I WANT SEE

GILLES FORTIER
Equestrian Artist
PRESS KIT
Together,
let
us
call
upon
the
magic
of
equestrian
art
Together, let
let us
us call
call upon
upon the
the magic
magic of
of equestrian
equestrian art
art
Together,
MAJ 22-09-2014
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Gilles and his three children: Thomas, Megan and Virginie
© Photo Credit: Sandrine Dhondt
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BIOGRAPHY
DISCOVERING A VOCATION
Trainer of show horses, director of creations, following his very own concepts, Gilles Fortier
has staged the wildest fantasies whilst working with horses.
A young rider from the age of 6 years old, already reckless, he later began as a stuntman in
different historical and cinematic re-enactments. He won the Grand Tournament of Chivalry at
La Villette in 1987; as a prize he received a beautiful Friesian horse.
Over time, the hobby became a profession in its own right, coupled with the career of a
blacksmith. As the years pass, the frenzied lifestyle of being a stuntman fades and gives way
to wisdom. Consequently, dressage and equestrian art become a priority for Gilles Fortier.
AT ONE WITH HIS HORSES
He began to school his own horses starting with Jehann, the magnificent Friesian which he
won at La Villette. He was an extraordinary horse who had everything; extreme kindness and
a mesmerizing presence on stage. Tragically, Jehann passed away at an early age in 2000 due
to intestinal complications.
Then came Aresio, an Andalusian, with which he has worked in many equestrian shows. They
have an amazing bond. He has accomplished a huge amount with this horse; from mounted work, reins attached to a belt, fire, fireworks,
smoke screens, to mounting with only a rope. He is a fantastic horse who will remain one of the best in his team. And as with all the others (
Minero, Aristo, Verseto, Rocio... ) they have the same connection with their master.
Each horse has its own history and character, each one bought or obtained after melting Gilles’ heart, more through luck than design;
difficult horses, who on the face of it, were perhaps not meant to be show horses. Working with them is a full time job, very time consuming
but so exciting ! Most of all it is the passion which drives Gilles.
This bond he has is incredibly rewarding but room for error is not allowed. He schools his own horses, only completely satisfied when his goal
is achieved i.e. perfection on the stage. These animals are true artists, able to recognize the music, work with fire, smoke screens, and other
visual effects. These emotions on stage which are produced through his creations are transmitted directly to the public. It’s like magic.
THE PACE INCREASES
His now growing stable gave him the opportunity to take part in the Night of Equestria Creations Festival, Tarbes in 1996, with an unusual
futuristic number called "Razorback ". It mixed war games between horses, quad bikes and fireworks, and it was the beginning of a series of
new creations, which would be linked and produced on the biggest French and international equestrian arenas.
The Equestria festival in Tarbes (South of France) was a triggering factor and Gilles Fortier decided to leave Sologne to settle in the Midi-Pyrenees with his family and horses. There he created, at the heart of his company Zarkam, a riding school not far from Tarbes, based around
training show horses. Never short of ideas, his first equestrian show was created in a citadel in the Louron valley, in the heart of the Pyrenees,
and from this experience came "Rencontre", his first equestrian cabaret.
THE CREATION PROCESS
"Rencontre" was a show of the ancient techniques of ecstasy, both mystical and magical powers, in a mixture of styles and religions, turning
tradition on its head where all the different facets of equestrian art are shown. This show heralded a new era in the creation process of Gilles
Fortier.
Consequently all his productions have been based on a mix of arts; from dance to theatre, through to the circus, fire, fireworks and modern
effects - providing maximum visual impact for new spectators looking for a single experience to awaken their emotions.
Music is also an important factor in the creation process. The artist entrusts Thomas, his son, with the role of music producer, as he searches
for the right music to exactly match the physical with the emotional forces.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
For Gilles Fortier, artistic director of all these creations, it is a family affair : his wife Sylvie, daughters Megan and Virginie, and son Thomas are
involved. Everyone rides and above all is passionate about horses. Each works in their own way and invests their energy, so that, at the end
of the day, it is the horse who is the hero of this company.
A SINGULAR PERSONALITY
A few words sum up the personality of Gilles Fortier : sensitivity, artistic sens , precision in his work, and his feelings as a true horseman mark
him a showman known everywhere for the diversity and originality of his creations.
