On the shows the spotlights are usually on the riders and horses, but the real heroes are the organisers and their team, working to get everything organized. There is, however, one crew member that attrackts all attention while standing at the side of the arena. A man with a Spanish first name, a Polish last name, a German passport, a Dutch wife and a home in Canada – Pedro Cebulka. He is the hero of many riders, horses, sponsors and spectator... he is the one who makes everybody smile. In Las Vegas we had the pleasure to work together as a part of the crew for the World Cup finals. In Hong Kong we took a little bit time, just before the Grand Prix jump-off, to have a little talk with Pedro.
Pedro Cebulka, the man who is on every competition... When did you start as a ring master?
I started in 1986. The organisers of Spruce Meadows invited me to be their ringmaster. I had only one (simpel) job; Standing at the gate and call the riders in. In fact my job is very simpel; I need to get horse and rider in and out of the ring on time and safe. Its about communication with the jury, the veterinarians, the tv crews.. It’s important to make sure the riders are on time and calm. If the riders are calm, the horses will have a better chance to be in the right frame of mind
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Pedro at the Presidents Cup in Abu Dhabi[/caption]
What makes you decide what show you will be working at?
I am in a lucky position I can choose what shows I'll attend. For me most important is the atmosphere and the well being of the horses. Something you see with the better riders as well. I started at the bottom in Canada, working at the Spruce Meadows show ground, cleaning out stables. And since the beginning a good relation between horse and rider has always been my priority.
How did you end up at the Longines Masters
The organisers contacted me in an early stage of this competition tour. At that time it was still the Brussels Masters, organised by Nelson Pessoa. I was intregued by the idea of gathering the best of the world and let them have their own battle for victory. This and the quality level that was presented made me decide to become the Ring master at for the Masters series. A job I still love today!
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Pedro and Marco Kutscher at the Longines Masters in Hong Kong[/caption]
You obviously have a special relationship with the riders, you go everywhere with them, they’re like your kids in a way..
In many ways they are my kids, most are younger than me, some are brothers, and some are a little bit older than me. I’ve been in this business for 37 years. Rodrigo is second generation as many other riders. I have a special relationship with the riders: I have been with many in their happiest times but was also on their site as a friend in their toughest and sometimes saddest times. This is what creates our special bond.Do you have a favorite show?
I worked all over the world – in Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the States, South America – I did shows in Venezuela and Brazil. I do Hong Kong now. There are so many beautiful shows that it is impossible to name which ones I prefer. Of course Spruce Meadows will always be in my heart, this is where it all started. But as I said, all the shows I am working at now are very special to me.And what about horses, do you have a favorit horse?
I have many favorit horses. I met superstars over the years, I even used to fly with the horses. I remember we brought Europeans over on a jumbo with 65-70 horses. Some decades ago it was the captain who decided where the stallions and mares should go, it was fun! But the nice thing is every horse is unique and they are all special in a way. One small story is about Milton (John Whitaker). I used to fly the horses to Canada to Spruce Meadows and we were at Stansted in England and the groom somehow lost the horse. We were on the runway so I jumped over and grabbed his rope. The horse was rearing and I hanged on to it – if he’d run off he could have been hit by a plane. When I then let go of it the skin of my hands came off but we saved Milton! So that’s one of many happy stories with the horses.