Training Lessons

Today's lesson plan - the Garden Wall. Zeya is learning to sit on top and Zuri to be the base. The "seasoned" performers ( Zola and Zina, respectively ) provide good study companions.

Holder's Tigers
Kelly Miller Circus 2013

Skidway Lake MI

Holder's Tigers
Kelly Miller Circus 2013

Au Gres MI

While setting up the performance arena in the tent, Elisa took a great shot sequence of Zina and Zahara grooming each other. The social interaction between each cats is incredibly interesting to watch - how each relate and react to one another.

Holder's Tigers
Kelly Miller Circus 2013

In the News

Traveling trainer looks at animals as 'my livelihood'
Circus life has man on road most of year

By Amanda Whitesell
Daily Press & Argus
Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Ryan Holder’s tigers can jump over each other, walk on their hind legs and eat right out of his hand.

But what is the tiger trainer’s favorite aspect of working with the animals at Kelly Miller Circus, which on Tuesday visited Putnam Township?

“Letting tigers be tigers,” he said.

The 25-year-old travels nine months out of the year with the circus, performing two shows per day, seven days per week.

“We travel for maybe an hour in the morning, and they’re all set up and sitting on the grass by 8 in the morning,” he said, motioning toward the four tigers, lazily lounging in a cage stationed outside his pickup truck and trailer. “The rest of the day is theirs until showtime.”

Holder grew up the son of an elephant trainer, and began shoveling their barns at age 4.

“I rode my first bull elephant when I was 10 days old,” he said. “It’s in my blood.”

The St. Louis native said he’s always wanted to work with wild animals, and each of his tigers has a unique personality, ranging from “incredibly smart” to “lazy.”

Each tiger has a public name and a given name, to prevent names from losing their significance for training purposes, he said. The given name of his youngest tiger, Zera, is dedicated to his grandmother.

Holder doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that the day a “light bulb” went off in the tiger’s head regarding training was the same day his grandmother came out of the hospital after having a stroke.

The trainer said he’s offended by organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which he said “spews propaganda.” The circus — including interactions between trainers and animals — is regularly inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which shows up unannounced, he said.
Taking care

“These animals are my livelihood,” he said. “It wouldn’t benefit me at all to not take care of them.”

For more information about Holder’s tiger act, visit http://www.showmetigers.com.

Exotic animals attract the attention of youth at the Kelly Miller Circus in Putnam Township.
ALAN WARD/DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Read more: http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20130814/NEWS01/308140013/Traveling-trainer-looks-animals-my-livelihood-

Birch Run MI

A photo from Redford, Michigan, taken by Valerie Berta Torales and posted on her blog The Mudshow Diaries. The circus goes on, rain or shine. Pictured from Valerie's window is the new performance arena and pedestals.

Holder's Tigers
Kelly Miller Circus 2013

Holly MI

Zuri was full of energy this morning. We have been enjoying cooler weather the last week in Michigan and the tigers have been taking advantage. Zuri spent several hours running around, flipping, jumping over and crawling under their tubs. It was a lot of fun to watch her never-ending enthusiasm.

Holder's Tigers
Kelly Miller Circus 2013

FAQ - Tiger Names

Frequently Asked Questions
Tiger Names

What are the names of the tigers? This is a commonly asked question when the public views Holder's Tigers in their outdoor compound or in the performance arena prior to showtime. Our animals have both "public" names and "given" names, the latter used for training purposes. With thousands of visitors weekly, shouting out to the animals with their "given" names can be distracting, amount to teasing and take away from the importance of this moniker. Therefore, the animals' "public" names are shared, allowing visitors to identify the tigers and make personal connections with them. Meanwhile, the significance of each animal's identification remains intact for training and husbandry procedures.

Zeya, Zuri, Zera, Zola, Zina & Zahara
Kelly Miller Circus
Holder's Tigers 2013

Pinckney MI

Holder's Tigers
Kelly Miller Circus 2013

Redford MI

Coyotes aren't the only wiley ones ! One of the tigers pulled the pool across the outdoor compound, effectively making themselves a step. We always joke when the tubs are flipped over like this, it's because they are hiding their tunnel and digging tools underneath.

Kelly Miller Circus
Holder's Tigers 2013

New Hudson MI

Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Holder's Tigers

Wayne MI

Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Holder's Tigers

Sylvania OH

My girls enjoying a beautiful day in Sylvania. This photo says everything without saying anything. All the tigers sleeping together, grooming each other - relaxed to say the least. We had a terrific turnout this morning for paw painting and educated a lot of folks about the hazards these animals would face in the wild and the comforts of the lives they live here.

Today is our last day in Ohio. We head into Michigan tomorrow.

Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Holder's Tigers

Point Place OH

Kelly Miller Circus 2013

Kelley's Island OH

Holder's Tigers enjoyed a fantastic visit to Kelley's Island early this week. Huge crowds amassed for our arrival, set up and daily activities. For the first time, public sessions of the new Tiger Paw Print paintings were performed. They were a hit.

A lovable tiger

Goofing off during work time.
Tiger tongues are rough !

A large crowd awaiting the first public presentation

A great turnout for the day's morning activities

The art studio

A good scratching for a job well done

Meet the Trainer -
Question & Answer session with autograph signing

What Others Are Saying

-- NOW AVAILABLE --

Tiger Paw Print Impressions
What others are saying

The Kelly Miller Circus! by Holly Outdoor Recreation Coalition and Holly Dickens Festival

This is super exciting! Ryan Holder, the Tiger Trainer & Handler for the Kelly Miller Circus has just offered us a special experience. One of Ryan's tigers is quite an artist and has been creating customized paw "prints" that will be available for purchase. This live art show (based on a few conditions) will take place while the circus is in our town! Check out this link for more information:

http://www.showmetigers.com/p/paw-prints.html

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Northeast Oklahoma Lsu-Alumni

Consider making a donation to Kelly Miller Circus' Holder's Tigers. Donations go towards improving tiger habitat, food, medical treatment, etc. Ryan Easley and staff show their appreciation with one of a kind tiger art work. For those of you not in the circus loop these animals already receive the utmost care and are great ambassadors for their species. To donate and learn more visit:

http://www.showmetigers.com/p/paw-prints.html

As an LSU Tiger alumni these animals also mean a lot to me too!

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Hi Guys,

Your locations have been chosen to witness our Tiger Trainer, Ryan Holder’s 5 year old tiger Zeya, along with Ryan himself, work magic outside the ring. Ryan is now offering one of a kind paw paintings for purchase and everyone present will get to witness the fun as it happens. Original works of art that he and Zeya create. Please feel free to let everyone you know come witness Ryan and Zeya work hand and paw to create masterpieces at 10:00 a.m. at each of your locations. For more information over this please visit www.showmetigers.com/p/paw-prints.html or do not hesitate to contact our office for further details.

Sincerely,
Jill Jones
Home Office Manager
Kelly Miller Circus

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Jan is still excited about our Ryan Holder Paw print. Thanks again Ryan Easley for getting it to us last Dec. We'll be doing another feature for White Tops in Dalton! I have a copy of the last one for you! See you Sat. and Sunday! //Ken Sopelak

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Courtesy of R Easley

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Courtesy of R Easley

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Courtesy of R Easley

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Courtesy of R Easley

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Kelly Miller Circus 2013
Courtesy of R Easley

In the News

Summer Journal: When the Circus Comes to Town, or Anywhere Close, I’m There

By Henry Homeyer
For the Valley News
Tuesday, July 23, 2013

For me, the circus really is about the animals. Yes, I’ve seen elephants in the African veldt from a safe distance. But there is something special about seeing elephants up close while sitting next to a 6-year-old who has never seen a live one. Grandchildren whose eyes become as big and round as doughnuts. And at the Kelly Miller circus, there was the special allure of sleek tigers lounging and yawning and stretching before the show on a grassy lawn inside a metal enclosure, looking for all the world like tabbies, only much, much bigger.

The tiger trainer seemed to love his big kitties. They sat on tall stools and cavorted around the ring. On request, some jumped over their fellow felines (or as faux-delinquents, crawled under them when asked to jump over). They stood up on their back legs, demonstrating how long a tiger really is. They showed their teeth and acted fierce. But when the handler stooped over and kissed one of the tigers on the head after doing a trick nicely, my heart melted. Once again, I wanted to join the circus.

Courtesy of VNews.com

Read more: http://www.vnews.com/home/7692337-95/summer-journal-when-the-circus-comes-to-town-or-anywhere-close-im-there

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Long night yesterday pulling the show off the lot after the torrential downpours. We are grateful for the sun today, hot as it may be.

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Rainy day fun. More protestors this year than ever before. Didn't see any around to take pictures of stuff like this.

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On the Web

Read more: https://www.facebook.com/pages/May-All-Your-Days-Be-Circus-Days//

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After a long jump across New York State we are enjoying a relaxing evening back in Pennsylvania. Great sirloin strips and great company with friends and family. 

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Two day stand on the weekend. Blessed are we. BBQ time.

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Last weekend in Massachusetts !

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Loving the Massachusetts summer

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A few months ago I added a fifth tiger to the leap frog routine - one new behavior for her and one with which she was already trained. Now my newest cat is part of the sequence as well. Training tigers has gotta be one of the coolest jobs ever. Thanks for showing me the path, Casey McCoy Cainan.

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They took her spot

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