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~Performing Artists~
{Erik} {Alethea} {Greta} {Angela} {Pierre-Luc} {Monnya}
Erik
Martonovich, 29 years old and the son of professional dressage trainers,
is from Golden, CO. Although exposed to horses all of his life, Erik saw
his first valuting demonstration at the age of six. Shortly after, he
began vaulting with a local team. As he grew in skill and in his love
for the sport, Erik realized he liked to do things to take his performances
to the edge. They stood out in a crowd.
In 1994, he and his parents used their resources to start a new vaulting team, the “Golden Gate Vaulters”. Erik was named head coach. He had the opportunity to practice freely and to create new and innovative acts without restriction.
As Erik developed skills as a vaulter and Roman rider, he also became skilled in dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country. Training in dance (Russian, hip-hop, break dancing, Native American, folk, and more) and gymnastics greatly improved his vaulting and performance skills. If you couldn't find Erik in the vaulting arena, you could almost always find him at the gym, cross training to build strength.
Competition vaulting did not satisfy Erik. He built routines more for the public than for the judges. Having an audience was what Erik loved most and what drew him into private equine entertainment. Competition vaulting gave him a great background for becoming an amazing equestrian acrobat. He created Big Horse Productions just three years after starting the Colorado team.
Since then, he has impressed audiences worldwide with his talents. Erik was born to be on horses, and he stands out above the rest. Taking people by surprise with skill and creative expression brings him to life. “People need to experience new things. Otherwise life is just boring. That's why I like to shake things up and throw in a little shock factor!” And so Erik continues to stir excitement with Big Horse Productions , taking the performances on the road to share with the world.
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Alethea
Shelton, 28, began modern dance and ballet at the age of three. It was
quickly determined that she was talented in rhythm and movement and had
a passion for costumes and choreography! At age ten, Alethea received
her first horse. She discovered that she was both enthralled and intimidated
by the animal. When invited to a local vaulting practice by a family friend,
Alethea's first wondrous moves on a Belgian ignited a desire to do more,
in spite of the fear! In the sport of vaulting, Alethea found a perfect
place to combine her love of animals with her passion for choreography
and dance!
Competing from Virginia to California, Alethea won several regional and five national titles. Always happiest when performing, she continued to grow and excelled in other horse disciplines as well as performing arts, including: dressage, hunt seat, western pleasure and trick riding; gymnastics, dance, voice, and theater arts.
In 1999, Alethea left Virginia and vaulting for a year to obtain licensure as a massage therapist. After ten months she knew that she never wanted be away from horses or vaulting again and desired to make them a career. She moved to Colorado to perform and train with her vaulting mentor, Erik Martonovich. Knowing that Alethea had a flair for coaching younger children, he asked her to coach the Golden Gate Vaulting Team. Two years in a row the team took first place nationally. Alethea shares what she loves with others while encouraging them to believe that they, too, can accomplish their goals while facing fear or challenge. These days, Alethea is a well-known equestrian acrobat, nationwide. Her passion for what she does runs deep and she still believes it is the most beautiful, expressive performance art in the world. "I believe there are no limits to our creativity when it comes to our shows. I love to be free with my ideas and run with them. My horses are everything to me and I think there is nothing that shows the harmony between human and horse better than what we do! When I step into an arena or onto the stage, everything disappears but me, my teammates and my horse-it's the most amazing feeling ever!"
Greta
Shryock, 25, has been riding horses since she was born. Growing up in
the mountains of New Mexico, Greta was always very active in sports, climbing
and jumping on and off everything she could. She started gymnastics and
dance at the age of 4 and participated in every other sport possible.
Although she was involved in numerous activities, her passion for horses
and acrobatics stood out above the rest.
At the age of 9, Greta watched a vaulting demonstration at a local horse fair. After witnessing what seemed to be the greatest combination of sports ever created, she began training and competing with a team in Albuquerque. Her athletic ability and natural movement with the horse helped her quickly excel in the sport. That introduction ignited a love that lead to 14 years of nationwide competition, 4 national titles, and a career that would last a lifetime. During this time of training and competing, Greta also worked closely on and off with Erik Marotnovich and his family of gifted horse trainers.
In 1996, Greta was selected to participate with a national team chosen to demonstrate at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. At that point, she realized her flair for performing and the joy of working in front of a crowd. Since then, Greta has been performing for the past 10 years at numerous venues across the USA. During that time, Greta and fellow teammate, Alethea met and began a great friendship. Their talent and love for what they do has carried them through many shows together and will continue for many more.
Throughout her 15 years of vaulting, she has taught, trained, and worked with teams all over the United States. She has been teaching for over 8 years while continuing to compete and perform. Greta is excited to be a part of the Big Horse Productions team with her long time friends and fellow trainers. She is excited to use her wide range of physical talent, fearlessness, and creativity in their acts to bring each show to another level!
