Kenzie Dysli speaks with her horses in a language that doesn't need a lot of words.

Liberty Dressage, as global theatrical phenomenon CAVALLUNA is popular for, is a true exchange of trust between horse and rider — one built on body language, timing, voice, and feel.

The German-Spanish horse trainer has spent her life honing her craft, and it's carried her far beyond the arena: to film sets for "Ostwind" ("Windstorm"), "Bibi & Tina," and "Wendy," onto European stages as one of the performers of CAVALLUNA, and now the lead role for the show's official Asia debut in Hong Kong.

Long before any of that, though, Kenzie was simply a kid on a ranch.

She grew up on Hacienda Buena Suerte in the Andalusian countryside of Southern Spain, the daughter of celebrated western rider Jean-Claude Dysli. Horses, she says, were never a hobby or a career choice — they were her whole world. Her father taught her the discipline's fundamentals, while natural horsemanship expert Pat Parelli and Alta Escuela Specialist Ismael Romero Arroyo later shaped her technique further.

But some of her most enduring lessons came from her horses themselves. James, her first liberty partner, taught her to strip her own emotions out of training — kicking and bolting whenever she grew impatient or stubborn, until she learned to remain calm. Atila, a fierce Spanish stallion, demanded something different: Kenzie's ability to be a firm, fair leader without losing the horse's trust.

"You have to be honest with your feelings, because horses see you and feel you," Kenzie says. "You cannot pretend in front of them."

That honesty is what audiences are actually watching for when they see her perform. In 2022, Kenzie joined CAVALLUNA, starring as Princess Samira in "Legend of the Desert" for the show's European tour. Now she returns to the production for "Gate to the Otherworld," the show's first-ever run outside Europe, landing at Kai Tak Arena this September.

In this Artist Spotlight exclusive, The Beat Asia sits down with Kenzie to talk about growing up around horses, the lessons James and Atila taught her, life as a CAVALLUNA performer, and what it means to bring their production to Hong Kong, where she will star as “Anam,” a stablemaid from the mystical Otherworld who is madly in love with the King. Explore the deep connection riders share with their horses, and the trust, dedication, and craft behind Europe's most decorated equestrian theatrical masterpiece.

Growing up in Hacienda Buena Suerte in Andalusia, the daughter of a professional rider, and always surrounded by horses, was there ever a point you considered a different path? Or did horse riding always feel inevitable?

Horses have always been my whole life. I grew up with them, and I have learned so much from them throughout my life. I never really considered doing anything else but living my life with horses.

Of course, when I was younger, I was interested in other things too, like acting and dancing. I still love acting and playing in movies. But horses are something I don't think I could ever live without.

The horses I have are not just horses to me. They are like my family.

What is the most enduring lesson that your parents taught you that you still carry with you to this day?

The most enduring lesson my parents have given me, and I still carry with me in my life, is that when you work with horses, you have to be honest.

You have to be honest with your feelings, because horses see you and feel you. They know exactly what is going on inside you, and you cannot pretend in front of them. You have to be real.

It is something I always remember, and something I have learned so much from. It has also taught me to control myself and my emotions, how to work with my emotions, and how to always try to be fair with my horses.

What did you learn from each of your teachers?

There is not only one lesson I learned from each teacher. Each teacher has brought something different to my riding and my way of thinking, while at the same time, there are many similarities between them.

I have learned from many different people, but I will point out some of them here. I always try to learn from everyone I can when I feel that they have something interesting.

For example, there are three completely different disciplines: Western/Liberty trainer, a Spanish High School trainer, and a Working Equitation trainer. I learned different ways of riding and working from the ground, but most importantly, they all have the same goal. Building an unbreakable bond between you and your horse. And show the best you can. Everything that is inside your horse — pointing out the strong parts and encouraging the weakest parts.

You've described liberty dressage as developing "a joint language" with a horse. How do you build that language with a new horse?

For me, training begins from the very first second you get in touch with the horse. It is not only about going to the arena and training there. It already starts when you open the box.

When you pet your horse, you are building trust. You are touching your horse, discovering how he likes to be touched, and what he doesn't like. You can see his character, get to know him, and create a connection.

The horse needs to understand you, and you need to understand him.

