SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (WLS) — Anyone who’s been to Schaumburg’s Medieval Times might recognize Mario Contreras as the King’s Master of Horse, but Mario Contreras is not just acting.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

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

As the King’s Master of Horse at Medieval Times, Contreras plays a star role in the show itself, but it’s his work bringing that show to fruition that has gained him accolades.

“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 had to start from scratch: cleaning stalls, getting the horses ready,” he said. “I worked my way into it; and being a Latino, believe me. It was very hard at those times.”

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

ABC7 celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with ‘Our Chicago: El Sueño Americano’

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.

“To start the horse and get him used to like the sound of people screaming in their faces,” he explained. “We desensitize the horses for many months, for some horses that are very easy going, it takes three to four months. Some horses take up to a year just to get him to do the first scene.”

SEE ALSO | Monarch butterfly begins ‘magical’ journey from Chicago to Mexico in time for Dia de Los Muertos

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.

“I think the biggest gift that my mom and my dad gave me was teaching me how to make a living and being with animals,” he said. “Still up to this day. I don’t feel it’s work. I still enjoy what I do. I love what I do. Horses are my passion, and I think that’s going to be until the end.”

SEE ALSO | Reina’s Cakes inspiring Chicagoans one Puerto Rican sweet at a time: ‘Don’t give up’