Equitana 2005

Scene 2: MASTERY The Horsemaster (Jean-Marc Imbert) tames the wild horses and explores the special relationship between man and horse.

Scene 2: MASTERY The Horsemaster (Jean-Marc Imbert) tames the wild horses and explores the special relationship between man and horse.

Scene 2: MASTERY The Horsemaster (Jean-Marc Imbert) tames the wild horses and explores the special relationship between man and horse.

Scene 2: MASTERY The Horsemaster (Jean-Marc Imbert) tames the wild horses and explores the special relationship between man and horse.

Scene 3: CIRCUS The Ringmaster (Nigel Anderson) presents a comic scene, trying to match different breeds of horses to different types of riders (Deb Brennan seen here, Georgia Byrne, Sande Cornelius, Brett Davey, Michelle Dennis, Lexie Coomans, Brenton Matthews, David Simons, Rylee Simons).

Scene 4: THE KUR The Equestrienne (Kate Foundas) reveals the art and skill of dressage: rider, horse and music in harmony.

Scene 5: THE SPANISH MIRROR: Two perfectly matched riders (Jill Perusic and Fay Mendez) perform a Spanish Pas de Deux to the live accompaniment of Spanish Guitars (The Martinez Brothers)

Scene 5: THE SPANISH MIRROR: Two perfectly matched riders (Jill Perusic and Fay Mendez) perform a Spanish Pas de Deux to the live accompaniment of Spanish Guitars (The Martinez Brothers)

Scene 6: HOONS ON HORSEBACK Stockmen (Brett Davey, Terry and Brendan Moloney) and Reiners (David Simons and Gina Eddie ) show off in an energetic display of reining, fast spins, slide stops and whipcracking.

Scene 6: HOONS ON HORSEBACK Stockmen (Brett Davey, Terry and Brendan Moloney) and Reiners (David Simons and Gina Eddie ) show off in an energetic display of reining, fast spins, slide stops and whipcracking.

Scene 7: QUADRILLE An elegant display of precision riding by eight female riders (Deb Brennan, Sande Cornelius, Annie Kesterton, Connie Kovacs, Fay Mendez, Jill Perusic, Sandi Simons and Sharyn Sparks)

Scene 8: CAROUSEL A troop of children riding 10 Shetland Ponies turn a maypole into a living carousel (Rylee Simons, Amelia, Georgia and Holly Byrne, Lexie and Shanise Coomans, Mia Glass, Grace, Hannah and Molly Mitchell). The Quadrille riders and the Ringmaster return to bring the first act to a close.

Scene 9: BEWILDEREE In an Australian country town called Bewilderee, the locals and their heroes are gathering for the annual horserace – the Bewilderee Cup. Playing for laughs, the Master of Ceremonies (David Callan) calls on the audience to become the townsfolk and introduces everyone to the local heroes (Michelle Dennis, Nigel Anderson, Deb Brennan and Jean-Marc Imbert) who show off their riding skills. While the local mayor is making his big speech, the Larrikin (Brenton Matthews) spikes the punch and gets the horses to drink it. The horses get too drunk to race. But thanks to one of the local tourist attractions, the locals decide to race anyway; using camels! The MC whips the crowd into a frenzy as they barrack for their favourite rider and to celebrate the winner a local lass who's made it big in the pop scene (Melinda Jackson) sings up a storm.

Scene 10: NESSUN DORMA The gates of China's Forbidden City open and a lone rider, Prince Calaf (tenor Peter Brocklehurst) sings the great opera aria Nessun Dorma as aerial gymnasts hang from silk cloths and Chinese warriors ride in carrying an enormous silk dragon.

Scene11: DON QUIXOTE The legendary Don Quixote (Jose Mendez) performs an exquisite El Garrocha routine (accompanied by a live performance by the Martinez Brothers on Spanish Guitars). Stilt performers turn into windmills which the mad Quixote sees as giants.

Scene11: DON QUIXOTE The legendary Don Quixote (Jose Mendez) performs an exquisite El Garrocha routine (accompanied by a live performance by the Martinez Brothers on Spanish Guitars). Stilt performers turn into windmills which the mad Quixote sees as giants.

Scene12: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM To a romantic song (sung by Melinda Jackson), a procession of beautiful elves, fairies and magic folk, with lanterns and banners, slowly move through the forest on the most beautiful horses with extraordinarily long flowing manes.

Scene 13: THE INDIAN An American Indian (Jean-Marc Imbert) shows his mastery of riding: bareback and without bridle.

Scene 13: THE INDIAN An American Indian (Jean-Marc Imbert) shows his mastery of riding: bareback and without bridle.

Scene14: REINS OF FIRE A troupe of barbarian warriors performs a ritual of fire. The Warrior King (Brenton Matthews) rides his horse over the burning flames. Two men fight to the death.

Scene14: REINS OF FIRE A troupe of barbarian warriors performs a ritual of fire. The Warrior King (Brenton Matthews) rides his horse over the burning flames. Two men fight to the death.

Scene 15:RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries features the nine daughters of the god Wotan, who carry off the fallen heroes of Reins of Fire to immortal life in the Hall of Valhalla, palace of the gods.