Backstage Drama Behind Cancellation of Valitar? Show was at Fairgrounds

Producers of a touring horse and acrobatics show that opened at the Del Mar Fairgrounds canceled their remaining shows amid lackluster ticket sales, the fairgrounds said.

Valitar, which featured more than 25 entertainers and 50 horses of various breeds, opened Friday and was set to run through the end of the month under a red 45,000-square-foot tent.

The show was created by Mark and Tatyana Remley, a native San Diegan who stars in the show.

U-T San Diego reported that cast member Darren Zatkow said he left the show in late September over artistic differences with the Remleys, “such as making Tatyana Remley the star of the show.”

“She’s not a good horse rider and he wanted her to be the star of the show and all of us to kowtow to her,” Zatkow was quoted as saying.

Zatkow said many of the original performers left for the same reasons before the show opened in Del Mar, the U-T reported.

Valitar also was going up against a similar equine show called Cavalia near Petco Park.

Tickets to Valitar were offered at 15 percent discount. Refunds for tickets bought through Ticketmaster, which ranged from $45 for kids weekday admission to $225 for a weekend or holiday VIP pass, are available by calling 800-745-3000, Linda Zweig of the fairgrounds said Thursday.

Those who bought tickets at the box office should call 858-792-4252
for a refund.

—City News Service contributed to this report.