Behind The Scenes At Cavalia.... by Elizabeth
McCall
A
MATCH MADE IN HORSE HEAVEN
Equestrian Co-Directors
Frédéric Pignon and Magali Delgado may look like they came to
CAVALIA straight from a Hollywood casting agent, but the truth is the
attractive couple was brought together by horses.
Photos by Frédérick Chéhu
"I was giving riding
lessons and Fred came to give vaulting lessons," says Magali,
remembering the riding club where they first met 14 years ago in France.
"We had the same passion, we wanted to do shows together, and so we
thought it would be a good idea to put our energies together."
After performing together
in Europe, for two years in Santo Domingo, and making special appearances
in Orlando, Florida in between other engagements Frédéric and Magili
married in May 2003. Held near their home in France, the decidedly "horsey" wedding took place shortly before their departure for Canada to
work on CAVALIA. "We thought it was a good time," says Magali, whose
wedding bouquet included an abundance of carrots.
"There were 20 horses
outside the church," describes Magali. After the ceremony, the
newlyweds climbed aboard two of their Lusitano stallions and began a two
kilometer ride joined by friends on horseback, with a reception of sorts
in a pasture midway, where musicians were playing. The parents of the
bride and groom traveled via a horse-drawn carriage. "I was riding
Bandolero and I 'loaned' Dao to Fred," remarks Magali, who has
competed with Dao in dressage. Two of 13 Lusitano stallions appearing in
CAVALIA,
Bandolero and Dao reveal
their haute école (high school) training when Magali rides them in the
show.
More
behind-the-scenes
Cavalia updates coming soon, exclusively on BAEN!
Elizabeth
McCall is
CAVALIA's Horse Industry Liason. For general information
on CAVALIA, please contact: Françoise Cabana in Montreal,
Canada at 514-879-9002 Ext: 33, francoise.cabana@cavalia.net |
