Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Ian Van Temperley is a stunt man for TV and films; his credits include 'Gladiator', 'Sleepy Hollow', 'Sharpe', 'Merlin' and many more; Ian is also the director of the renowned Horsemen of the Apocalypse and this is just a part of their story.

At Christmas 1999, after many years of working for other teams, Ian Van Temperley met David Jackson in a pub in Kingsley Cheshire, and spoke of his ideas to form a new team which would be fresh and exciting and that didn't consist of the usual jousting, Cossack and Cowboys and Indians.

With the year 2000 looming and the Bible's reports of the 'Return of the Four Horsemen', a week later the Horsemen of the Apocalypse team was born!

Now Ian had set himself an almost impossible task to find and train horses, find riders, make costumes and create a show with the summer season only three months ahead... Ian relied on former work colleagues who are still with the team today.

Ross 'Bullet' Nickels, who was trained by Ian, was first on the list to be called, closely followed by Manu Lafon from Toulouse (France) who played a big part in training Ian and who was himself originally trained by a Cossack (Wranosky).

Next was the hunt for the horses - after being let down once in Nice, Ian set off in the wagon to Grenoble (France) and arrived back in England in January 2000 with 3 Andalusians - 2
stallions and 1 gelding. The fourth horse Ian bought from his mother - a year old Arab called Imadi.

Three months after the horses arrived their first show loomed, the two-day 'Wiltshire County Show'. Ian said, "this is the first time me and other experienced members of the team went to bed at ten o'clock the previous night apprehensive about the following day's outcome".

They had no need to worry as the following week they had a full-page spread in Horse and Pony magazine plus numerous television interviews!

"Things have been great for the team since we first started. The horses have been on many TV programmes and also films; Todo our Spanish gelding has been on the Ice Show at Alton towers, on stage with Carmen and was a principle horse on the TV series 'Jacob's Ladder'. I have continued with my TV and film stunt work but our greatest achievement was to be invited to the Horse of the Year Show in September 2003; although it wasn't the normal Apocalypse show it was a great challenge and the feedback has been fantastic.

Now we are approaching our fifth year we have decided to vamp things up (literally) - we are hanging up our old costumes for an even fresher look. If you like the films 'Blade' or 'The Matrix' watch this space for next year's show Apocalypse EXTREME.

Also if we have any upcoming stunt riders out there or just people who would like to learn how to rear or lie-down their horses just like in the movies, then come on one of our one-day courses in Stafford - contact details below.

"A grateful thanks to all my team members old and new for their continuous support and hard work, and most of all for my horses, for being our work colleagues, our friends and keeping us safe". (Ian van Temperley)

tel - 01766 819121
E-mail Ian @ Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Horsemen of the Apocalypse have their own section on NAGTrader's Forum where you can find out more or ask a question.

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