"Cavalia:" Grand Horse Show Features Local Performer

ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA) -- James Buchanan, 24, of Alexandria, Va., wanted to be a part of Cavalia ever since he saw a performance in Seattle, Washington.

"I saw and loved the show and kinda wanted to get a job riding," Buchanan says.

Cavalia is a live show featuring high-intensity stunt riding, aerial performers, and 60 horses. The majestic show includes 13 breeds of horses including Arabian, Lusitano and the Appaloosa.

The show launches Sept. 11, 2009, at the White Big Top at South Fern Street and Army Navy Drive. Part of the weekend's ticket sales will go to the Pentagon Memorial Fund. Cavalia will be in the Washington area for three weeks.

Buchanan grew up riding horses on his grandparent's farm. Starting in high school, he got a gig at the local dinner theater that featured horses.

He was determined to perform in Cavalia.

"At the time, they weren't hiring for any riding positions, but they had a show position working backstage. So I took that as a way into the company," Buchanan says.

After two years of persistence, he worked his way up the ladder from backstage to center stage as a rider: dressage, roman riding and trick riding.

The founding member of Cavalia also helped launch the original Cirque du Soleil. Normand Latourelle says he got the idea for Cavalia after observing how one horse "stole the focus" at a performance he had attended.

Latourelle says Cavalia is a show where the horses take the reins.

"It's all about following their temper, following their rhythm. It's all about them. It's not about us. We don't force them to do something; we slowly train them," he says.

Horse trainer and performer Sylvia Zerbini has built a trusting relationship with her Arabian horses over time. This is why she is able to command the attention of the horses without coercion.

"I'm their comfort zone. They come to me for security," she says.

The adrenaline rush before a show motivates Buchanan as a performer.

"It's a little frightening at first, but with training for trick riding, there's only a certain number of things you can do standing still before you just have to get the guts to do it full speed [laughs] jumping off a running horse," he says.

Tickets can be purchased on the website, here. The public can also call 1-866-999-8111.