Celebrating a tradition that stems from the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. A tradition as grand as the Coliseum that was built to contain it. An eternity ago it thrived, but for centuries since, it was but an empty shell. However, that which once left spectators breathless and amazed, the very heart of Rome, lives on today.

Not far away the ancient ruin, where echoes of roaring crowds can still be heard, lies San Fiore, Italy. It is there, in the 1840's, where the tradition was reborn with descendants of the great charioteers, two master equestrian families whose blood lines crossed, producing some of the finest equestrian acrobats the world has ever seen. Now seven generations, each generation intesifying their craft, gives rise to a whole new breed of equestrian performer.

Today, the legacy continues as the family torch is passed on to four brothers. Brothers with the passion and know-how of their ancestors, driven by the heart of Rome, brother at the beating center of an epic collaboration, Cavallo Equestrian Arts.

family history

MEET THE DIRECTOR
Two illustrious lines of Equestrian Bareback riders combined to create the rare and resilient talents of Ma'Ceo's Creator and Director, Olissio Zoppe. Olissio hales from a rich Italian line of 8th and 9th generation Bareback Riders and equestrian performers, the Zoppes and the Zamperlas. He is one of the most well rounded equestrian performers to grace the stage today.

Throughout his varied experiences he has mastered the arts of Liberty, Dressage, Cossack Riding, Roman Riding, the rare and dangerous art of Bareback Riding. He has been performing since the age of four, has toured extensively and has appeared in such shows as: Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, Cheval Theatre, Circus Flora, Big Apple Circus and a multitude of Fairs across the nation, such as the Hawaii and Alaska State Fair. olissio now performs in the ever-evolving Ma"Ceao, which he created and directs.

Olissio zoppe