TAKE FIVE: CAVALIA

Monday, Dec. 18, 2006 | 7:24 a.m.

What: "Cavalia"

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday

Where: 2,000-seat white tent at the northeast corner of the Rio property

Tickets: $75 to $195; (866) 999-8111

On the Web: www.cavalia.net

"Cavalia" is an equestrian show like no other - not only because of the beauty of performances that blend horsemanship, music and acrobatics, but also for all the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring the show to the public.

For more than three years, about 50 horses and 122 staff members have been touring North America thrilling fans.

The show, created by Normand Latourelle, who helped found Cirque du Soleil, will fold its tents after Thursday's performance at the Rio and head for Southern California. In March, the show heads to Brussels, Belgium, to begin a three-year European tour.

After that? Spokes woman Gabrielle Pauze isn't sure, possibly a tour of Asia.

The horses are treated with great care at all times . They are kept comfortable, allowed out in a paddock once or twice a day and usually have the same stable neighbors and the same handlers.

The philosophy among the trainers and riders is that of the "horse whisperer," who uses kindness and a gentle approach to persuade horses to do their bidding. The routines are based on a horse's willingness to perform, say the show's equestrian directors, who also perform in the show.

"The horses tell us what they want to do," Magali Delgado says. "The performers must really love the horses."

Frederic Pignon agrees. "We never rush a horse to do something he doesn't like to do. The performers must be more than good trick riders. They must be able to relate to the horses; there must be a connection between the horse and the performer."

And if the horses balk?

"Sometimes they don't want to do something. I play with that in the show," Pignon says. "Every night I feel them out. It must never be boring for them. It must always be very interesting. I want to keep them fresh every day, my mind fresh, too."

It will take three days to tear down the tents in the Rio parking lot and 75 tractor-trailer rigs to take the horses and equipment to its next destination, where it will take 12 days to set up. If a trip takes longer than 10 hours, a 747 is chartered for the journey. It's shared by the troupe - equine and human.

The show includes approximately 50 horses of 10 varieties. They annually consume 17,500 bales of hay, 36,500 pounds of grain and 1,750 pounds of carrots. The oldest horse is 21 years old; the youngest, 18 months.

The staff of 122 permanent and 200 temporary includes 35 performers, seven musicians and 20 employees in the stables.

The white horses are bathed before each performance. Several horses have luxurious, flowing manes and tails. The manes and tails of these horses are braided after each performance, a process that takes 15 to 45 minutes.

There are seven tents. The main tent has a seating capacity of 2,000. It requires 150 people to set up the tents. The Big Top, the largest tent, measures 26,264 square feet and is 110 feet high at the peaks. More than 2,500 tons of sand are used on the 160-foot wide stage.