Angela Turner is a twenty two year old equestrian from Lakewood, CO. Angela began riding horses when she was seven years old and fell in love with it right away. After moving from Arizona to Colorado, she began training in dressage with mentors Yossi and Noel Martonovich. Angela became very skilled in riding horses and soon decided to expand her riding skills into vaulting with the Golden Gate Vaulting team (coached by Erik Martonovich). From there, she went on to succeed in the sport, winning numerous regional and national titles. She also got involved with ballet dancing on the side, which furthered her vaulting ability. Angela was built for the stage from the start, as she is strikingly tall (5'11") and full of flexibility and grace. And if that isn't enough, Angela can make you do a double-take when she goes by with her identical twin sister, Veronica! Together, the two have trained across the country in dressage, vaulting, trick riding, roman riding, dance, theater, and even stage combat, (specializing in Rapier and Dagger). When the sister duo perform together, everyone watches, as their presence commands the attention an audience!
When Angela is not on the road doing shows with Big Horse Productions, she is cross training constantly and continues to compete in the sport of vaulting. She is a fabulous coach and horse trainer. These days, she is training in Las Vegas, working on new skills to further her vaulting career. Her goal is to make it to the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY. She is well on her way there as she is working on her acrobatic, strengthening, and aerial skills in conjuncture with her equestrian talent. Angela is also working with training the newest group of BHP's horses and is excited to explore new and innovative ways to bring her talent to the public eye.
Pierre-Luc
Sylvain, a twenty-four year old gymnast from Quebec City, Quebec, began
gymnastics training at the early age of 6. Seen as having special talent
by most of his coaches, gymnastics became the main focus of his life.
As an adolescent Pierre-Luc attended a special school where daily gymnastics
training was part of his schedule. He sharpened his skills throughout
his schooling, bringing home many titles and awards.By 17 years of age,
Pierre-Luc knew that he wanted to focus on gymnastics as a life career.
Setting a goal to become a professional acrobat, he applied and was accepted,
on first try, into the world-renowned and highly competitive National
Circus School of Montreal (Ecole National de Cirque de Montreal). Pierre-Luc
spent three years there polishing skills in juggling, trampoline, banquine,
Russian bar, hand to hand, handstand, and tumbling. It was his talent
in gymnastics rings, ho wever, that gave him a head start in the art that
would become his specialty and major: aerial straps.
Pierre-Luc is one of those kinesthetically gifted individuals who, once introduced to something new, picks it up instantly. Because of his diverse skills, he has been featured in many professional shows. It was through his experience in such a show,“Cavalia,” that he met Alethea and Erik and was introduced to the incredible world of horses.
Recognizing his ability, they invited him to practice vaulting with them. Pierre-Luc picked up vaulting skills easily, experimenting with new ideas to bring into the vaulting ring. He discovered awesome ways to connect the two sports as he soared above the vaulters in his straps or jumped over them from a trampoline. Pierre-Luc excelled on horseback as well. In just a few months, after learning how to stand on the horse, he was able to land a standing back flip flawlessly! After that, he was flipping in every direction: front, back, and sideways! The Big Horse Team continues to build new acts showcasing and merging individual talents while centering on the most important aspect of the performance: the beautiful horses.
As for now, we congratulate Pierre-Luc on his recent acceptance into one of the largest scale Cirque Du Soleil shows ever made. He is unable to perform with Big Horse Productions at this time, as he is now performing in "Ka", the stage spectacular in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas! Pierre-Luc still plays a big role in the Big Horse family, training and bringing his experience and knowledge to the other performers constantly. His innovative ideas and creativity play a major roles in all acts. Pierre-Luc and Alethea are also recently married and look forward to a lifetime of merging their talents and love for what they do into some truly unforgettable performances!
Monnya Silver is a Dancer, Gymnast, Aerialist, Performer and Coach from Evergreen Colorado. She started doing gymnastics at age 4 from then on it was clear that acrobatics was going to be a big part of her life. Monnya attended Denver School of the Arts majoring in dance, she received 6 years of ballet, modern, and jazz technique. She started learning Aerial fabric at age 15 in Boulder Colorado, and went on to perform in her coach’s company, Aircat Aerial Arts.
Monnya spent6 months in Vietnam Thailand and India, ware she continued her studies in Poi fire dance and Bharatanatyam (south Indian temple dancing). Monnya performs and coaches In Puna Hawaii with the Hiccup Circus, a youth and adult circus devoted to community performance art with a political and social action twist. Monnya tours the county with her sister Alexandra in Oracle’s Slavic sisterhood to the musical magic of Devotchka. She also performs locally in Colorado with Ukulele Loki’s Folderol Follies and the Snowflake Circus.
Monnya coaches for Evergreen Lightning Boltz Gymnastics, teaching pre-school through team level gymnastics and aerial fabric. She is also the head coach of the Evergreen High school gymnastics team.
Monnya has always wanted to have horses in her life, but the majesty of the equine had only been in her dreams until summer 2006 when she started vaulting at Golden Gate with Noel and Yossi Martonovich. She hopes to be a successful competitor in the vaulting world and looks forward to doing more shows with Big Horse Productions.