This June, Affinity Place will host the high-flying hoof and heart-pounding excitement of an acrobatic equestrian show entitled Ma’Ceo. The June 1 show, runs at 4:00 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m., will feature a combination of acrobatics and horse riding, and a number of impressive stunts many will have never seen before.
“It involves several different breeds of horses; Paso Finos, Percherons, Belgian horses, Andalusians, Lusitanos, Friesians; all these beautiful exotic horse breeds. They play different roles through the show,” said Olissio Zoppe, the director of, and a performer in the show.
Ma’Ceo is an event put on in conjunction with the WaWa Shriners of Regina, and features an international cast of singers, dancers, acrobats, equestrians and aerialists working together to create a wide variety of entertainment for guests.
“You don’t necessarily have to be a horse lover to enjoy the show,” noted Zoppe. “It’s really based off sheer excitement and beauty.”
Ma’Ceo is structured around performances that focus on the horses, whether those performances are entrances, exits, acrobatic maneuvers, ground tumbling or theatrical moments, equestrianism is the basis of the show. Feats like juggling and standing routines on horseback are among some of the most exciting offerings
While Ma’Ceo has roots in the traditional circus, Zoppe noted the show coming to the Energy City it is unique in that there is continuity between its the various acts.
“Typically, a traditional North American circus is a series of acts that really don’t have any connection between each other, or linkage between the acts. It’s just, pretty much, a variety show in that case,” said Zoppe. “The similarity we have with the circus is that we have circus elements, which are the horses.”
Zoppe said that horses technically “gave birth” to the traditional circus, noting that the ring size and other properties of how contemporary circuses are organized came from the necessity of accommodating horses in the ring. In that respect Ma’Ceo is true to the roots of the circus.
“But we do completely original equestrian acts you’ve never seen in any circus,” said Zoppe. “There is a relationship (between our show and traditional circuses). We have theatrics in our show, but it’s in a more modern style.”
Zoppe noted that the Estevan performance of Ma’Ceo will be the first time it will take place in Saskatchewan, and Canada as a whole.
“It’s exciting. We travel all over the place with the show. We’ve been to Hawaii and Alaska, all over North America. Our first time performing in Canada will be a big moment for us,” said Zoppe. “We have really strong numbers. My two favourite numbers are the Cossack act, a Russian-style trick riding act, in which the horses are moving at a very fast pace.
“The other is our family act, which is a bareback riding act that gave birth to the whole show. That’s standing on the backs of horses, doing somersaults, jumps and building pyramids.”
To prepare for the show, Zoppe noted the performers go through rigorous, disciplined training; since it requires acrobatic skill, and the ability to understand how to ride and work with a horse.
“We have to be able to do both, and you need to have a series of understanding of your own body, and also, the animal you’re working with. It can be very challenging, but it’s also very, very rewarding.”
