DEL MAR — The concept of a “circus” dates back to the ancient Romans, whose word for “circle” was used to name their chariot racetracks, including the famous Circus Maximus in Rome, which held some 150,000 spectators.
In more recent times, the American concept of a circus as live entertainment performed within a standard 42-foot-diameter ring can be traced to British cavalryman and entertainer Philip Astley, who experimented with different ring sizes before finding that the 42-foot diameter provided the ideal combination of speed and centrifugal force to help riders maintain their balance while performing acrobatics on horseback.
Thus, horses have always been at the center of the circus. But while Astley introduced jugglers, acrobats and other performers into his trick-riding programs, later circus owners brought in big cats, elephants and trapeze artists.
Harkening back to Astley’s early exhibitions of skilled riding within a ring are equestrian circuses, which blend the power of the horse with the rider’s acrobatic skills.
Cirque Ma’Ceo is one of the better-known such acts, and it will perform at the Del Mar Horsepark from Oct. 30 through Nov. 22 for its first local appearance.
The vision of veteran horseman Olissio Zoppe, Cirque Ma’Ceo blends a variety of European equestrian traditions into its show. Zoppe’s family is of Italian origin, but the production also incorporates Eastern European Cossack riding styles, bareback riding and liberty riding, in which horses perform without halters or other equipment.
Jacob Winge, a representative for Cirque Ma’Ceo, said Zoppe was already a veteran equestrian circus performer when he created the current show nearly a decade ago.
“He did tours with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and other shows that have been around. He’s done the Alaska and Hawaiian state fairs.
“Cirque Ma’Ceo is the largest of its kind in North America.”
“We really try to stay away from a pure circus. You think of clowns, equestrian arts were the earliest forms of circuses – the first acts of performers they put together were all equestrian.”
The current show features about a dozen performers, Winge said. Famed liberty rider Sylvia Zarabini has also joined the tour for select dates, although it is not yet known which Del Mar performances, if any, she will appear in.
The show features Friesian, Andalusian, Belgian draft and mustang horses, along with a miniature horse.
Like many North American touring circus productions, Cirque Ma’Ceo is based in Sarasota, Florida, Winge said, and tours from late January through November.
For tickets and more information, visit cirquemaceo.com.
