This week our Equestrian Circus Artist Spotlight goes to Gator-Alexandria Seal. This vaulter turned trick and roman rider performs in the fiery roman riding act and more at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN. This girl shines on stage and it was a pleasure to hear how she got to where she is today and what she plans for the future. Also, congratulations to Gator & Aaron on their recent wedding!
At what age did you start riding, and who was your first teacher?
Well, my parents are actually big city people. We never lived on a farm, but I was always obsessed with horses since I could talk. I took English lessons as often as I could, but it wasn’t until I was about ten years old when I really picked up on riding! I begged to go to a horse camp so I could have more than just one lesson every other week, and my parents finally gave in. While I was there, I began equestrian vaulting. My parents didn’t believe me at first, but I got a call after camp to join the team, and the rest is history! My coach for the next 8 years was Patti Skipton. She actually was a big impact on my life. Not only was she my coach, but she was a big mentor in my life. She helped me as I grew up, to be committed to a team, communicate, work hard, work hard outside of practice to achieve my goals inside of practice, and to appreciate the horses on the good runs as much as on our bad runs.
How did you get your start in equestrian performance?
I had always been a performer at heart. During vaulting competitions I kind of strayed from the “norm”. Everyone took an interest on tightening up the mandatory compulsories, but I was just in it for the freestyle routines. I knew I wanted to actually perform in 2010. I was in Kentucky for the World Equestrian Games performing at one of the barns to demonstrate what vaulting was. When I first started vaulting, there was a performer who pushed boundaries, he didn’t stick to the normal routines, but made himself known, his name is Erik Martonovich. I began to idolize his Michael Jackson routine. Even though he didn’t compete any more, my coach and him were friends, so she kept me in contact with his work. Well, now back to Kentucky! He was also there performing his roman riding act with a guy named Mark Vernacchia. During one of the performances they needed a rider, and asked me and my friend Anna to be in his act. We dug through his costumes and found some that fit. It was a small performance, I actually barely remember it! I was so nervous. But there was such an adrenaline rush, I forever craved! I continued to further my vaulting career, doing half time performances with my team at local fairs/ rodeos until it was time to go to college. I decided to go to The University of Kentucky, it had such an influence on me, I wanted to go back. I was hopeful that staying close with vaulting I would have an opportunity to perform again. While I was taking classes, I was offered a contract with a new and upcoming show called Sable’, in East Tennessee. It seemed too good to be true. They were looking for a competition style vaulter, semi-local, with hopes to further their professional career. My parents encouraged me to take a year off of school, and follow my heart! I moved to begin this adventure January, 2014, and have been in the same town since!
The first circus or show you performed in?
Other than demonstrations, and half time shows, the first show I performed in was Sable. It was based around a woman who drew her “visions” in the sand, while the artists brought them to life. I had a vaulting routine, that began at a walk, trot, then canter. It was unlike what I expected actually! It was more about consistency every day, and perfecting your simple maneuvers. I’ve always been about throwing my hardest tricks, but when you only compete 5 times a year, you can afford to gamble. With an audience 6 days a week, consistency was key. While I was at the show, I worked with some of the most talented people I have ever met, with acts I knew nothing about! I knew performing wasn’t going to be just a year off of school, I wanted this to be my future! I took everything I could in at this show, learning from every great performer, striving to learn more, trying to make a name for myself. The show was short lived, we probably were open 8 months in the two years I was there. It wasn’t a good fit for the town it was in, but I will forever be grateful for the show and the kind performers who taught me so much!
Your favorite performance ever?
“Everyone sees the end results, but not how you got there.”
