The Svensons

Equestrians

By Dominique Jando

Carlos Svenson was born in Gålve, Sweden. He learned horseback riding and acrobatics from his parents, Karl and Anna Greta Svenson, whose comic pas-de-deux on horseback was a favorite of many European circuses in the 1960s and '70s. When his parents retired, Carlos took over their act with Susanne Lind, who was an apprentice to the family. Susanne also doubled in her own solo act, a classic ballerina on horseback, which won her the Dame du Cirque award at the 1989 International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo.

In addition to his comedy pas-de-deux, Carlos also developed other comedy acts, notably a parody of a haute-école(French) A display of equestrian dressage by a rider mounting a horse and leading it into classic moves and steps. (See also: High School) dressage act. The Svensons have performed their acts all over Europe, notably at Circus Roncalli and Circus Krone in Germany and Cirkus Benneweis in Denmark, as well as on stage, in nightclubs, and on television.

Carlos and Susanne Svenson made their U.S. debut at the Big Apple Circus in 1990. They subsequently settled in the U.S. and have since performed in all major American circuses, including Circus Flora, both the Red and Blue units of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and a return engagement at the Big Apple Circus that ran from 2001-03.

Susanne, who has been immortalized on a postage stamp printed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the circus in Sweden, retired from performing in 2007, and returned to live in Sweden. Carlos remained in the United States, where he still performs his comedy haute-école(French) A display of equestrian dressage by a rider mounting a horse and leading it into classic moves and steps. (See also: High School) act, and presents occasionally various trained animals.

See Also

• Video: The Svensons, Comedy on Horseback, in the Big Apple Circus production of Ballerinas, Horses and Clowns... (1990).
• Video: Susanne Svenson, Ballerina on Horseback in the Big Apple Circus production of Ballerinas, Horses and Clowns... (1990)
• Video: The Svensons, Comedy on Horseback, in the Big Apple Circus production of Big Top Doo-Wop (2001)
• Video: Carlos Svenson, Comedy High School Act in the Big Apple Circus production of Dreams of a City (2002)
• Video: Susanne Svenson, Ballerina on Horseback in the Big Apple Circus production of Dreams of a City (2002)
• Video: Carlos Svenson & The Big Apple Circus Company, pyramids on horseback, in the Big Apple Circus production of Dreams of a City (2002)

Photo Gallery

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  Carlos Svenson