Please welcome Chelsea Jordan, Cavalia Odysseo veteran and current assistant trainer at Medieval Times, to our Equestrian Circus Spotlight! Thank you Chelsea for sharing your experiences and insights! We look forward to seeing where your equestrian career takes you!
At what age did you start riding, and who was your first teacher?
I started riding at age 7, so 23 years ago. My first teacher was the kindest horseman – a soft-spoken cowboy in his 70s named Dick Osborn. He managed his own riding/breeding facility where he taught kids and adults a variety of western riding disciplines, including cutting, reining and pleasure. He bred foundation quarter horses, and it was on his mare, Doc’s Super Nova (barn name “Nova”) that carried me in my first horse show at age 8. Her spirited daughter, a 14-hand palomino mare named Hollywood’s Superstar (barn name “Riki”), eventually became my first horse and taught me what I consider to be some of my most valued life skills. Dick passed away a few years ago in his mid-80s. Even in his final days, he wore the same old baseball cap. On the front it read, “I work hard for this body.”
How did you get your start in equestrian performance?
Growing up, performing arts and horses were my two favorite hobbies. I definitely daydreamed about them in school more than anything else. (That and travel.) I certainly contemplated going professional from a young age, but I also had a burning desire to discover – and even help – the world, if I could. I enjoy learning about different cultures and global affairs quite a lot, so I went on to obtain my undergraduate degree in International Relations, joined the United States Peace Corps for a little over two years in Botswana, and then got my Master’s degree in International Environmental Policy and Spanish. I still rode and occasionally participated in local performing arts, but at that I was on track for a career in my academic field. The problem was… the daydreaming thing. While I loved what I studied, the moments where my brain latched onto horses and performing were broke my focus way more often than they probably should have. Then Odysseo by Cavalia came to town and had a serendipitous casting call at the same time as my postgrad job hunt. You can imagine what my professors probably thought when I “ran away with the circus”.
The first circus or show you performed in?
The first show I performed in was Odysseo by Cavalia in 2016, which at the time was the largest touring theatrical production in the world and featured a variety of equestrian, acrobatic and musical disciplines. I performed dressage, liberty, jumping and Roman riding (where I ride two horses at the same time standing up).
Your favorite performance ever?
This is such a hard question! Any performance where everyone is enjoying their time on stage and backstage together is my favorite! But actually in 2017, a huge group of family members and friends got together for a reuinion trip to see me perform when Odysseo was in Camarillo, California. It was so special because even my grandpa was able to go. (He actually took me to see both of my first Cavalia shows – once when I was 14 and again as a graduation gift.) I really hoped I would get to perform for him one day, and I got to. I remember being so happy and in the moment during that show, even ALL of my horses were perfect on stage… and every horse person knows how rare that is!
What is your favorite breed(s) of horse to work with?
I love all horses! But there is something about Iberian horses and American Morgans that win me over. Give me something with an arched neck, a natural uphill canter and a fiery character that gives me new challenges everyday and I’ll probably never leave the saddle.
How many horses do you own or work with? Tell us a bit about them.
I am now an Assistant Horse Trainer for Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Scottsdale, Arizona, where I currently work with 29 horses. Most are Andalusian stallions, but we also have Aztecas, quarter horses and one very fluffy Friesian. The ones I work most closely with (along side our Head Trainer, Knights and amazing team of stablehands) specialize in dressage, longlining and liberty.
I also own two retired horses: Imager’s Signature (barn name “Pirate”) is my feisty black quarter horse gelding who put up with my teenage years, and of course, my family still has Riki. She is 29 years old, 100% sound and giving riding lessons to a close friend’s grandchildren.
Who inspires you most in the industry?
Kids inspire me most in this industry. I’m very lucky in that I get to perform for so many on a regular basis, because they remind me that even though I risked my resume to join the wild world that is the entertainment business, I can still give back with what I do. In fact, because I am so mentally charged by my day-to-day activities, I actually feel like I am able to give back more than I was prior to doing this line of work. I love seeing kids’ confidence grow when they’re around horses, or when they’re partaking in some kind of performing arts. They inspire me to ride my best, and when I don’t ride my best, to show them that I am grateful for my failures because it means I will have more victories to celebrate in the future.
What are some ways you are looking to expand your equestrian performing career?
It feels like it has been a long, sweaty road to get to where I am now as an equestrian performer, but honestly, I’ve really only scratched the surface. I am at a point where I feel very comfortable on stage with horses and I want more challenges, so I am focusing more on the training side, both with young horses and with people. I only just started working at Medieval Times, but as I am really enjoying the experience, for me “expanding” my career right now really just means being content and present with where it is at! Feels great.
Which performances and/or opportunities are you most looking forward to in the future?
Dum dum dum… you’ll see!
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
I smell like a horse most of the time so strangers don’t approach me much in the produce aisle… nah, just kidding! (Sort of.) Actually my favorite thing about my job is the people! I have such a strong network of friends and mentors all over the world because of this industry. If I have a bad day, I know a belly laugh is just a phone call away.
What do you think has been most instrumental to your success as an equestrian performer?
Again, the people.
Advice to up and coming equestrian circus artists?
This industry is so exciting and can be very rewarding, but it is also intense. It takes a lot of physical and emotional commitment, so if you are in this industry already or thinking of pursuing it, strive to be bold and kind at the same time. Be bold in your training and be bold for your audience – they don’t care if you are tired, they just want to be inspired. (Hey, that rhymes!) And be kind to everyone you work with, including yourself. Put care and effort into building a supportive community, and the stressful days won’t get to you as much. (They’ll probably just make you hungry.)
Tell us a little about your fine art and how that has tied in with your equestrian career.
I like to come home and paint to unwind! Mainly I do oil and acrylic paintings of horses and other animals, many of which are coupled with various circusy elements like aerialists, acrobats and lots of contrasting colors. You can see my art at www.chelseajordanart.com or on my art Instagram @chelseajordanart . I also occasionally take commissions!
How can people follow your career and adventures?
@chelseajordanequestrian – for all things equestrian performance
@chelseajordanart – for my paintings
Fun questions!
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Probably a spinner dolphin. I’ve always wished I could do flips and swim really fast.
What is your favorite flavor of Skittle?
Red!
Guilty pleasure?
Coke-a-cola… I crave it after a long day of riding! I know it is really unhealthy.
You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
Love it forever! I’d sell all my belongings just to build it a safe happy home!
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I wish I could speak Horse.