Kynren – An Epic Tale of England has welcomed a rare breed Highland pony to the family ahead of the summer season of shows starting on Saturday 19th July.
Major, Kynren’s newest recruit, has made a big impression on the 1,000-volunteer cast and crew right away, even though he’s now the smallest horse at the epic live action night show, standing at just 14.1 hands tall.
He will star alongside Cosmo, the attraction’s tallest equine star who is 18.3 hands, in the heart-racing Viking attack scene – one of the most dramatic parts of the award-winning production featuring the kidnap of a fisherwoman.
Laurie Robinson, director of cavalry and estates at Kynren said: “Major really is big by name, and nature! He has made such an impact on the team and is a wonderful character with his own unique personality – he’s stolen a few hearts already!”
“Getting to work alongside the horses, and spending time with them every day, is a huge privilege for the entire cavalry team. We get to see them flourish – onstage and off – and it really is such a joy to see them get as excited for the shows as we do.”
Major is one of only 5,000 of his breed in existence today – a breed which was favoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – and the latest star has found a welcoming new home amongst the other horses who live year-round at the County Durham destination.
Lucy Watson from Kynren’s cavalry team has been instrumental in helping Major feel at home and getting started with his training ahead of the show’s tenth anniversary season this summer. She said: “Major has settled beautifully into his new role. He is a complete natural on stage and he has been loving the attention from our volunteers. We’re so pleased to have him here at Kynren and we’re excited for our audiences to see him and love him as much as we do!”
During the 90-minute action-packed show which transports audiences through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend, horses feature regularly including riding in procession, Medieval jousting and driving carriages in multiple scenes depicting England’s past.
The horses join a cast of animals, including cattle, sheep, and geese, which can be seen in the Saturday evening shows, to highlight how animals have always been a part of human history and have walked alongside us through the ages.
Ranked five stars on Tripadvisor, Kynren’s dazzling outdoor-theatre spectacle is the must-see event of the summer. Performances start at sunset and finish in starlight every Saturday night from 19th July to 13th September.
Tickets cost from £30 for adults and from £20 for under 18s. Children aged 3 and under are free when sat on an adult’s knee.
For further information and to book tickets, click here.