Campacavallo – Scuola di Circo Morbido e Equitazione Affettuosa

Campacavallo is a sports association located in Milan that develops a particularly original approach combining circus arts, equestrian activities, nature and pedagogy.

His project combines two worlds rarely found together in the same school: the circus and the horse.

The activities take place in Allegricola , a green space of approximately 10,000 m2 located between the Parco di Trenno and the Bosco in Città .

Campacavallo has a real heated circus tent on site.

Circus activities can therefore be practiced all year round in a specifically designed environment.

An indoor riding arena allows work with the horses to continue when the weather is unfavorable.

A non-competitive pedagogy

The school develops a deliberately non-competitive pedagogy .

Children are seen as adventure companions rather than competitors.

The goal is not to achieve athletic performance at all costs.

On the contrary, each child is encouraged to learn new skills while respecting their own pace.

The joy of discovery is the starting point for learning.

Cooperation plays a particularly important role.

The child learns to function within a group.

He gradually discovers his abilities.

He can develop his self-confidence without being constantly compared to others.

This philosophy applies to both circus disciplines and equestrian activities.

Circummotor skills (4-5 years old)

Campacavallo welcomes children from the age of four into its regular classes.

Circumotricità constitutes the first step.

It is intended for children aged four and five.

The youngest children discover their bodies in motion through playful situations.

• They can roll on the ground.
• They jump on the mats.
• They are handling scarves.
• Music and rhythmic games are also used.

The first circus apparatus allows one to discover balance.

The activities develop coordination and body awareness.

Teamwork is introduced very gradually.

At this age, children are also introduced to horses.

The approach is gentle and progressive .

The horse is not simply considered as a piece of sporting equipment.

The child learns to observe a living animal possessing its own behavior and its own sensitivity.

From six years old: Circo Morbido and Equitazione Affettuosa

From the age of six , Campacavallo offers Circo Morbido and Equitazione Affettuosa .

The circus then takes on a much more important technical role.

Juggling

Juggling is one of the disciplines taught.

• The children are handling scarves.
• They are learning how to use the balls.
• Rings are also available.
• The clubs appear gradually.
• The diabolo is part of the equipment used.
• Chinese plates complement this discovery of object manipulation.

Balancing act

Balancing acts constitute a second important axis.

The students are working on the balance ball .

They also discover the taut wire .

These disciplines develop concentration, posture, and proprioception.

Acrobatics

Ground acrobatics is also taught.

• The children start with jumps and rolls.
• They gradually learn about verticals.
• A mini-trampoline allows for the introduction of other forms of acrobatics.

Aerial disciplines

Aerial disciplines also occupy a significant place in the program.

• The trapeze is taught.
• Aerial silks are also part of the courses.

Campacavallo therefore has a much more complete circus offering than its name might suggest.

The clown

The clown completes this training.

Children are experimenting with comical entrances in particular.

They discover the work of falling .

Slapsticks can be used.

The circus thus also becomes a tool for expression and theatrical play.

Acrobalance and group acrobatics

Some courses combine acrobalance and group acrobatics .

The students then work in pairs or in groups.

These exercises naturally strengthen mutual support and trust.

The discovery of the horse

Alongside circus activities, the children gradually discover horses .

• They begin by observing her posture and emotional states.
• They learn how to brush it.
• They can massage him and participate in some of his care.

This relationship allows for the gradual building of mutual trust .

Equestrian vaulting

Equestrian vaulting then became one of the major technical focuses of Campacavallo.

This discipline combines horse riding and gymnastics .

The horse is guided in a circle by an instructor using a lunge line.

This allows the student to concentrate on their movements.

Before performing the figures on a real horse, some are practiced on a dummy horse .

The students learn different ways to ride.

• They work first while stationary.
• They then progress towards climbs while moving.
• The basic figures of aerobatics are gradually introduced.
• More experienced practitioners can discover advanced figures.

Some figures are created individually.

Others require several students.

The work can ultimately be organized in the form of choreography .

Campacavallo thus creates a true bridge between circus acrobatics and equestrian vaulting .

The Circo e Cavalli courses

This association becomes particularly visible in the Circo e Cavalli courtyards.

Kids Group (8-10 years old)

The Kids group welcomes children aged eight to ten.

For the 2026-2027 season, it takes place every Friday .

The annual program comprises twenty-eight sessions between October 2026 and May 2027.

The children alternate between circus work and activities with horses.

A circus instructor and a riding instructor work together.

The group is intentionally limited.

Technical activities are carried out in small subgroups.

This organization allows for better support and strengthens security.