Then, the first thing I start training in the arena is the very first steps on the ground: how we move together, the first leading steps, and who is moving who. Using my body language a lot, starting to use voice signals, and showing him how my world goes.

Let's talk about your horses: James and Atila. Could you share specific moments with each of them that taught you these lifelong lessons?

James showed me how to control my emotions because he was the first horse I learned liberty [dressage] with. And James was very clear. If I got angry, or if I was too nervous or too stubborn because I wanted to do something, or if I crossed certain lines, he would just kick me and run away.

He didn't want to come back until I had calmed down and until I tried a new way. He repeated this until I really tried to find a way where he would have fun with it, where I was also super fair and calm.

Atila was a very strong stallion. He was super energetic, very stallion-like, and he simply would not listen to me if I wasn't really sure and clear about what I was asking.

With him, I really learned to show him that I was a strong leader and to find the balance between being strong and asking for work, while always staying fair and keeping the fun.

Because, of course, when you have a horse that is very strong, doesn't listen to you, only wants to see the mares, and if you're not looking at him 100%, he might attack you or run away, then you again need to learn to control your emotions. Otherwise, you could react a little unfairly. And whenever that happens, the situation only gets worse.

So, I needed to learn to be very firm, very clear. To be a strong leader who's always fair. This also meant adjusting my boundaries to his needs. He needed to express himself. So, I needed to learn how to have this strong, wild horse next to me in a comfortable and safe way.

As a profession that carries real physical risk for both horse and rider, how do you handle that danger in training and performing?

In my daily work with horses, of course, there are always some risks. But with time and experience, you learn how horses work, especially stallions, and you learn to anticipate situations and take precautions.

I always try to do everything as calmly as possible while being aware of what could happen. My goal is to keep the horse calm and make everything as safe as possible.

Of course, you can never eliminate every risk. A horse can suddenly get scared, jump, buck, or react unexpectedly. These are risks that come with working with horses.

But by preparing everything properly, working the horse with trust, and preparing him for all kinds of situations, I try to minimize the risk. With all the experience I've gained over the years, I've developed a good feeling for what could happen and how to prevent it.

What are some grounding and care practices you have with your horses to establish that level of confidence, trust, and safety?

To build confidence and trust with my horse, I try to be the same person every day and establish routines that make him feel safe. At the same time, I prepare him for everything he may face in the future: at shows, while traveling, and out in the big world.

The most important thing I try to teach my horses is that a new situation doesn't have to be a scary one. I want to be their safe point and leader, so they trust me and feel confident facing new experiences with me. I give them the time to look, understand, and get comfortable with each new situation, so they can remain calm and relaxed.

CAVALLUNA is about to make its first-ever debut outside Europe. What does being a part of the show's production in Hong Kong mean to you personally?

Being part of CAVALLUNA means a lot to me. I love the family atmosphere, being surrounded by different artists, traveling, and facing new situations together with my horses. And of course, I really enjoy the combination of riding and acting. I love acting, so for me, [the CAVALLUNA production] is something truly special.

Given the travel, new environment, adjustment, how involved are you in a move like this?

The well-being of my horses is always my top priority. If I feel that a horse isn't completely fit or I'm not sure whether he can travel, he stays home. I would always rather go without my own horse and, if necessary, ride another one than put my horse in a situation where he could be at risk or simply doesn't feel well.

Liberty work depends so much on trust. Does a big relocation change how you approach rehearsals in a new city?

Nothing changes the way I approach rehearsals. I always do it the same way, no matter where we are. I give my horse the time he needs and always adapt to how he is feeling that day. No matter how much pressure there is, I do everything I can to make sure my horse never feels it.

I think this is also very important in liberty work: maintaining a strong, trusting relationship with your horse. If you ever deceive your horse, you can lose that trust. That's why it's so important to always be fair, give your horse the time he needs, and never put him in a situation where he doesn't feel comfortable.

What do you want a first-time audience member to feel or understand when watching the CAVALLUNA production?

I want the audience to feel the magic and be emotionally touched by the connection between horse and human.

What excites you the most about performing for an Asian audience for the first time?

Everything about going to Asia is exciting. 

I've never been to Hong Kong before, so I'm especially looking forward to seeing the audience, experiencing their reactions, and sharing the horses with them. It's a completely new experience, an adventure, and I'm excited about every part of it. And I'd love for us to have the opportunity to come back every year.

