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Alentejo Ranch Holidays now Booking

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Favouring Traditional Methods over Modern Machinery

 

Text by Teresa Burton  Photography by ABR fotografias

Last year we made a visit to the stunning farms  of the Tavares Moreira family, located in the Alentejo close to the Spainish Border.

 

 

Bernardo Tavares Moreira with his wife Rita Torres Moreira and daughter Maria Francisca Torres Moreira.

The farms are called Herdade da Carapuςa and Herdade D´agosto

During our visit we were inspired to work with the family to open up an opportunity for people to have holidays on the farms. To provide a Traditional Portuguese Farm experience learning about the horses and cattle. Sadly like so many heritage activities  many farms have turned away from using the horses to work with the cattle in favour of tractors and quads which they think are quicker and cheaper.  However there are those that would disagree with this and highly value the more traditional methods. One of these people is Bernardo Tavares Moreira.

Bernardo Tavares Moreira

Since a very young age Bernardo has always been passionate about the traditional methods and rural life.  Growing up in Lisbon he dreamed to be on the farm. A dream that never left him until finally he moved to the Alentejo to spend his days working with the cattle and the Lusitano Horses they bred. He continues to this day working the farm in the traditional way.  Although of course, from time to tme he uses tractors and quads, almost always he aims to be managing the farm from the back of a lusitano. 

Alentejana Cattle

The family are breeding pure bred Alentejana cattle. This is a Portuguese breed, also known as Transtagan.  The breed orginates from the Alentejo region and was used for agricultural work. They are quite similar to the Spanish Retinta Breed.

These gentle animals are a medium build with a golden red colour.  The horns are large and pointed forward with upturned tips. The hind legs very muscular and strong and the shoulders long and broad.  They are considered rustic, energetic animals and they really suit the beautiful Alentejo landscape.

For centuries they were the most important working breed in the plains.  However, from the mid 1900´s the mechanisation of agricultural work slowly took over.  So the need for them to work the land deminished and they became used primarly for meat. The flavor of the meat is intense and it is very tender. However they didn´t produce enough meat so crossing them with other breeds such as Charolias and Limozines is done yielding more meat on each animal.  With this change the pure genetics of the breed started to become comprised.

Because of this the studbook of the Alentejana was established in 1970.  Breeders of this wonderful native breed began to work to limit genetic regression. National and community programmes set up to promote conversation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources.

Alenetejana Bull

Bernardo and his family continue this in their breeding programmes.  They have 3 cattle herds on the farms.  They don´t sell pure bred Alentejana cattle simply select the females to different herds according to their quality and genetics. The highest quality retained to breed pure bred cattle and the others crossed bred with Limousin and Charolias bulls for meat cattle.  The cows and bulls are simply stunning.

The cattle are able to graze in expansive pasture lands of rolling hills dotted with cork oaks trees providing plenty of shade in the hot summers. It makes for quite a sight to visit these beautiful herds.

Landscape of rolling hills and cork oak trees

The Farm´s Lusitano Horses

The Lusitanos mares

The stud farm has a small herd of quality Lusitano mares with old bloodlines suitable for bull fighting, working equitation and nowadays dressage.  The horse have a lot of Veiga influence and recently with a dressage focus while maintaining the Baroque the mares have been put to the Olympic/GP stallion Forgoso. The horses are selected and some sold Internationally and the others retained on the farm.

The stud name is – Manuel Francisco de Moura Tavares Herdeiros  (Manuel Tavares Herdeiros)

Bernardo and Rita

Bernardo breeds and trains all his horses which are a mix or pure bred Lusitanos and Luso/Arabs. Favouring the Vaqueira / Garrochista style and he has adopted many of the techniques.

Particularly the use the Garrocha that is now seen in part of the working equitation competition.

The working horses are all highly trained and have many advanced exercises that they need to quickly react and manuveur during work.  Exercises such as canter pirouettes, lateral movements, canter changes are all required in the work.

His work is very skilled and simpatic and it includes everything from simply moving cattle from one pasture to another to separating animals for vacinations etc.  From horse back it is much less stressful for the cattle, they comply easily because they totally accept the horses as their managers .

There is a special bond between the Lusitanos and the cattle.

 

The Family

This is all made all the more special as the whole family are in someway involved. Everyone brings so much creativity to the table. Bernardo´s wife Rita Torres Moreira is a nutritionist and on weekends she joins Bernardo along with their son and daughter to ride the horses and help with the cattle. Rita and their daughter Francisca are so skilled on their Lusitanos I really enjoyed watching them effortlessly manoeuvre the cows into pens for vacninating. carefully parting the calves so they didn´t get injured and minimising any stress in the process.

