For communities with deep equestrian roots, the relationship between horse and rider is more than sport or tradition—it is partnership, heritage, and artistry. That timeless connection takes center stage as Cirque Ma’Ceo, North America’s premier touring equestrian circus, prepares to bring its visually stunning Big Top production to audiences across the Southeast during its upcoming tour dates.
Created by ninth-generation equestrian acrobat Olissio Zoppe, Cirque Ma’Ceo presents The Year of the Horse. Zoppe represents the ninth generation of equestrian performers in a family tradition that dates back nearly two centuries. The family story began in 1842 when a French street performer named Napoleone Zoppé fell in love with a Hungarian equestrian ballerina named Ermengilda. According to circus lore, the couple fled to Venice against her father’s wishes and formed a traveling circus of their own. From that Moment forward, horses, acrobatics, and theatrical spectacle became the heart of the family’s identity. Through wars, economic upheaval, and dramatic shifts in entertainment, the Zoppé family Continued performing across Europe and eventually the United States. Horses remained central to their performances, showcasing disciplines such as bareback riding, Roman riding, liberty work, and classical dressage long before “equestrian theater” became popular in modern shows.
Zoppe grew up immersed in that tradition. By the time most children were learning to ride bicycles, he was already riding horses in the circus ring. He began performing at just four years old; the tradition continues with the addition of Ottavia Zoppe, Olissio’s daughter and 10th Generation rider and performer.
The international cast features elite equestrian performers who combine disciplines rarely seen together. Audiences will experience the thrill of trick riding, the grace of bareback performance, aerial acrobatics, and choreographed equestrian and timeless artistry, giving audiences something increasingly rare in today’s digital entertainment landscape: a shared, immersive, and live experience that appeals across generations.
Show Locations & Dates (Weekends)
Norco, California – September 11 – October 4
Ceder City, Utah – October 9-18
Del Mar, California – October 30 – November 22
Photo Credit – Will Bucquoy