On May 25th, the world’s largest touring production gallops into Calgary. Seen by over 2.5 million people throughout the world, Cavalia involves 39 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians combined with 49 spectacular horses.

It was a little hard to imagine it during a recent press event, held at Canada Olympic Park where the world’s largest big top can be seen from the Trans Canada highway. In typical Calgary fashion, the day was cold and snowy - workers had media cringing as they stomped along the roof 33 metres above the ground, kicking cascades of snow to the ground. While the weather may have affected plans to raise the big top for media, it didn’t cool the enthusiasm and energy of Cavalia’s President, CEO and artistic director Normand Latourelle.

"We are very happy and proud to bring Cavalia to Calgary at last. We have been touring for over eight years. The window to have it in Calgary is very short because of the weather and every time I wanted to bring it here it wasn’t possible. So here we are today, about to finish the show in Vancouver and then we will start in Calgary," he told media at the press conference.

In addition to having a world renowned show in the city, Cavalia also results in a great financial influx to the local economy, said Tourism Calgary President and CEO Randy Williams.

"The world-class show and massive big top represent an excellent draw for tourism to Calgary enhancing our city’s reputation as a dynamic, cultured city while generating significant economic impact for the community. The equestrian nature of the show aligns perfectly with our western heritage and is an exceptional addition to the roster of major equestrian events hosted in Calgary."

Latourelle spoke with GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine after the media event. He says, giving back to the host city is important.

"Cavalia is a big show, the biggest touring show in the world in terms of logistics. We have 100 semi trailers, which if you compare to U2 or the Rolling Stones they probably only have 50 trailers. When I first designed the show I wanted a stage big enough for the horses to have fun. So I needed a big space, but I didn’t figure out that after I designed the stage I had to find a big top. When I had to shop around to find a big top large enough for the stage, it didn’t exist. So we had to design it. We are very proud of it. We come and do business, we sell tickets and reinvest a lot in the city and bring a lot of tourism to the city. Every city we go to, people drive in from forever to see the show because it is the top show with horses in the world. So hotels and restaurants will be more full. We also give 80 local people a job daily. We invest three million into the city, and it is a big economic impact when we bring it here."

Calgary is a natural choice for Cavalia. The long history of cowboys and ranching, the Stampede, and Spruce Meadows are just part of Alberta’s connection with horses.

"I wanted to come to Calgary before but there was always an element that made us skip it, and I was very frustrated. So here we are at last coming to Calgary. I am from Montreal and every time I have come to Calgary I have known that there are a lot of people who are about horses. This is the heart of Canada’s horse land and I am happy to be bringing some of the most beautiful horses in the world to Calgary now. It is my time to show Calgary what we can do with horses."

One of the original minds behind Cirque Du Soliel, Latourelle takes great joy in watching the audience’s reaction to his creation.

"My satisfaction is at the end of the show when I see all the smiles in the crowd, and people standing up and clapping and being happy. This is a show that brings happiness to people, it is a lot about love and how we have respect and can manage with nature. From my point of view horses are a speaker of nature and this is what Cavalia brings to people. It gives a good feeling for the spectator. This show is not about doing tricks with horses, it is about sharing the stage with an animal that has a lot to say. When the people witness that, it is my reward."

has something for everyone. For those who want to see behind the scenes, VIP packages include tours of the stable, while others may be more than satisfied observing the spectacle alone.

"It is a one of a kind show. A lot of people have have seen Cirque Du Soliel, I am one of the guys who started it. As much as Cirque has reinvented the circus world, Cavalia has reinvented the equestrian world. What you are going to witness is an integration of the two worlds which gives you something you can’t see anywhere else."