The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 opening ceremony took place in the D’Ornano Stadium in Normandy on Saturday 23rd August. The spectacular display of art, technology and innovation was a top secret and no one knew what to expect.

The ceremony began with a parade of athletes from the 74 participating nations, and the show featured over 100 horses. 

The very popular President of the FEI, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan spoke in French, when she of proudly reflected the history of the World Equestrian Games and the commitment of all athletes to respect the horse and compete with fairness and transparency.  This is the 9th World Games that the Princess has attended. She has been the head of the FEI for 12 years.

Tradition, history, art and technology melded together to make a glittering opening ceremony and 30 well matched chestnut horses carried the trumpeters of the Garde Républicaine, accompanied by two grey drum horses to make an imposing spectacle.  The crowd joined in with giant Mexican waves, which assured the performers of their enthusiasm and appreciation.

The 3D graphics and light show that changed the settings, mood and scenery for each act was unbelievable (literally) and delivered a broad history of man’s relationship with the horse.  The show included famous French battles, light and free-spirited artistic displays and the product of dedicated and systematic training, which all highlighted the important role that the horse has in the development of modern civilisation and now as a partner in sport.

The scenes included a nomadic tent village, the beach with sand and water, an arial view of the world, a war zone, artworks and tapestries and the inner workings of a clock with the Roman numerals on the circumference of the circle.  The well-respected technical duo behind this amazing masterpiece are officially called Scherzo, but more popularly known in France as “the dream-makers”.

The opening act “Sagittarius” was a simple but evocative representation of the spirit of the World Equestrian Games.  Against the night sky, a small girl leads a huge French Percheron across the world taking in the countries represented at these Games.  There was a peace and tranquillity depicted, as a camera close up of the huge hooves and small feet united the nations taking part in 2014.

“Arabesque” featured 60 dancers performed their routine on the “world” in a light show of theatrical impact and great relevance to diverse audience of 21,000.  The music symbolised the broad representation of continents of the world, with the modern dance from all cultures.  The colours and imagery were spectacular and the set changed …

Athletic dancers/rhythmic gymnasts entered with streaming fabric, which was transformed into nomad’s tents in colours of the world.  The “nomads” entertained with a breathtaking display of Horse-Ball, which will be featured as a demonstration sport, with a view to inclusion at a future World Equestrian Games.

Scherzo worked their magic to depict the Przewalski's horse - the early forebear of the modern horses taking part for the next two weeks.

With almost unimaginable reality, we saw Viking ships enter the arena.  The splashing water and the eerie darkness set a mood for reflecting the turbulent history of the Norman region. 

On a more light-hearted note, the light show and 3D graphics took us under the apple tree.

Then to a “Norman” style rodeo with quarter horses showing their speed and agility rounding up mock cattle.  We saw an awesome display of reining with 4 spins to the right, 4 to the left, followed by an immediate rein back – a demonstration of athleticism, systematic training and obedience showcasing the skills of the defending reining champions from the USA.

Then onto to something very different as easels were brought into the arena.  They displayed impressionist art on cow skins.  Dancers introduced the wide variety of subjects and styles and the amazing technical wizardry of Scherzo, delivered lighting and 3D graphic support for this interesting act.

The set transformed into a “Catherine wheel” of swirling bright colour representing the colours from each competing nation – the movement filled the entire arena and it was hard not to be swept up by the happiness and optimism of this visual feast.

The next act was a predictable and much anticipated inclusion – a demonstration of mounted horsemanship and in-hand work from the acclaimed Le Cadre Noir, Saumur.  While the French National Riding School was only established in 1972, the traditions and heritage it represents goes back almost 300 years.  The harmonious execution of quadrille riding of the Cadre Noir is world famous, and this demonstration did not disappoint.  The “airs above the ground” have been dropped from modern equestrian pursuits, but the WEG audience were taken back to a place in time, when life depended on the horse’s ability to jump clear of an aggressor’s assault.

Act 15 was titled “Vertigo” and we saw a circle on the ground emerge in lights and then into the arena, a vaulting horse and handler. A vaulter joined them wearing a very interesting green and “nude” costume, which captured an ethereal quality that made the demonstration mesmerising.  The vaulter had flame red hair - this was a magical performance.

The next act was much more sombre and took us back to the turbulent history of the Norman at war.  The scene depicted the time of William the Conqueror and the “Battle of Hastings”.  The Normans of France battled the Anglo Saxons of England in 1066 and this encounter lives on in the history books of almost all students.

The light show then took us to a tapestry depicting Norman Conquest.  The amazing imagery was augmented by medieval music and the setting transported the audience to a different place and time.

The tapestry scene moved to a carousel of horses in various activities and movements and then went on to pay homage to the French Trotter - a breed developed primarily from Norman stock with the highest prize-winner earning $2,913,000.00.

Act 23 was a symbolic show of giant horse hooves forming the pattern of the gaits and the sound brought the vision to life. It was surreal to see the size of the feet and the co-ordination of the sounds that horse lovers are familiar with.

Next  - a checkerboard of black and white appeared, then two white horses and two black with dancers in the same costumes – a magical sight.

A favourite for many was the wheel.  This show represented the wheels and cogs in a mechanical clock.  The cogs moved to interact and drive the mechanism.  The face of the clock was a huge circle on the arena complete with Roman numerals.  The clock was symbolic of the time the athletes, officials and spectators will spend together at an event where the celebration of the horse is celebrated.

The clock was replaced by sweeping sands and water, which flowed in to introduce a living legend from France – Lorenzo and his 12 pure white Camargue horses (below) working in perfect unison, harmony and confidence with only voice commands to choreograph the intricate pattern of movements.  Lorenzo rides standing astride two horses and directs his equestrian ballet with almost imperceptible commands. 

The artistic display and skill of this amazing horse trainer was absolutely awesome and will surely be a highlight of this wonderful opening ceremony, for many.

The closing scene was the crowning glory for Scherzo – the dream-makers - as surely the huge depiction of Pegasus, the flying horse, was timely and relevant.  The act started with the opening wings of Pegasus.  The iconic flying horse rose to command the gaze of 21,000 people and millions from all over the world who caught the action on FEI TV (a fantastic service).  Pegasus reared up to the “rafters” in anticipation of the glorious two weeks ahead. 

The image of Pegasus (above - more images as per details below) will live on beyond the duration of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014.   The giant Pegasus set the scene for the next two weeks of superb horses, fantastic horsemanship and fair, transparent competition that will rise to meet all expectations and honour the spirit of the horse.

For more information, timetables, results and news – go to:
http://www.normandy2014.com

Story Saddleworld Media
Picture of Lorenzo and with thanks to the FEI
Picture of Pegasus from Official WEG web site more available on link above..