FIRST SIGNS OF A CALLING
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.
HORSES AS ARTISTS
He really starts to break in his own horses with Jehann. An extraordinary horse, endowed with high intelligence, very loving and a great stage presence. Sadly Jehann left us too early in 2000.
Then came Aresio, a thoroughbred Andalusian, with which he has created a number of equestrian shows. There was a complicity between them which was hard to describe.
A total achievement of top-class equestrianism; from working with the reins attached to a belt, to performing without a saddle or bridle and only using facial gestures. And all the special effects (fire, fireworks, smoke ...) were mere child's play. A fantastic horse, a player, an icon. Currently retired as an anointed king.
Gradually, Rocio, Minero, Aristo, Verseto joined the team. Each working with their master in the same way. Each horse with its own story. Melting Gilles’ heart, and taking chances with the challenge of making them fully-fledged artists. Horses are a long term undertaking, full-on and very time-consuming. Passion and love are the keys to success.
A harmony where the margin for error is not allowed and where satisfaction only stems from perfect performances. True artists, they are able to recognize music, to work with fire, smoke, moving lights and other visual effects. A unique relationship which originates from intense emotions on stage and is transmitted to the audience. This is the part of this unexplained magic.
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, CREATION UPON CREATION
The story begins with the creation of his company; Zarkam, and presentation at the Night of Creations at Equestria in Tarbes in 1996, of "Razorback" a futuristic completely original piece, combining warriors, quad bikes and fireworks redolent of the cinema. Zarkam came back in 1998 and 1999 and fell in love with the area.
In 2000, Gilles decided to leave the Sologne area and moved to Tarbes with his family and horses. That same year, his first equestrian show was born in the citadel of the Louron valley which proved a rich and valuable experience despite the low audience turnout. The creations keep coming: The Dextre, Boga, Shaman which enchant the public.
In 2003, in addition to the entertainment business, he opened his riding school at Domaine d'Aubarède, 15 km from Tarbes. Never short of ideas, "Rencontre (Encounter)" was created in 2004. It was the first show of the Cabaret Equestre. There followed seven developing seasons and seven different shows, becoming in some ways a testing-ground for future creations.
2011 was marked by "Vulcanalia," a two-hour show bringing together 25 artists in the heart of the arenas of Bayonne. An exciting challenge where Zarkam is established in South West France as a regular of the horse show circuit and triumphs in several renowned arenas of the region.
The show called ‘MA ', created in 2009, would travel to London, to the ‘Crinières d’Or’ in Avignon for the second time, then to Morocco and also in Hanover in Germany.
Accompanied and supported by his son Thomas in recent years, 2015 saw the arrival of "Storm" added to the repertoire. An ode pure and sensory.
That same year he left Tarbes to live permanently in the Landes at the gates of the Basque Country.
STYLE AND CREATION PROCESS
Gilles knew immediately how to stamp his mark. Shows of ancient techniques, mystical, animated by magic, in a mixture of distinct styles, from dance to theatre through to circus, fire, pyrotechnics and modern special effects.
He turns traditions upside-down, where the different facets of horsemanship are represented through a range of stunning visual images for the viewer, whether novice or connoisseur. The artist is, above all, looking for a single achievement: to awaken emotions.
A process of a precise and concrete creation, starting from a vague idea to distilling the very best. Like polishing a precious stone to reveal its beautiful secrets.
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 sense, 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.
CELEBRATION
In 2016, Gilles celebrated his 20 years of career and what could be more beautiful as a gift to play his famous "Razorback" on the stage of the "Crinieres d'Or" in Avignon in January, it's this act that made it known 20 years ago...