Circo e Cavalli Teen (11-17 years)

A Circo e Cavalli Teen course is also offered to eleven to seventeen year olds.

Teenagers can thus continue this dual practice.

A unique equestrian philosophy

Campacavallo also offers courses more oriented towards horse riding.

The school nevertheless retains its educational approach based on respect for the animal and the absence of competition .

The horse is never presented as a simple means of transportation.

• Participants learn to understand its behavior.
• They gradually develop a relationship with him.

This philosophy is particularly visible in the expression " Equitazione Affettuosa " used by Campacavallo.

Saturday mini-courses

The school also offers mini-courses on Saturdays .

Children and teenagers aged six to thirteen can then discover circus and horse riding simultaneously.

These sessions also include juggling, balancing, trapeze, silks, clowning and acrobatics.

They represent an interesting option for families who do not necessarily wish to attend a weekly class.

The Family Circus

Campacavallo is also developing the Family Circus .

This activity allows a child to practice with an adult from their family.

• It could be a parent.
• A grandparent can also participate.
• An uncle, an aunt or any other person considered to be part of the family may take part in the activity.

The youngest children can start in this program from around thirty months old .

The exercises are done in adult-child pairs.

Participants experience movement games, rolling, jumping and massages.

Small human pyramids can also be built.

The goal is to create a shared bodily experience .

Families can then reproduce some of the exercises at home.

Campus and stays

Campacavallo also organizes campuses during the holidays .

Circus arts and equestrian activities occupy a central place there.

The teaching method remains based on cooperation rather than competition.

• The children participate in activities in small groups.
• They also spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Contact with nature is an important dimension of the project.

The location between Parco di Trenno and Bosco in Città allows for walks and outdoor activities.

The school also organizes residential stays .

The children can then live with the group for several days.

These stays aim in particular to develop autonomy and community living .

The circus and equestrian disciplines are spread throughout the day.

A strong educational dimension

Campacavallo also works with schools .

School classes can come and discover the circus and the horses.

The activities are adapted to the age of the students.

The project once again has a genuine educational dimension.

• Circus arts become tools for working on coordination, cooperation and trust.
• The relationship with the horse provides another form of learning.

The child must observe.

He needs to adapt his behavior.

He discovers that an animal has its own reactions.

This combination gives the project a particularly original identity.

Inclusion

Inclusion is also an important focus of Campacavallo.

The organization explicitly states that its activities can be adapted for children and adolescents with disabilities .

During school trips, the presence of a teacher or specialist chaperone is requested to facilitate the experience when necessary.

The team also includes a psychologist .

In particular, she accompanies children with disabilities during circus and horse riding activities.

Its role is to foster positive interaction within the group.

This presence shows that inclusion is not just a general statement of the project.

Campacavallo has a person specifically qualified to accompany certain children.

A pedagogy of affectivity and empathy

Campacavallo's pedagogy is largely based on affectivity and empathy .

Teachers seek to observe each child's interests.

The activities then allow the participant to move towards what naturally attracts them.

• Some children may be more drawn to juggling.
• Others prefer acrobatics.
• Some people feel particularly comfortable around horses.

This diversity is considered an asset.

The group must allow everyone to find their place.

An atypical school in the Milanese landscape

Campacavallo thus constitutes a particularly atypical school in the Milanese circus landscape.

It is neither a traditional circus school nor a classic equestrian center. Its project is deliberately situated at the intersection of the two worlds .

Children can learn to juggle under a big top.

• They can work on a trapeze or aerial silks.
• They can walk on a wire or a balance ball.
• They practice acrobatics and acrobalancing.
• They discover the clown.

Then they can leave the big top to find the horses.

They learn to observe them and take care of them.

They gradually discover aerobatics .

They can finally create figures and choreographies that blend movement, horses, and artistic expression.

The 2026-2027 season

The 2026-2027 season confirms the continuation of this activity. Several annual groups are currently offered.

• Classes start from age four .
• Teenagers can continue until the age of seventeen in the Circo e Cavalli groups.
• Families also have Family Circus appointments available throughout the year.
• Schools can organize specific days.
• Campuses and stays complement the offering.

This diversity allows Campacavallo to reach very different audiences.

A legitimate place in the NetJuggler directory

For the NetJuggler directory, Campacavallo clearly deserves a listing.

• The school offers genuine circus disciplines taught regularly by specialist instructors.
• Juggling, trapeze, aerial silks, tightrope, balance ball, acrobatics, verticals, mini-trampoline, acrobalance and clowning are clearly documented.
• Equestrian vaulting gives the project a virtually unique identity among the schools currently listed.