Dosbergen Kozugulov
Bareback Riding, Pieds Percussion, Trick Riding

After graduating with a law degree from Osh State University in Kyrgyzstan in 1997, Dosbergen (Dopka) Kozugulov traded the prospect of life as an attorney for a much less predictable pursuit. Following the footsteps of his uncle and mentor, Dopka became a trick rider. “I was over 20 when I started trick riding,” says Dopka, who was born in Arsy, a village in the Kyrgyzstan state of Jalal-Abad, where most families owned and farmed with horses.

“Trick riding is not easy,” notes Dopka, who toured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus and appeared at Equitana USA, among other events, before joining Cavalia in 2004. “You need physical skills. You have to believe in yourself, work hard, and just do it.” Dopka’s favourite trick to perform each show is streaking across the stage in a ‘Russian suicide drag’. “When I do that, it’s like a technique. You have to stretch your whole body very tight. You have to know how to ‘lay down’ and how to get up very fast. You need to know your body and how it works.”