Serious horseplay

ALas Vegas-based acrobatic equestrian performing group continues to train every day despite the cancellation of shows because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The performers are part of “Gladius The Show,” which is loosely based on gladiators and mythology. The show has performed at the South Point as well as locations in other cities.

“With this whole shutdown, for us it’s not just the city shutting down, it’s the whole country shutting down because we tour, so everything we had booked for the entire year is canceled,” said Erik Martonovich, one of the show’s co-owners.

In the meantime, performers stay sharp by practicing their routine and training the show’s 18 horses on their Las Vegas ranch.

“We have to keep training every day and keep the horses in training every day, but it’s hard because our shows and our performance is why we do what we do and why we love it so much,” said Nicole England-Czyzewski, a performer in the show. “I think the hardest part is just staying motivated when we don’t know when our next show will be.” It hasn’t been easy.

“We all lost our jobs,” performer Alethea Shelton said. She added that she was able to file for unemployment from her job as a massage therapist on the Strip. “We’re just kind of keeping it together somehow.”

Recently, the performers took the show to the streets of the Strip. Adorned in gladiator outfits, they performed feats atop the horses for cars passing by, police officers and construction workers to brighten up the seemingly apocalyptic atmosphere.

“Gladius The Show” co-owner Erik Martonovich rides on Balder, a rescue horse, during a practice Tuesday for the combat act as his wife and performer Lisa Varmbo Martonovich riding on Frya, another rescue horse, follows him at their Las Vegas ranch.

“Gladius The Show” performer Lisa Varmbo Martonovich performs stunts on Thunder during a practice Tuesday.

Alethea Shelton sits with Spirit, a miniature horse, during their training Tuesday. Eighteen horses are trained for “Gladius The Show” performances.

Gladius The Show Performers from “Gladius The Show” ride their horses down the Strip and perform acrobatic stunts on May 8.

“Gladius The Show” performer Alethea Shelton moves hay Monday to feed horses as Thunder munches at the ranch.

“Gladius The Show” performer Nicole EnglandCzyzewski performs stunts on Cannon on Tuesday as Lisa Varmbo Martonovich, background, practices with Thunder.