She comes from the Pages circus performing dynasty started off by her family in Cuba and brought to the United States in the 1960’s. Vicenta’s extended family is all involved in the circus. Since the age of 4 she started performing alongside her extended family from grandparents to cousins specializing in aerial stunts like the flying trapeze. Her first solo performance was at 8 years old – a liberty act with four ponies.

“Your Thanksgiving dinners must have been incredible,” I commented after a show as she fed and exercised her tigers in the parking lot of the American Airlines Center where they were housed. “You could have the strong man and a knife thrower all at one table. The closest my family ever has come to that is the bearded lady – my great aunt.”

“It’s just how we lived,” she said. “We all lived on the road, set up and tore down together and trained together. It was my grandfather that taught me how to train tigers.”

As a kid she would sneak baby tigers in her bed to cuddle with at night. At 16, Ringling folks came around hoping to sign Vicenta up. Not yet. Four years later she felt the timing was right and joined last October.

“I miss my family and our circus but this was a great opportunity to go out on my own. I still call my family every night after each show to let them know how it went.”

Incredible would be a way to describe it. Seeing these tigers up close and personal – they’re gi-nourmous and their fangs – huge. That she can train one is phenomenal but six?

I see a trainer nearby who is following the elephants to their baths. He carries a giant shovel to scoop up any doo-doo they drop along the way.

“I’d rather have his job than yours,” I said. “Aren’t you ever scared or had any close calls?”

“Never,” she said. “I know my tigers and know how to read them and when to quit pushing them. There is danger. And yes, they know if you’re nervous. You just can’t ever show it.”

Gulp. I quit making eye contact with one of the tigers named, “Taurus” since there’s no disguising my fear.

Vicenta keeps the act challenging by having her tigers master new tricks. She also wants to add more tigers to her act.

She looks forward to getting some time off to spend with her family back home in Florida. For now, home is a travel trailer with her dog, Hercules at her side.

Gorgeous, with flowing light brown hair and flawless skin, Vicenta could easily be a member of the Pussycat Dolls.

“So you’re busy traveling. Can you date and find love on the road?” I asked.

Her face turns red,

I find out she’s dating one of the trick horse riders in the circus. He’s the one with the Fabio type mane that jumps his horse over the fire. They noticed each other in the food car that feeds the performers on the circus train.

“So you can find a special someone even in the circus?” I asked.

“That person could be right in front of you,” she said with a smile. “You just have to be looking.”

As she travels around the country, this tiger trainer has no plans of leaving the Big Top.

“I’ll always be involved in the circus in some way,” Vicenta said. “I couldn’t imagine ever doing anything else. I'm living my dream.”