Rita´s brother is Rodrigo Torres one of Portugal most outstanding Olympic Riders.

Rita Torres Moreira

Maria Francisca Torres Moreira

Ana Tavares Moreira the owner of Carapura Farm has converted the old hay and animal barns into the most fabulous accomodations – stylish, creative, well appointed and peaceful.  Surrounded by extreaordinary views in all directions you cannot help but love staying there.

Maria Claudia Sampaio Soares – Bernardo´s Aunt is a gifted potter. She has a pottery locally and provides classes for those interested to try it out.  You can also order things to be made.  We are have several items made by Claudia.  Claudia owns Herdade Dagosto and breeds Lusitanos.

Cláudia Sampaio Soares

THE OPPORTUNITY

 

We are so happy that now we can offer you the chance to stay on these farm and learn with Bernardo a little about his life, how the horses are trained and worked with the cattle. It is available to up to 4 people per week.  We only offer to small groups per week to ensure you have plenty of opportunity for individual tuition and an immersive experience.

Bernardo will provide all the training during your stay and his gentle confident manner will guide you through a remarkable experince of the working horses and all they need to do their job effortlessly.

FIND OUT MORE

 

Bernardo and Francisca

Rita with the cattle

INTERESTED IN HAVING A HOLIDAY ? 

WANT TO KNOW MORE ?

 

 

Where Horses Coach Humans

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Lusitanos Make Great Coaches

 

A refuge for all the senses – this is the margravial hunting lodge Falkenhaus. Built in 1722, this elegant building is affectionately known as “the Falcon Hood”.  With its recent renovation, the owners Eva and Randolph Klautke have created one of the most beautiful retreats offering well-being for people and animals.

The lodge is located near the Wagner town of Bayreuth on the edge of the Fichtelgebirge.

Creating a symbiosis between the charm of the old castle and the hip boutique character was important to the Klautke family during their conversion.

Accordingly, the palace hall, bar, library and salon were largely left in their original condition and upgraded with modern interior highlights. For the noble four-legged friends, a stable wing was built in the old barn and a riding hall and riding arena were built in the castle garden.

The fantastic ambience of Schloss Falkenhaus is now offering stunning events-

  • Special seminar formats such as horse-assisted coaching – a method in which the horses act as coaches.
  • Welling Being Weekends
  • Coroporate Marketing and Promotional events
  • Weddings

In addition to Shetland pony Harald and Trakehner mare Lilly, the coach team also consists of Lusitano gelding Elmo and the Lusitano stallions Merengue and Egipcio. The latest arrivals are two Lusitano fillies Ofelia and Pirilampo, whom joined the team in 2022.

Horse-Assisted Coaching

 

In horse-assisted coaching, the horses are the mirror to the human participants. They can highlight and reveal discrepancies such as team conflicts. They reflect our energies and in turn this helps teams to explore relationship topics. This interaction provides a wonderful platform to find ways to resolve old patterns of thought and action. The horses do not need any special training for this coaching, however it is important that the animals have balance and mental strength.  We carefully select horses to suit and enjoy this work.

 

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” – Sir Winston Churchill

These experiences can really open people up to new self awareness and communication possibilities in a fun and calm environment.

 

Eva Klautke: “In our view, their sensitivity, curiosity and people-orientation predestines the Lusitanos for this task as assistant trainers in our seminar formats. We are very pleased that in Teresa Burton and her online platform “Lusitanohorsefinder.com.” We have a partner at our side who also has a great feel for the individual characters when it comes to brokering and selecting the horses.”

 

Programmes for Companies and Individuals

In addition to the academy formats for companies such as horse-assisted coaching.  Schloss Falkenhaus also offer the private “wellness” programs, such as yoga retreats and other related short breaks. Here, too, the four-legged mental trainers are usually involved.

“Horses teach us to be present, aware, and connected not only with them, but with ourselves and our environment.” – Lisa Wysocki

 

 

Interested you can contact them via their website http://www.schloss-Falkenhaus.de/

Facebook. 

You can also email Eva

 

 

We Love all Things Heritage, Classic, Timeless Style

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Cool, classic & not afraid of statement elegance

By Teresa Burton

Aisling Equestrian Clothing is an exciting Stockholm brand inspired into reality by a dynamic duo Charlotte Treschow and Johanna Bodin.  These two creative women were looking to bring vintage style into modern equestrian clothing and seeing their latest collection they really are hitting the mark.