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Press Contact
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EQUESTRIAN SCENES
[ MAJOR EQUESTRIAN SCENES TRAVELED ]
• EL JADIDA (Maroc) - Horse Fair - Show - in 2014
• DAX (Fr) - Bullring - Bolétero Production - Show «La Vuelta» in 2014
• MONTEUX-AVIGNON (Fr) - Eqi le Show - With Frédéric Pignon and Magali Delgado in 2014
• DAX (Fr) - Bullring - 1 Show «Gloria» in 2014
• SAINTES MARIE DE LA MER (Fr) - Bullring - 1 Show in 2014
• AVIGNON (Fr) - Horse fair «Cheval Passion» - «Les Crinières d’Or» in 2014 and 2002
• VERSAILLES (Fr) - Castle - «Le Grand Carrousel Royal» Show in 2013
• TOULOUSE (Fr) - Horse Fair - "Les Fous du Roi" Show in 2013
• ORTHEZ (Fr) - Bullring - «Les Centaures du Feu» Show in 2013
• PAU (Fr) - Opening Ceremony of Worl Cup Driving in 2013
• BAYONNE (Fr) - Bullring - Bolétero Production - «Toro Emoción» show in 2013
• DAX (Fr) - Bullring - Bolétero Production - «Despedida Nicolas Vergonzeanne» show in 2013
• MONTPELLIER (Fr) - Horse Fair Equisud - Horse cabaret in 2013 and 2003
• LONDRES (En) - Excel - Production EquiCirque - 3 shows - «Adrenaline» show in 2012
• ORTHEZ (Fr) - Bullring - Zarkam Production - Show «Les Centaures» in 2012
• DAX (Fr) - Bullring - Bolétero Production - Show «La Nuit du Toro» in 2012
• MIMBASTE (Dax) (Fr) - Equestrian theater - Zarkam Production - 13 shows «Zihto» in 2012
• VALRAS PLAGE (Fr) - in 2012
• PARIS (Fr) - Military School - Inaugural private show chains Equidia Live / Life in 2011
• BAYONNE (Fr) - Bullring - Zarkam Production - 1 show «Vulcanalia» in 2011
• POMAREZ (Fr) - Bullring - Zarkam Production - 1 show «Les Centaures de la Terre» in 2011
• POMAREZ (Fr) - Bullring - Zarkam Production - 1 show «Les Centaures du Feu» in 2010
• TARBES (Fr) - National Stud - Zarkam Production - 13 shows «Crepuscolo» in 2011
• RION DES LANDES (Fr) - Bullring - 1 show «L’Homme dans le cercle» in 2010
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Urbano 2 La Quête de l’Eau» in 2010
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Urbano» in 2009
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Stampa» in 2008
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Zancada» in 2007
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Artistas» in 2006
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Abanico» in 2005
• AUBAREDE (Tarbes) (Fr) - Horse cabaret - Zarkam Production - Show «Rencontre» in 2004
• LA ROCHE SUR YON (Fr) - National Stud - 3 shows «Cavalcade» in 2008
• ROYAN (Fr) - Equestrian Art Festival - in 2007
• FENOUILLET (Toulouse) (Fr) - Bullring - 1 show «Les Cavaliers de l’Au-Delà» in 2007
• SARLAT (Fr) - Theatre - 1 show «L’Homme dans le cercle» in 2007
• TOULOUSE (Fr) - Horse Fair Equissimo in 2006
• CAEN (Fr) - CCI*** - 3 shows «Les Chevaux d’Or» in 2006 and 2002
• LYON (Fr) - Horse Fair Equita’ - 2 shows «Donskaya» more Horse cabaret in 2012
• LYON (Fr) - Horse Fair Equita’ - 2 shows «Symphonie Equestre» in 2008
• LYON (Fr) - Horse Fair Equita’ - 5 shows - Cabaret Equestre in 2005
• CIVITANOVA MARCHE (It) - International Dance Festival - 1 show «Rencontre» in 2004
• ALBI (Fr) - Horse Fair - Show in 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003
• MONTPELLIER (Fr) - Horse Fair Equisud - Show in 2001
• CAGNES SUR MER (Fr) - Horse Festival - 2 shows «Niña» in 2003
• NÎMES (Fr) - Feria de Pentecôte - Show in 2005, 2002 et 2001
• NÎMES (Fr) - Feria de Pentecôte - Bullring - EquiCréa‘ Production - 1 Show «Métamorphose» in 1998
• GENÈVE (Ch) - CSI*** - Show exhibition in 2005 and 2002
• AVIGNON (Fr) - Horse Fair Cheval Passion - Horse Cabaret in 2001
• TARBES (Fr) - Equestria Festival - Opening show «Les Cavaliers de l’Au-Delà» in 2007
• TARBES (Fr) - Equestria Festival - Show «La Nuit des Créations» in 2004, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996
• VÉRONE (It) - Horse Fair Fieracavalli - 4 shows «Gala de Oro» in 1998
• AUXERRE (Fr) - Horse Fair - 2 shows in 1996
• BÉZIERS (Fr) - Feria - Show in 1996
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