Now CAVALLUNA has expanded to Asia, do you have any dream destination or performance venues?

I'm simply excited to experience Hong Kong, see the city, and do a little sightseeing. I've never been here before, so I'm sure there will be so many new and exciting things to discover.

CAVALLUNA has now performed for over 9 million people across more than 30 European cities. Is there a particular night, city, or audience reaction that has stayed with you?

There are some arenas with an extraordinary atmosphere, like the big arena in Berlin. It's amazing and incredible to perform there. Every time we are in Berlin, we all get excited about performing in this special arena. It's definitely a place I always look forward to and remember.

How have you seen the show evolve over time?

For me, the evolution of the show has been huge. In the past, it was more about one horse act after another with a story in the background. Today, it feels much more like a musical — we have a real storyline, we act within it, and the horses are part of the theatre. It has become a beautiful combination of horses, acting, and musical theater.

How have you personally grown your craft over these years?

For me, personally, I've developed a lot of acting experience through CAVALLUNA. Between the shows, I took acting lessons and courses, which helped me enormously to grow as an actress and to take on new roles and characters within the CAVALLUNA shows.

I also developed my liberty work a lot and learned new disciplines. In my first CAVALLUNA show, Legend of the Desert, I had to learn trick riding, dancing, and, at the same time, work in liberty with my horse. It taught me to take on new challenges while staying connected and fair with my horse. Even when playing a completely crazy character, I have to remain the same person for my horse and give him the same feeling of trust. This experience taught me a lot about timing, balance, and staying connected — and I grew tremendously through it.

Can you elaborate more on the storytelling and production in CAVALLUNA? What do you love the most about how you, the team, and horses work together?

I love the way the CAVALLUNA family works together. We riders support each other a lot, and I know that whenever I have a problem with my horse, there is always someone who will help me. And of course, I'm always there for them too. The artists are incredibly supportive and helpful, and that creates a really special feeling of being part of a family.

What's next for you and CAVALLUNA?

For me, the next step with CAVALLUNA will probably be the winter show, which takes place only during the winter season in Munich. I'm not part of the big tour yet next year, but we're not part of it every year. Sometimes, we take a year off to give our horses a little break, and it also allows CAVALLUNA to bring in new people and fresh ideas.

For Hong Kong audiences, this September marks a genuine first: CAVALLUNA - Gate to the Otherworld is the production's debut outside Europe, after captivating millions across the continent. Kenzie Dysli will be among the performers bringing the spectacle to Kai Tak Arena, alongside fellow equestrian talents Bartolo Messina and newcomer Rudj Bellini — plus 54 horses across eight breeds in a story of exile, magic, and self-belief built around the young sorceress Meerin. As Official Equine Transport Partner, Cathay Cargo is operating a series of dedicated charter flights using its Boeing 747 aircraft to bring all horses safely from Europe to Hong Kong.

The show runs for eight performances only, on Sept. 8 and 10 to 13, 2026, presented exclusively by The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the Exclusive Presenting Partner and Culture Host, and part of its Year of the Horse campaign. Beyond Kenzie's liberty dressage, expect feats like the Hungarian Post — wherein a single rider stands atop two galloping horses while guiding several more — set inside breathtaking cinematic staging, live dance, and an original score.

Tickets are on sale now via HK Ticketing and Ticketflap, from HK$395 to HK$1,995.

If you want to see Kenzie in motion, CAVALLUNA - Gate to the Otherworld is your chance to witness the magic. Catch her live at Kai Tak Arena this September. For more updates and learn more information, visit CAVALLUNA's website and follow the official Instagram page. Get to know Kenzie Dysli by following her on Instagram and checking out her website.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Artist Spotlight profiles here.

CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld Kai Tak Arena Tue, September 8 7:00 PM onwards Experience Europe’s acclaimed equestrian spectacle "CAVALLUNA: Gate to the Otherworld" from 8, 10-13 Sept, 2026, at Kai Tak Arena, with tickets from HK$395.

CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld is financially supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld only, but does not otherwise take part in it. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the materials/activities (or by members of the grantee’s team) are those of the organizers of CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.