ALTHEA is Coming! It is dusk in a faraway mythological land... A solitary figure, crippled and tired, sings a song of despair while hoping that the gods will bless him with their favor. Suddenly, a beautiful goddess on an elegant white horse – Althea – appears. The man is hypnotized by the pair’s magical movement, only to watch them disappear without warning. He is tempted to follow but cannot catch up. In the distance, he hears the hoo�eats of more horses. Is this a sign that fate will make him whole again?
This isn’t just a dream. It is the opening scene of ALTHEA, an equestrian ballet production created exclusively for the Equestrian Aid Foundation by former CAVALIA performance artists Kansas Carradine. The show will star World Renowned Liberty Trainer Sylvia Zerbini and also feature S. Caleb Carinci Asch, Renny Spencer, Maxim Panteleenko, Spencer Rose & Ambra Zerbini Bauer . Brought to life by a cast of Greek gods and goddesses including Demeter, Apollo, Nemesis, Persephone and others, this magical tale of horses, hope and healing will be performed on Feb. 12, 2017, at the Equestrian Aid Foundation’s winter gala in Wellington, FL. ALTHEA has been curated by Carradine, who began her career as a trick rider and roper for the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. For over two decades, the equestrian star and accomplished stunt rider toured the world, entertaining audiences from NFL halftime shows to Windsor Castle’s Diamond Jubilee for the Queen of England. Carradine has spent the past several years buying and training horses for the CAVALIA show. She and Althea’s other mounted cast members – many also CAVALIA performers and alumni – are thrilled to share their artistry and beautiful horses to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation. “It is a wonderful organization, and it feels good to support such a wonderful cause,” says Carradine. “Thank you, Equestrian Aid!”
The Equestrian Aid Foundation is a nonprofit organization that assists people from all corners of the horse world who are coping with catastrophic injury or illness and consequent financial crisis. Since its inception twenty years ago, the Foundation has granted some $2.7 million in direct financial aid to equestrians facing adversity in 30 states across America. This financial support provides a promise of hope to riders, trainers, farriers, grooms, horse farm owners and other equestrians who need a helping hand with basic living and rehabilitative expenses while they get back on their feet. “ALTHEA is a story of bonding together to lift each other up. It expresses the essence of our Foundation’s mission,” reports Stephanie Bulger, Equestrian Aid Foundation Board President. “This delightful performance, which also includes whimsical entertainers interacting with and engaging our audience in their seats, will be held only once ever. It is a spectacular, not-to-be-missed night where people and horses unite to express the magical power of healing!” For event details and ticketing, please visit EquestrianAidFoundation.org.
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Story & photos courtesy of Equestrian Aid Foundation.
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