Former Rider at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art
Interview with Hanna Larsson of Lusitano Portal
Nuno Cavaco is a former rider at the prestigious Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE). Where he worked for 25 years. Today, he is a director in Lusitano Horse Finder and manages a variety of services – he gives clinics internationally, coaching students and competition riders in various riding disciplines and on all breeds of horses. He has horses in training in Quinta da Marinha Cascais Portugal, where he provides a top service personally riding his clients horses he also gives dressage lessons.
Began riding at an early age
I met up with Nuno Cavaco in a quiet café during the annual Golegã fair, where he openly shared his equestrian history with us over a delicious coffee.
Nuno started riding at an early age at Campo Grande in Lisbon, as he explains: “One day I was taken there to see the riders and horses, it was then that I decided all I really wanted was to become a rider. I begged and begged my father until he succumbed and took me to the riding school at Campo Grande. There, my riding career started with my first teacher, a military instructor, who taught me on the lunge. Happily I advanced quickly and was soon riding on my own. My interested never faded, in fact it increased and I began to spend all my spare time in the stable, helping out where ever possible.”
The talented young Nuno reached a stage where he was helping out by riding both private and lesson horses, he even represented the school in dressage and show jumping competitions.
Favours the classical way of riding
It was at Campo Grande that Nuno first came in contact with EPAE, (when the foundation re opened in 1979 they held their early training at Campo Grande}.
Nuno reflected back “I remember that when I started to get to know the riders from EPAE, I was totally fascinated, I watched them training for hours. I learned a lot this way”. I still do love to see other talented riders there is so much one can learn by watching them work. I make a point of visiting classical masters whenever possible.
Classical Dressage
Nuno – “The classical way of riding is the right way for me. Even though I competed as young lad, I was never really comfortable in the competition environment – where everyone is against each other”.
As a young adult Nuno Cavaco began his working career at the Jockey Club where met varies breeders and trainers giving him the opportunity learn and work with them. He helped with the breeding work and he started the young horses for riding.
Nuno continues: “later I began working with Francisco Bessa de Carvalho for maybe two or three years I began to train some of the clients horses and also helped the clients with their riding. I discovered that I really enjoyed giving lessons.
For me, seeing horse and rider progress positively together is something that makes me really happy”.
Riding with Portugal’s top classical dressage riders
Nuno: “The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art was recruiting riders, Francisco Bessa de Carvalho was in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. Although I already was connected with many riders at the school since I was the student of Francisco I became more involved. When an opening became available in the EPAE, Francisco suggested I applied. At this the same time I was also studying to become a veterinarian, which to my father’s great disappointment, I dropped to become a rider at the School. I’ve had so many wonderful years with the School, I rode with and learnt from some of the very best masters, I’ll never forget. Masters such as –
Dr. Guilherme Borba, D. José de Atayde, Dr. Filipe Graciosa, Mestre Luís Valenca and present day’s master chief riders João Pedro Rodrigues and António Borba Monteiro. Not to forget Nuno Palma Santos and Miguel Nuno Ralão.
I was very lucky to travel a lot performing in many classical shows. It was a very proud moment when I was personally invited to join by Mestre Luis Valença – to be one of two riders that represented the EPAE in Appassionata.
Many Special Horses
Naturally I was dying to know about the horses Nuno has ridden so towards the end of the interview I asked him about his own horses. I was quite surprised by his answer:
“There have been many special horses in my life and I am sure there will be more. But to this day I’ve never had a horse of my own. Firstly when I was young despite my pleads my father never agreed to buy me one. Then later on I knew that if I had my own horse I would always want be with that horse and I would have to wait to the end of the day. With my work commitments it would mean my horse would always be the last one, so I never got one.
But now, since I am no longer working at the school, I am, in fact thinking about looking for a horse just for me. I would love to have my own horse, I’m looking forward to it”.
CLASSICAL TRAINING WITH NUNO
Training with Nuno is a fantastic experience and one not to be missed what’s more he is offering classical courses in Portugal to find out more see Holidays and Lessons
YOUR HORSE PERSONALLY TRAINED WITH NUNO
CAVACO
He also takes horses in for training and can train all levels up to all Grand Prix exercises. His work is sensitive and classical, horses develop beautifully without stress. He personally rides your horse and offers a quality service that ensures you are kept informed regularly about how your horse is doing through conversation, video, and photos. Nuno considers training starts in the stable and handling he often grooms the horses himself as he believes this is a vital way to know more about each horse. Find out more.
Each horse in training with Nuno has a private passcode accessed online record that you can visit anytime and see everything about your horse from feeding, shoeing and training.
