AN expert equestrian whose daredevil moves have led to her becoming a film stunt woman is now wowing audiences at an open air theme park and show in the region.

Stunt rider Marine Gourdon is the star of a spectacular new equine theatrical performance at 11Arches Park, on the edge of Bishop Auckland.

The Frenchwoman has the lead role in Fina and the Golden Cape, a 50-minute show taking place every Saturday until September 11.

The show provides an opportunity for Marine to wow audiences with her incredible riding skills.

Stunt rider Marine Gourdon is the star of a spectacular new equine theatrical performance at 11Arches Park, Bishop Auckland

Stunt rider Marine Gourdon is the star of a spectacular new equine theatrical performance at 11Arches Park, Bishop Auckland

She is one of the only female riders in Europe to have attempted a “drag fall”, in which she is pulled along the ground by a galloping horse.

It has led her to becoming an equine stunt woman on a series of television and film productions.

Her daredevil career began as a teenager when she took a summer job at Puy du Fou, a French theme park similar to 11Arches which provided much of the inspiration for the attraction as part of a regeneration project in the Bishop Auckland area.

She enjoyed it so much that on completing her training to become a PE teacher, she decided to turn her attentions to the historical attraction, spending eight years trying to land a male character’s role as a trick rider.

Marine’s fearlessness meant she was often paired with the wildest horses and despite suffering many falls, she was never injured, which convinced her to become a full-time stunt woman.

At the age of 32, Mario Luraschi, one of the world’s greatest horse trainers and stunt riders, asked Marine to work with him and under his tuition she successfully completed her first drag fall – a feat she describes as the best day of her life.

She has since worked for Mario doing stunts for films and shows, before joining the 11Arches team for Fina in 2019.

Stunt rider Marine Gourdon is the star of a spectacular new equine theatrical performance at 11Arches Park, Bishop Auckland

Stunt rider Marine Gourdon is the star of a spectacular new equine theatrical performance at 11Arches Park, Bishop Auckland

The show has been receiving rave reviews as the crowning glory at new daytime visitor attraction 11Arches Park, which opened earlier this month.

In addition to the climactic equine show there area other new family-friendly pre-show activities, including The Maze of Fame, Kids’ Viking Lair, the Dancing Waters show, Animal Croft and the interactive Viking Village.

Visitors can get close to nature, step back in time and lose themselves in the immersive and exhilarating live action show on the panoramic outdoor stage, which is set in a beautifully landscaped open space.

Featuring trick-riding, vaulting and chariot-racing, Fina is the latest addition to one of the UK’s largest outdoor shows Kynren – an Epic Tale of England which is performed in the evening by a 1,000-strong cast and crew on a 7.5-acre outdoor stage.

11Arches Park and Kynren – An Epic Tale of England are produced by 11Arches, a registered charity, whose objective is to produce world class shows and attractions, underpinned by an innovative and engaging arts, education and community development programme.

There are only three Saturdays to go before the park closes, ahead of fully opening again in 2022, for details and tickets visit 11arches.com

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

 

 

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

 

 

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054