Under a white big top in the heart of the prairies comes a show that combines the beauty of horses with boundless human acrobatics.

Cavalia’s Odysseo opens in Winnipeg at the intersection of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway Thursday night.

The spectacle combines 65 horses, 45 acrobats and an ever-changing landscape under the world’s largest travelling big top.

“For me, this show is about the relationship between horses and humans,” said Elise Verdoncq, a horse trainer and performer in the show.

On Wednesday, media and special guests were invited to a shortened preview of the main event. A few stunning numbers from the show were featured, including one of Verdoncq’s favourites; the Liberty act. In it, she leads a group of free-running Arabian horses through a series of figurations.

“The hardest part for us is to keep the horses interested in what they’re doing and have the horses stay horses,” said Verdoncq.

The trainer said another challenge of working with the horses during the show is maintaining the connection and intimacy she’s developed with the animals in training.

“From the beginning to being show ready, for one horse, it takes me about a year to get the basics,” said Verdoncq. “Once they’re in the show, I keep training them and adding new things and new tricks.”

Cavalia’s Equestrian Director, Dorian Escalon, trains the horses and their human partners for riding and tricks. He said the real work is controlling the emotions and body language of the acrobats; and that each rider is trained to enter the space with a clear and focused mind.

“We have to be really careful with this animal because it’s an animal who has a lot of feelings and who is feeling us more than we feel them,” said Escalon. “Each horse is really different…so we analyze each one, each rider, and see who is the best match.”

Odysseo also showcases fantastical aerial acrobatics on a variety of apparatus. Kamila Ganclirska from Poland is one of the dancers and said the real magic comes from working alongside the animals.

“The show with horses is never the same. You always have to expect something different can happen,” she said.

On Tuesday, Cavalia announced an additional 14 shows in Winnipeg. The show will now run from September 10 – October 18.

For the safety of the horses, audience members are not allowed to take photographs during the show.

For more information, visit cavalia.net.