 

Fashion has always been of enormous interest for the duo. Both find inspiration from classic style icons like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly as well as current fashion trends and from men’s fashion.

 

The company began in under 10 years ago with the intention not to compromise the function that you need in riding wear nor the style that you have outside the stable,” In others words clothing you could be seen out wearing in a city coffee shop and not look out of place. 

Rethinking Equestrian Fashion

Timeless silhouettes made in high technology fabrics: we create modern equestrian fashion with focus on details and quality. Make it count and join us! 

AISLING´S STATEMENT

 

In May ths year it was a real pleasure to host Lena Saugen and Therese Alhaug, who came over from Norway with a mission to photograph the latest collection from this quality brand. What´s more, everything was made even better by Aisling Equestrian choosing the up and coming International Grand Prix Dressage Rider Rita Ralao be their model and to sponsor her.

 

Rita Ralão – GP Dressage rider living and working in her family business Ralão Dressage Team. Located close to Cascais in Portugal

 

 

I am always ready to promote great projects, riders, horses and brands and this was every bit what we hoped it would be.

 

 

Rita made a perfect model and all the contributors to the day were spectacular. I sincerely hope we will be able to host further shoots in the future. Above all, it is great for Portuguese Equestrian Life and the highly talented riders now competing on the International Stage.

 

 

 

For more about the beautiful styles from Aisling Equestrian check out their website.  The garments are high quality in fabrics, finishes and style – above all you will not be dissappointed.

Images by Lena Saugen Photography

Editor/Writer Teresa Burton Lusitano Heriatge

Thank you to Daniela and Raquel Costa and the lovely Palomino Lusitano Limao.  Nuno Cavaco´s logistics support.  Therese Alhaug for video clips and styling.

Ralao Dressage – Facebook

Alexa Shirt in Lilac

Kate knee patch breeches

 

 

Laura Gosch – One to Watch!

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Beautiful, Talented & Determined – Laura Gosch

Recently we had the wonderful opportunity to be present at the opening of Goncalo and Nara´s new equestrian facility. It was a busy but beautiful day in so many ways.

Working alongside them is Laura Gosch, a talented and focussed woman who has boldy gone in the direction of her passion for all things equine.

As a former International model we were very fortunate that Laura generously agreed to pose for us on the day in the extraodinary equestrian clothing collection designed by Silvia Teixeira. Bringing her combined model expertise and undesputible riding skills Laura inspired us a lot.

Laura rides beautifully and is definitely a lady to watch for the future as a great trainer and teacher.

Curious, I asked Laura for her story,  which she very eloquently wrote for me.  It takes us right from how she discovered horses all the way up to this moment. It´s a lovely read that I am sure many of you can identify with – so here you go

All about Laura …………

 

I’m from Vienna, smack in the centre of town. The tourist carriage horses at the cathedral were the only horses in sight, growing up. As a young man my father had spent a couple of years as an “Elève” at the Spanish Royal Riding School, but neither of my parents had anything to do with horses by the time they had me.

A friend of my mom’s had told her that she took her daughter horse riding because she thought it was an advantage, especially for girls, to learn to handle such big animals and and themselves around them. That seemed logical to my Mom and so I had my first lesson. I think I even remember it. Mom says I was glowing – I remember that I was almost drooling with joy. From then on it was the pony on the top of every Christmas list, endlessly trying to persuade my grandparents that their apartment was big enough for a horse. Lungeing my girlfriends over obstacles on their imaginary ponies and, in my mind, every walk in nature was actually a hack .

I’m very grateful that I discovered such a love, a passion for something as a child. The joy was so intense, it warms my heart to remember those little moments and it’s pure fuel for me until today.

Over the next years, my champion parents continued taking me for riding lessons. When I was about 13 or 14, I began taking the train every Saturday after school, with my overnight bag packed, to help at an Arabian horse farm about 1 1/2 hours outside of Vienna. They allowed me to start my first filly there, at which I did a very poor job but this is where I actually began really learning.

Besides school, at 17 yrs old I was fortunate to be professionally modelling. I used the money I earnt to turn my dream into a reality. Mom became my accomplice and the two of us set out on an unforgettable trip around Europe, the adventure culminated in finding my Arabian filly. Chestnut, with a beautiful long neck and flaxen manes, just like I knew her from my dreams. That filly became a part of our family, she kept us both safe through all the silly things I put her through. She traveled half of Europe with me and finally to Mallorca where she currently resides at 22 years of age until I can have her with me again. Buying my first horse was one of the most important things I did in my life. Learning I am capable of taking what seemed “impossible” and turn it into reality. A powerful lesson and I think it has become an important part of me.