— Gator Jaynes
I would have to say, my very first roman ride in the show. To the outsiders, it seems simple and easy, heck I thought that way too. But actually, its by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I think that’s why I love it so much, I have to work at it always. Anyways, I had been watching Dusti train the grey mares (Kat and Prim) since day one. My husband Aaron helped find them, and they were a wagon team. So I had been through everything with her, the ups, the downs, wrecks, burning my little legs on torches, I promise I saw it all. Unless you are directly there, or involved, you don’t realize the time put in, as most performances. Everyone sees the end results, but not how you got there. Well, my very first show on the mares, they had only done a handful of shows themselves, and I was completely new. I cant tell you a ton about my actual show, I was so nervous. But it wasn’t the show that made it, I knew I had a hundred more to perfect things. When I came backstage, I was greeted by, my now husband, Dusti, my great best friend Kimberly and Ashley. They all had been at every practice, dealt with every fall, and they all were crying, jumping with joy. I was crying, it was a mess. I was shaking, feeding the girl, and they were just so content. They had no idea what they just accomplished. At that moment, I knew me and them were going to make it. That this was just one of many. All of the hard work had paid off, and I can only grow from there. It may not be the performance I loved, doing it every day, I always love the performance. That day was different. I felt an overwhelming amount of support, confidence, and hopefulness for the future. Meanwhile my horses still didn’t know what the big deal was, they were just waiting for their grain!
What is your favorite breed(s) of horse to work with?
I grew up riding draft horses. I will always have a soft spot for them. I believe they are big puppies. So gentle, forgiving and goofy. But these last two years, I have grown fond of my quarter horses I work with. They have so much heart, and grit. I’ve come to find I love the speed, and although I love them, drafts don’t have much of that! Hahaha.
How many horses do you own or work with? Tell us a bit about them.
I currently work at Dolly Parton’s Stampede, or formally Dixie Stampede. There are about 40 horses give or take, but I personally work with 6. I have three sets of roman riding teams/trick horses that I personally take care of. We have Ace, and Duke, they are incredible. They are a roman team and trick horses. I have only been roman riding for a couple of years, and they are more advanced than I can always handle. They need my full attention and with two other teams, I cant always guarantee that. So as of now, they are our trick horses, while practicing and trying to better myself. Ace is stunning, Ill have pictures so you can see. He is all of 16 hands, and a tank. I probably shouldn’t be the one who gets to trick ride on him since I’m so little, and he’s so big, but I cant help it! There is just something about him! Duke is his partner, and as much as I love him, he shows no favoritism to me at all. He is all business. Does his job, and does it well. You never have to worry about his loyalty, he will pick you up on your worst day. Even if he isn’t one to cuddle. Haha! Then we have Jasmine and Jasper. They are a pair. I don’t know if you can describe them well individually. They are incredible riding horses, they are way smarter than me, and better than my ability! But they have taught me so much. Each show has to be “inconsistently consistent”. Although you do the same thing, you must always do something different to keep them fresh and paying attention! Jasmine is a princess, demands attention, but only on her time. She’s the cool girl I’m trying to earn my friendship with. While Jasper is the goofy, loving horse. While in the wash rack he always rubs his head on mine if I don’t pay him enough attention! Although these horses are a big part of my life, the two that save a part of my heart are my mares. Katniss and Primrose. When I first met them, they were untrained, out of shape, and I did not really understand how they would come together. But they are the biggest goofs I have ever been around. They are the team I learned on. They were there for my ups, for my downs, for my tears, everything. They always greet me with a nicker. If they are eating and they hear my voice, they about get whiplash jerking their head up. They are the most forgiving, and honest horses I have ever been around. I was nervous working with mares. But the heart, and effort they give you, is incredible. Some days they may have an attitude, but hey, as a lady, I understand! To give you an idea of how these girls are, I’ll tell you about a wreck I had with them. First of all, if you wreck them at the jump, its completely your fault, they are so goofy and simple minded, they don’t know any better but to listen. There isn’t a bad bone in their body. Well, one of my first times jumping them, I didn’t finish a turn! We split the jump, one jumped and one didn’t. As I faceplanted and tried to gain composure, both of my horses walk over to me and put their noses on me like “why did you do that?” So perky and confused at the wreck and why I pointed them wrong!
Who inspires you most in the industry?
I actually have two people! First I will say, Dusti Crain-Dickerson. She is definitely my best friend, but even with that aside, she is the most talented roman rider I have ever met. What I absolutely love about her, is that she always wants to be better. She competes with herself every performance. She has the speed, control, fire, with her roman team, but then she also has her three that she rides! I have tried that, and its a lot more rein than you can imagine! Haha! As if that wasn’t enough, she decided to work on a four up, two in the front while she stands on the other two. I have seen it before, but not at the caliber she rides, and she jumped them! Heck, I struggle jumping two, yet again four! I see her setting personal goals, and always improving. She’s got more guts and grit than I can ever dream of, and the willingness to help others learning the skill. She’s a great rider to aspire to be.
