GILLES FORTIER Equestrian Artist PRESS KIT [ ]

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1 GILLES FORTIER Equestrian Artist PRESS KIT Together, let us call upon the magic of equestrian art MAJ

2 Gilles and his three children: Thomas, Megan and Virginie Photo Credit: Sandrine Dhondt

3 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.

4 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

5 WEB gilles-fortier.com The magic of equestrian art is unlocked for you

6 CONTACTS PRESS CONTACT Pictures, interviews, videos... Zarkam Créations Equestres Mail : Web : BOOKING CONTACT Zarkam Créations Equestres Mail : CONTACT THE ARTIST