After finishing school I moved to Paris and started modelling full time. Up to 2015 I lived and worked in many different cities. I was ambitious, young and thought I needed to rule the world or, at least, be a rockstar. The modelling was alluring in more than one way. Whenever I got too lonely, sad or intimidated I came back to the horses.

With my best friend, we started an Arabian show horse training barn. I learned so much about handling young horses. I also spent some time learning on the ranch of Linda and Pat Parelli – one of the happiest times of my life – they were pioneers in horse & people education.

Fast forward to 2015 – I was living in LA at that time and loved the city. Working with great people, things were going well. Yet I wasn’t fulfilled with my job my passion was elsewhere. One day, while having lunch with a friend, the subject turned to horses. He waited until I had finished my ode and said,

“You completely change when you talk about horses, I think this is what you should be doing”.

A few days later, my best friend was extremely clear about this too.

It was time and I was ready to really hear it. I worked up the courage to consider the possibility of living my dream full time with horses.

I had my mare at german classical trainer Anja Beran at the time and I think that’s where the idea of the Lusitano was born.

Curious to learn more about the breed I took an amazing trip around Portugal to visit the breeders, I was totally inspired.  I bought two three year old colts from Mr. Manuel Veiga, still with the idea of returning to LA and eventually selling one of them. However in the end I decided to move back to Belgium to keep them both.

In November 2015 I shot my last editorial, with an amazing crew for Harper’s Bazaar. It was a breathtaking trip around Jordan. A fabulous exit from the model´s life.

Then the journey began with my two colts. Getting to know them in Belgium, then with Parelli instructor and all-round horseman Walter Gegenschatz in Switzerland, back in Belgium with a Master instructor of the École de Légèreté and later in France with Mr. Philippe Karl himself and his wife Bea Borelle. After that the three of us joined my partner Sergio Santos in Mallorca for 3 years, where I started teaching and training an amazing group of clients that became friends. Although I learned immensly while teaching and training, I was missing getting training myself – and my two darling Veigas were always happy to point that out to me.

I remembered Gonçalo Linhas exceptional riding from my horse “shopping trip” and my inquiries about him got a unanimously positive response – a rare occurrence. I brought him my best horse to get a foot in the door, and as soon as it was possible, almost a year ago, I attacked lovely Dr. Nara França and Gonçalo with the rest of our gang (Historico da Broa, our cremello stallion, Jarama and Sérgio’s Silveiras stallion, Habil). We, have been living in their barn ever since, located in the pulsating metropole that is Vila Chã de Ourique.

I’m still trying to find my place in this horse world but here I’m learning at top speed. I want to continue developing horses with the support of an experienced (not to call him senior, he wouldn’t like that) trainer like Gonçalo. I believe that being around horses, in the right conditions, can be so good for people. Whatever I do, be it in the arena or by selling horses, on the social media or by writing these few lines, I hope to help make the equestrian community grow by introducing more people to horses and supporting my fellow equestrians.

These animals are a little bit magic. You can rely on them to keep you humble, toughen you up and sometimes, if you put in the work, they will dance with you for a short while and make you so happy that you forget yourself.

Forward by Teresa Burton Lusitano Heritage

Text by Laura Gosch She can be found on facebook and Intagram

Clothing – Designed by Silvia Teixeira – Garments available to order in our online shop

Images by Lena Saugen Photography

Location –  Quinta do Palhão

Thank you to Goncalo Linhas and Nara Franca

 

 

 

 

Traditional Portuguese Farm Holidays

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Looking for a taste of

Rural Portuguese Equestrian Heritage –

 

We are Forming a Partnership with a Beautiful Alentejo Farm to bring you the opportunity to soak up the day to day atmosphere of a working cattle farm and Lusitano stud.

This is a special chance to be on the family farm. The entire family have a multiple of amazing traditional talents and creative skills they are warmly open to share with you.

The holidays will be packed with experiences that bring you closer to rural life on the cattle farm in the Alentejo Region. It is designed to give you an authentic experience of rural life and culture from working with the horses, cows, the wildlife, exploring the land and enjoying the beautiful landspace.

