given into trick-riding by accident when he was once working a horse coaching industry. “The spotlight goes to be bringing the tale in combination on gorgeous horses.”
Cinderella shall be performed by means of Kat Pickering, who has carried out with probably the most maximum prestigious groups within the nation together with the Devils Horsemen and Atkinson Motion Horses, on the likes of Horse of the 12 months Display and the London Global. Regardless of the joys this includes, she says her “genuine pastime lies in classical dressage and liberty, combining the 2 disciplines to create equestrian artwork”. The function of Cinderella calls for a brand new ability set.
“I’ve been doing reside displays for 8 years however it’s most often simply stunts,” she says. “Doing an appearing function with strains whilst additionally having to paintings with the horses shall be an exhilarating problem.”
Kat shall be driving Sheba, considered one of Nicky’s gray Arabs, and can perform a little paintings bridleless.
“It’s going to be a spotlight to look Cinderella doing tips, I don’t assume that’s within the customary tale!” provides Kat, who were given into stunt paintings after completing her level. “I simply Googled horses for TV after seeing some horses on a display I used to be looking at. I assumed it gave the look of a amusing hole yr and was once having a look to groom, perhaps experience a little bit. I definitely didn’t be expecting to finally end up striking up facet down, nor for this to change into my occupation. However I’ve had some fantastic alternatives and I’m so happy I did that Google seek.”
The Fairy Godmother (Elena Procopiu) driving a real-life unicorn, Zeus. Credit score Equipassion UK
The Fairy Godmother shall be performed by means of actor, comic, creator and voice-over artist Elena Procopiu, whilst Nicky shall be enjoying considered one of Cinderella’s Unsightly Sisters, along fellow trick-rider Alex Opgenoort.
“We’re going to be bad-mannered, outrageous rock chicks and price round doing stunts,” says Nicky. “I’ll Roman-ride my horses Phoenix and Zeus and we’ll do different tips, too.”
Nicky places Phoenix and Zeus thru their paces, Roman-riding the pair as considered one of Cinderella’s Unsightly Sisters. Credit score Equipassion UK
The equine stars of the Cinderella horseback pantomime
Nicky equine group are an eclectic bunch. Her best horse, any other gray Arab, named Zeus, is nearing retirement on the age of 23, however he’s her horse of an entire life, having taken Nicky from acting the can-can at Giffords to heading up her group nowadays. The black thoroughbred Phoenix is an ex-hurdler, whose speciality is leaping thru hearth. She additionally has a tender black Spanish horse, who had a colic operation within the spring, however shall be again at the circuit subsequent season. Then there are her daughter’s ponies, considered one of which – Zorro – will pull the carriage within the display.
Practicing stunts aboard ex-racehorse Phoenix. Credit score Equipassion UK
“I’ve all types of horses,” Nicky says. “If I used to be smart, I’d simply have quiet, workmanlike ones – seeking to do it with Arabs and thoroughbreds is difficult however I really like them. You want some intelligence. Friesians are so good-looking however they’re sluggish freshmen.”
Nicky’s modus operandi is to seek out what a horse excels at and enjoys, and to concentrate on that. She at all times trains with certain reinforcement, the usage of a lot of polos and creating a fuss.
“You’ll inform if a horse is worked up and educated in a good method,” she says. “Every person has sturdy qualities, and I’m at all times ready to paintings with any quirks they’ll have.
“My ethos is if the horses are satisfied and so they like me, they’ll need to do it. Mine are all became out 24/7 in summer season, all day in wintry weather. I virtually by no means promote them – they’re a part of my circle of relatives and I’ve spent hours and hours coaching and loving them. They’re my small children.”
Cinderella’s target audience are in for a swashbuckling festive deal with, oh sure they’re.
Tickets for Cinderella are to be had at equestrienneproductions.co.united kingdom and eventbrite.co.united kingdom
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