It took them two years to train the animals for the act which was created by one of Russia’s most gifted animal trainers, Irina Zapashnaya.

One of the main contenders for the festival’s top honors were also animal trainers from Germany who managed to surprise the professional jury and the public by bringing together four African elephants and six horses in one act – what has been immediately described as a “circus phenomenon”. It was always believed to be next to impossible to pair these animals up in the ring.

While Russians proved the best in terms of dealing with beasts of prey, Chinese acrobats proved unbeatable in finding the right balance. Their act was watched with a sinking heart and praised by the jury.