     

     

    • You will stay in the farm estate with a manor house over 200 years old
    • Eat local cuisine and home cooking
      You can even try local arts such as pottery
    • Learn how to work the cattle from the backs of Lusitanos
    • Gain new country skills, use a garrocha, and try authentic working equitation obstacles
      Become aquianted with Lusitano breeding programmes
    • Country full day rides to neighbouring farm

    REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO KNOW MORE AND RECEIVE PACKAGE AND PRICE DETAILS

     

    Situated close to the Spanish border the property has some of the most spectacular views, wildlife with expansive sun rises and sun sets.  

     

    REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO KNOW MORE AND RECEIVE PACKAGE AND PRICE DETAILS

    Related articles – Portugal´s Campinos – The Roots of Working Equitation

    Artictle extract – The Campinos are Portugal’s cowboys. To this day, they work the cattle on the backs of Lusitanos, using the traditional methods and skills passed down from their fathers and grandfathers. Their work remains valuable to many large cattle farms in Portugal—especially in the Ribatejo and Alentejo regions.

    All about Working Equitation

    Working Equitation first started as a competitive sport in 1996. The first European Championships took place the same year, in Italy. WE is now a recognized sport in two continents, Europe and South America, in the following countries – France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Brazil, with a considerable amount of competitors and spectators in each country. WE has its own governing body in each Country.

     

    The holiday packages and prices will be available shortly please register your interest with us now and we will send out the packages to you as soon as possible.

    REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO KNOW MORE AND RECEIVE PACKAGE AND PRICE DETAILS

    Working Equitation WAWE

    We look forward to meeting you on the future holidays.

    Images by Lena Saugen Photography

    Video credit to Equilife World

     

    Party Piaffe – Celebrating in Portugal

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    Party Piaffe –

    Birthday Celebrations with the Ultimate Equestrian style

    On a starlight velvet night, we fall silent as through the gates charge proud stallions ridden by elegant riders fire torches in their right hands. It is quite a sight as they spill into the arena forming a cantering circle in front of us, you can feel the heat from the torches and the heavy beat of the mu- sic pulsates through our bodies, people shiver with anticipation – the working equitation fire show begins. A thrilling display made even more so by the closeness and knowledge it was just for us.

    It’s part of the entertainment at Danish Business man Niels Zibrandtsens 60th birthday party. He is a man that knows how to have fun and celebrate in style, his weekend party was no exception action packed and largely featured equine entertainment combined with Portuguese Culture.

    So what prompted a businessman to celebrate his 60th in another country enjoying their culture and traditions?

     

    Horses Making Media Waves

    We are increasingly seeing horses become more and more part of our lifestyle. It’s not a new phenomenon certainly looking back through the centuries the horse has played vital roles supporting us in our day to day requirements. Not only providing our transport, farm help, even our partners on the battle field but as a major part in our ceremonies. In modern times, with so much available to us the status they claimed had been a little lost they became our friends in sport and leisure riding and less in our events. 

    Now all has turned full circle once again horses are everywhere. In advertising, marketing, fashion shoots, dramatic artwork on our walls and seen almost as a stylish lifestyle ‘must have’ in some form or another. Certainly in our business we are receiving many requests for combined events and weddings in which equines play an important part of the day.

    The Dream

    Niels’s is the chairman of Global Connect which he started 18 years ago and he is also the CEO of Zimbra Digital Media Group with offices in Denmark and Germany. Just a few years ago he and his wife Lisbeth took a trip to Portugal to have classical dressage lessons on Lusitanos. They were so captivated by their experience they bought a farm with the intention to develop a business in eco tourism.The initial plan is well underway with Quinta da Varzea taking a fabulous development under the watchful eye of their equestrian manager Nadja Maria who is also Danish. 

    Niels decided he could not think of anything better than to show his family and friends their project and give everyone an authentic experience of Portuguese equestrian culture. So one sunny day we met him and Lisbeth to make a 3 day party plan. After a mountain of organising and more emails than you can imagine we found ourselves early one Thursday morning greeting 80 guests through the arrival gates at Lisbon airport. They were clutching just a party invitation and a whole host of clothes ready for anything! They clearly knew Niels well.

    The three day extravaganza took them on a journey of traditional restaurants, Portuguese wines, music, history, manor houses and of course the Lusitano horses and horsemen.

     

    BIG DAY

    On the actual party day guests spent the morning discovering the historic, wonderful old town of Santarem finishing up with a light lunch at Ponte de Sol – a restaurant with an expansive view of the surrounding lands. Then back to the hotel to change, hop on the coaches transporting them to Quinta da Varzea to begin the party in ernest. 

