If you’ve ever visited Medieval Times in Schaumburg, Illinois, you might recognize Mario Contreras. As the King’s Master of Horse, he’s more than just a performer; he’s integral to the show’s success.

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Growing up in a small town outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, Contreras could not possibly have imagined that one day this would be his life.

In his key role at Medieval Times, Contreras isn’t only a mainstay of the performance but also an essential figure in its behind-the-scenes success, earning him high praise.

“I started working with horses and working with my dad since I was a little kid,” Contreras said.

A nationally recognized horse trainer, Contreras, was 17 years old when a trip to California first led him to Medieval Times.

“I started from the ground up, managing tasks like cleaning stalls and preparing the horses,” Mario shared. “Climbing the ranks was challenging, especially being Latino at that time, but I persevered.”

By 1997 he was in Chicago making Schaumburg’s Medieval Times show his own.

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For nearly three decades, Contreras has been the one in charge of preparing horses and the knights.

“He’s not afraid to push our limits and really make sure that our foundation is going to be super strong,” Peter Bonner said.

With a stable of 25 horses, and a dozen or so knights to train, the work is hard but rewarding.

He described the training process: “To acclimate the horses to the chaotic environment, we train them over several months. Some horses adapt in three to four months, while others may take a year before they are ready for even the simplest scene.”

Developing a strong bond between the horses and their knights is key.

“You have to be so assertive to transmit that to the horse so they can. If they trust you, they will do, they will go through fire,” he said.

The horses’ needs are catered to 24/7, spending as much time as possible outdoors.

In the end, when the lights turn on and the show begins, Contreras knows all the hard work was worth it.

“The greatest lesson my parents imparted was how to earn a living alongside animals,” Mario reflected. “Even today, it doesn’t feel like work. I thoroughly enjoy my job. Horses are my passion and will be forever.”