ESSEN - (AL) - 2017 - Hop Top Show - Equitana - STORM
HANOVRE - (AL) - 2016 - Pferd & Jagd - «Nacht Der Pferde» - STORM and DOUBLES GARROCHES
REIMS - 2017 - Reims en selle - "Légendes"
HANOVRE - (AL) - 2014 - Pferd & Jagd - «Nacht Der Pferde» "MA'" and LINKA
REIMS - 2016 - Reims en selle - "Gloría"
PRADES - 2015 - "MÂ" and DOUBLES GARROCHES
EL JADIDA - (MA) - 2014 - Spectacle de gala - "MA'"
AVIGNON - 2014 - Cheval Passion - «Les Crinières d’Or» "MA'"
AVIGNON - 2002 - Cheval Passion - «Les Crinières d’Or» "Chaman"
AVIGNON - 2001 - Salon Cheval Passion - Cabaret équestre
TOULOUSE - 2013 - Cheval Roi - Gala "Les Fous du Roi"
TOULOUSE - 2006 - Equissimo - Spectacle de gala
LYON - 2012 - Equita’ - Spectacle «Donskaya» + Cabaret Equestre
LYON - 2008 - Equita’ - Spectacle «Symphonie Equestre»
LYON - 2005 - Equita’ - Cabaret Equestre
ALBI - 2011 - Spectacle de gala
ALBI - 2009 - Spectacle de gala avec Jeane Manson
ALBI - 2007 - Spectacle de gala
ALBI - 2006 - Spectacle de gala
ALBI - 2004 - Spectacle de gala
ALBI - 2003 - Spectacle de gala
MONTPELLIER - 2013 - Cabaret Equestre
MONTPELLIER - 2003 - Cabaret Equestre
MONTPELLIER - 2001 - Spectacle de Gala
VÉRONE (it) - 1998 - Fieracavalli - 4 shows - Spectacle «Gala de Oro»
AUXERRE - 1996 - Spectacle de gala
BIRMINGHAM (EN) - 2016 - Horse of the Year Show - "Vulcanium, Dreams of fire" - Genting Arena - 7 représentations
SAINTES-MARIES DE LA MER - 2016 - Spectacle "Songe d'une Nuit en Camargue" Les Marais - 1 représentation
DAX - 2014 - Spectacle «La Vuelta»
Arènes - Production Bolétero - 1 représentation - 5 000 spectateurs
PAU - 2013 - Cérémonie d'ouverture des Mondiaux d'attelage
Domaine de Sers
BAYONNE - 2013 - Spectacle «Toro Emoción»
Arènes - Production Bolétero - 1 représentation - 7 000 spectateurs
DAX - 2013 - Spectacle «Despedida Nicolas Vergonzeanne»
Arènes - Production Bolétero - 1 représentation - 8 000 spectateurs
CHÂLONS EN CHAMPAGNE - 2012 - Spectacle de Noël
Sur invitation de Bruno Boisliveau
DAX - 2012 - Spectacle «La Nuit du Toro»
Arènes - Production Bolétero - 1 représentation - 8 000 spectateurs
PARIS - 2011 - Inauguration des chaînes Equidia Live/Life
Ecole Militaire - 1 représentation
• ROYAN - 2007 - Festival d’Art Equestre
Plage - 1 représentation
• GAVARNIE - 2006 - Festival de Théâtre - "Les 3 Mousquetaires"
Cirque de Gavarnie - 12 représentations
• CIVITANOVA MARCHE (it) - 2004 - Festival International de danse - 1 représentation - Spectacle «Rencontre»
• TARBES - 2007 - Festival Equestria - Spectacle d’ouverture «Les Cavaliers de l’Au-Delà» - Haras National - 1 représentation
• TARBES - 2004 - Festival Equestria - «La Nuit des Créations»
Haras National - 4 représentations
• TARBES - 2002 - Festival Equestria - «La Nuit des Créations»
Haras National - 4 représentations
• TARBES - 2001 - Festival Equestria - «La Nuit des Créations»
Haras National - 4 représentations
• TARBES - 1999 - Festival Equestria - «La Nuit des Créations»
Jardin Massey - 4 représentations
• TARBES - 1998 - Festival Equestria - «La Nuit des Créations»
Jardin Massey - 4 représentations
• TARBES - 1996 - Festival Equestria - «La Nuit des Créations»
Jardin Massey - 4 représentations
GENÈVE - 2005 - Spectacle exhibition - CSI***
GENÈVE - 2002 - Spectacle exhibition - CSI***
BOURG-EN-BRESSE - 2001 - Spectacle exhibition - CSI****
CAGNES SUR MER - 2014 - Spectacle exhibition - Grand Criterium Nice-Matin
CAGNES SUR MER - 2003 - Spectacle «Niña»
Festival du cheval - 2 représentations
CRAON - 2003 - Spectacle exhibition
LAVAL - 2002 - Spectacle «Les Pégaziades»
HENNEBONT (56) - 2016 - Spectacle «Strada» - 10 représentations
MIMBASTE (Dax) - 2012 - Théâtre Equestre - Spectacle «Zihto»
