At first glance, it might appear to be a fantastical circus performance. In fact, this is the opening ceremony of the World Equestrian Games, which wrapped up this week.
Ethereal equines —
At first glance, it might appear to be a fantastical circus performance. In fact, this is the opening ceremony of the World Equestrian Games, which wrapped up this week.
Courtesy FEI
Competitors from across the globe descended on Normandy, in northwestern France, for the two-week long Games. But first they were treated to a magic trick or two...
Magic trick? —
Competitors from across the globe descended on Normandy, in northwestern France, for the two-week long Games. But first they were treated to a magic trick or two...
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
The jumping events were given a surreal Dali-esque twist with fantastical obstacles in the ring. Here, South African Cara Biana Frew takes a leap of faith over a giant painter's hand.
Surreal obstacle course —
The jumping events were given a surreal Dali-esque twist with fantastical obstacles in the ring. Here, South African Cara Biana Frew takes a leap of faith over a giant painter's hand.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
While athletes in other sports might be more familiar with starting guns, theses international equine experts had a very different interpretation.
On your marks... —
While athletes in other sports might be more familiar with starting guns, theses international equine experts had a very different interpretation.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty
While the horses and their riders battled it out in the arena, mascot Norman -- named after the French area of Normandy -- surveyed the action. By the end of the Games, the hugely popular plush toy had disappeared from shop shelves.
Cute and cuddly mascot —
While the horses and their riders battled it out in the arena, mascot Norman -- named after the French area of Normandy -- surveyed the action. By the end of the Games, the hugely popular plush toy had disappeared from shop shelves.
Kit Houghton
From the arena, to the beach, the variety of sports at the Games was huge. Here, riders take part in a 160 kilometer endurance race.
Endurance —
From the arena, to the beach, the variety of sports at the Games was huge. Here, riders take part in a 160 kilometer endurance race.
Jean-Sebastian Evrard/Getty Images/File
British rider Harry Meade dives in the deep end during the cross-country category.
Water works —
British rider Harry Meade dives in the deep end during the cross-country category.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
French rider Vincent Haennel shows off some breathtaking moves during the vaulting, which is essentially gymnastics on the back of a horse, a sport where athletes clad head-to-toe in spandex perform handstands, leaps, and cartwheels on top of an animal cantering in a 20-metre circle.
Jump for joy —
French rider Vincent Haennel shows off some breathtaking moves during the vaulting, which is essentially gymnastics on the back of a horse, a sport where athletes clad head-to-toe in spandex perform handstands, leaps, and cartwheels on top of an animal cantering in a 20-metre circle.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
A little less graceful is the unusual sport of horse-ball. Here, France's Cecile Guerpillonand Spain's Laura Font go head-to-head.
Horse ball? —
A little less graceful is the unusual sport of horse-ball. Here, France's Cecile Guerpillonand Spain's Laura Font go head-to-head.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
And in the rough-and-tumble world of horse-ball, it's not always easy to keep on top of things...as France's Shirley Antoine found out.
Fall from grace —
And in the rough-and-tumble world of horse-ball, it's not always easy to keep on top of things...as France's Shirley Antoine found out.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
The Dutch team stayed up to win the men's jumping competition. Pictured are coach Rob Ehrens, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Gerco Schroder, Maikel van der Vleuten and Jur Vrieling.
Dutch courage —
The Dutch team stayed up to win the men's jumping competition. Pictured are coach Rob Ehrens, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Gerco Schroder, Maikel van der Vleuten and Jur Vrieling.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File
Meanwhile, a dashing looking German team won the dressage event. Pictured are captain Klaus Roeser, Kristina Sprehe, Helen Langehanenberg, Isabell Werth and Fabienne Lutkeimeier.
Top hats and tails —
Meanwhile, a dashing looking German team won the dressage event. Pictured are captain Klaus Roeser, Kristina Sprehe, Helen Langehanenberg, Isabell Werth and Fabienne Lutkeimeier.
Charly Triballeau/Getty Images/File