My other person who inspires me in this industry is Sylvia Zerbini. I worked with her at my first gig, Sable. I was just star struck honestly. She was the best horseman I had ever been around. She had so much control, and she had 10+ horses in the arena at a time! I was unsure if I could handle one, yet alone 10. She was always professional, she took her job just as serious in a rehearsal as she did a packed house. Sylvia was always on stage, even working her horses, it was so graceful and elegant. Never once did I see her get frustrated with them either. Instead of forcing them to get it right, she would change things up and put their attention elsewhere. The patience and professionalism she has, is what I strive to achieve in my performance career.
What are some ways you are looking to expand your equestrian performing career?
Honestly, I am beyond happy where I am. There is always room for improvement here. I am roman riding two teams, I would love to accomplish the third. I would love to be established and make a name for myself with the company. I couldn’t imagine myself performing at any other show. I have found my dream job! I do with one day to be able to have my own horses outside of work, be able to coach, and possibly fill in with trick riding or roman riding if I ever get the chance. But as of right now, my time is kind of full with work!
Which performances and/or opportunities are you most looking forward to in the future?
I actually found this out last night! I am trying to request off to do a rodeo with Dusti in a couple weeks! We used to ride at Dixie together, and it would be such a fun opportunity to get to perform together again! Fingers crossed it actually works out!
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
My favorite thing about what I do? That is so hard! I still would say, the actual show. That couple minutes of me in the arena with no one else but my two horses. I feel invincible, like I can conquer anything. We are flying around the arena, pyro is going off, I feel like one with my team. Its a special feeling that when the music plays, we all seem to sink into our comfort zone. The feeling is indescribable, but never goes away.
What do you think has been most instrumental to your success as an equestrian performer?
I think being an underdog. I came in without any circus training. I had no family in the business. To everyone else, I was just a “vaulter”. I had so much to learn, but I think that is what allowed me to get where I am. I was never to proud to ask for help. I had to ask how to “style” or “payoff”, how to make something bigger and more showy. How should I stand, help me with my dances, on and on, and on. I believe my work ethic got me to where I am – without a doubt. I had the past training to help me, but I truly believe if I never touched a horse, I would still be where I am, even if it took me longer to get there!
Advice to up and coming equestrian circus artists?
Your work ethic will get you far. I am telling you. Don’t believe any of the negative comments, because they will come. If you have any kind of promise, you will attract negative comments. Its inevitable in an industry where we all want to be a big part of the show! Remember why you began, don’t change your path for anyone but yourself. If you would have asked me if this is where I would be, I would have probably laughed at you. Some days it felt like the odds were stacked against me. But you’ll find people along your journey who will be some of the reasons you continue! Keep your head up, don’t let them know you’re sore, and always strive to better than you were the day before! (Also, don’t be afraid to reach out! I know so many performers who are willing to help new and coming performers!)
How can people follow your career and adventures?
I am definitely on Facebook! I may share more funny things than actual life photos, so fair warning! Gator-Alexandria Seal is my name on Facebook. I just got married a couple weeks ago! And on Instagram, its @gatorjaynes. Feel free to follow me, heck or send me a message!
The “Fun Section”….
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
If I could be any animal, it would probably be a horse, how cliché! hahaha. But a horse that lives in luxury! Maybe on a huge farm in Kentucky. Where the grass is always green, you don’t have anything to worry about, you can run as far as you want, but always have friends close by. I get lonely, I could never be an animal that lives by itself!
You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
Ohh! It is my lifetime dream to ride an elephant in Thailand! To do a journey through a river, and see the forest! Elephants are one of my favorite animals actually! If I had one at my house, I would probably ride it everywhere I possibly could.
*Fun fact! While at Dixie, I met my husband! We were both riders, and we were instantly friends. Since the day we met, we were basically inseparable. He is local, from about an hour an a half from work, while I am from north of Seattle. Who would have thought, two people from complete opposite worlds would get along so well! It always help having someone as equally crazy and understanding of you career choices. Not many people jump through fire every day, lucky for me, he knows how much I love it, and couldn’t imagine it any other way!
If you visit the Pigeon Forge, TN area, check out Gator and many talented riders in Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction. For tickets and information, click here.