Auto-production Zarkam - 14 représentations
TARBES - 2011 - Haras National - Spectacle «Crepuscolo»
Auto-production Zarkam - 12 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2010 - Cabaret Équestre
Spectacle «Urbano 2 La Quête de l’Eau»
Auto-production Zarkam - 16 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2009 - Cabaret Équestre - Spectacle «Urbano»
Auto-production Zarkam - 16 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2008 - Cabaret Équestre - Spectacle «Stampa»
Auto-production Zarkam - 16 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2007 - Cabaret Équestre - Spectacle «Zancada»
Auto-production Zarkam - 14 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2006 - Cabaret Équestre - Spectacle «Artistas»
Auto-production Zarkam - 19 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2005 - Cabaret Équestre - Spectacle «Abanico»
Auto-production Zarkam - 19 représentations
AUBAREDE (Tarbes) - 2004 - Cabaret Équestre - Spectacle «Rencontre»
Auto-production Zarkam - 19 représentations
GENOS (Hautes-Pyrénées) - 2000 - Théâtre Équestre
Spectacle «Börte Tchino»
Auto-production Zarkam - 18 représentations
MONTEUX - 2014/2015 - Spectacle «EQI» de Frédéric Pignon & Magali Delgado - Lac de Monteux - 24 représentations
VERSAILLES - 2013 - Spectacle «Le Grand Carrousel Royal»
Château de Versailles - 3 représentations
LONDRES - 2012 - Spectacle «Adrenaline»
Excel - Production EquiCirque - 3 représentations - 6 000 spectateurs
VALRAS PLAGE - 2012 - Spectacle estival
sur invitation de Vincent Libérator - 1 représentation - 15 000 spectateurs
LA ROCHE SUR YON - 2008 - Spectacle «Cavalcade»
Haras National - 3 représentations - 3 500 spectateurs
CAEN - 2006 - Spectacle «Les Chevaux d’Or»
CCI*** - 3 représentations
CAEN - 2002 - Spectacle «Les Chevaux d’Or»
CSI*** - 3 représentations
CAZAUBON (32) - 2016 - Spectacle «Gloría»
Arènes
VIEUX-BOUCAU, TYROSSE, MIMIZAN, ARZACQ - 2014/2015 - Spectacle «Art'Emoción» - Arènes - produit par le Club Boletero
DAX - 2014 - Spectacle «Gloria»
Arènes - Ouverture de la feria - 1 représentation - 6 000 spectateurs
ORTHEZ - 2013 - Spectacle «Les Centaures du Feu»
Arènes - Ouverture des Fêtes - 1 représentation - 1 200 spectateurs
ORTHEZ - 2012 - Spectacle «Les Centaures»
Arènes - Auto-production Zarkam - 1 représentation
BAYONNE - 2011 - Spectacle «Vulcanalia»
Arènes - Auto-production Zarkam - 1 représentation - 4 500 spectateurs
POMAREZ - 2011 - Spectacle «Les Centaures de la Terre»
Arènes - Auto-production Zarkam - 1 représentation - 2 000 spectateurs
POMAREZ - 2010 - Spectacle «Les Centaures du Feu»
Arènes - Auto-production Zarkam - 1 représentation - 2 200 spectateurs
RION DES LANDES - 2010 - Spectacle «L’Homme dans le cercle»
Arènes - 1 représentation
FENOUILLET (Toulouse) - 2007 - Spectacle «Les Cavaliers de l’Au-Delà» - Arènes - 1 représentation - 5 500 spectateurs
NÎMES - 1998 - Spectacle «Métamorphose»
Arènes - EquiCréa‘ - Feria de Pentecôte
SAINTES-MARIES DE LA MER - 2016 - Spectacle "Célébrations"
Arènes - 1 représentation - STORM
SAINTES-MARIES DE LA MER - 2014 - Spectacle "Chevalskaïa"
Arènes - 1 représentation - MÂ
NÎMES - 2005 - Feria de Pentecôte - Spectacle nocturne
Jardins de la Fontaine - 4 représentations
NÎMES - 2002 - Feria de Pentecôte - Spectacle nocturne
Jardins de la Fontaine - 4 représentations
NÎMES - 2001 - Feria de Pentecôte - Spectacle nocturne
Jardins de la Fontaine - 4 représentations
BÉZIERS - 1996 - Spectacle nocturne
Champs de Mars - 5 représentations
SARLAT - 2007 - Spectacle «L’Homme dans le cercle»
1 représentation
...
Together, let us call upon the magic of equestrian art