    Greeted by waiters serving champagne and canapés they enjoyed the afternoon taking tours around the farm on tractor and trailer and 4 by 4’s they were shown the farms agricultural projects, the mares and foals and soaked up timeless Ribatejo landscape with it cork oak trees, fruits trees, meadows and wildlife.

    The equine entertainment was without a doubt a major ‘WOW’ factor.

    How could it not be with the stylish pair of grey Lusitanos and handsome driver in the beautiful carriage to give them rides around the farm

    A ‘Private’ show from one of the four most famous classical equestrian schools in the world

    The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. Guests lined the arena as the riders in wine velvet coats and ribbon branded bay Alter horses filled their glaze with a pas de deux, caprioles, levade, pirouettes and a stunning carousel. The elegance and grandeur of the school not lost being performed away from their home in Belem (Lisbon). The show was 45 minutes and more or less matched the weekly show they perform in Lisbon.

    Afterwards dinner was served in a beautiful open sided marquee over looking the old house and gardens. It was a Portuguese style barbecue interspersed with Danish style speeches and toasts. At dessert the Fado singers arrived to perform their laments of love, Lisbon, the sea and life of the poor. It’s a mournful sound with a sense of longing that cannot help but touch the soul but this handsome Fado group have a lightness to their songs and they perform them with real showmen style they were accompanied with guitars – everyone’s captivated. Even the riders on their horses waiting to perform the working equitation show join us to form a respectful line along the front of the marquee creating quite an atmosphere, cameras and mobiles were frantic. 

    Immediately after the singing came to a close the guests were invited to follow the riders to the picadeiro where they perform their show culminating in the fire performance.

    It was an energising spectacle that sets everyone perfectly in the mood to dance the night away to a talented Danish Band, flown over especially to entertain them.

     

    The Day After

    To our amazement after retiring to bed in the very early hours guests wasted no time in being up and ready for the next round of activities. The day planned was as action packed with museum and mini zoo visits, wine tasting at a manor house and Lusitano stud farm called Quinta da Lagoa. Guests were treated to a performance by a traditional Ribatejo group of singers and dancers. The group arrived as booked to perform at lunchtime we were expecting about 8-10 so were delighted and astonished when 30 adults and children tumbled out of the cars. They proceeded to give a charming, fun show even managing to encourage Niels and some guests to join in the dancing. 

    Everyone returned to Denmark feeling satisfied with a special and fun experience – few days they certainly will never forget. I think everyone one of us loves to know that some of the World’s tradi- tions are still very much alive and still giving us all so much pleasure. There is no doubt at all that we are set to see more and more equestrian entertainments in our events. Our equine partners bring that extra special something into our lives in so many ways, long may they enthral us and put that little skip in our hearts after all two hearts are better than one.

    My thanks to Niels and Lisbeth for allowing me to give a glimpse into their fabulous weekend at Quinta da Varzea.  To find out more about holding a Party celebration or having your wedding in Portugal contact us

    Learn more about the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art

    Article – Understanding Working Equitation

    Looking to buy a Lusitano for classical dressage or working equitation we always have a selection of Lusitanos available for sale

    Tourist Board – Visit Portugal

    Rodrigo Moura Torres & Lusitano stallion Fogoso

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     Rodrigo on Fogoso

    Rodrigo Moura Torres has been riding all his life on his family farm in the Alentejo.  He began his riding career working the farm cattle and competing in working equitation. This took him to performing shows at equestrian events even riding without reins. A short search on YouTube and you will find wonderful videos of Rodrigo riding one time change with a garrocha in one hand and a hat in the other.

     

    I was amused to notice on the wall in their viewing gallery there is a poster of Rodrigo performing in 2003 at a show in Hickstead,UK  without reins! In 2019 he was photographed again at Hickstead winning the Nation’s Cup – with reins this time!

     

     

     

     

     

    Rodrigo told me that one of his early masters was Mestre Joao Lopes Aleixo the most important tips he learnt from him was the importance of the seat to have balance and control to give impulsion from behind. Create harmony with invisible aids,  still today he is working on this.

    Their beautiful farm has been in the family for over 200 years. In 1978 Marcos Torres Vaz Freire and his son Carlos founded the stud – Coudelaria Torres Vaz Freire.

    Starting the Stud Farm

    They began with horses from Rio Frio and João Moura’s brand with two key foundation mares – a mother and daughter Garça and Negaça. Today if you trace all their horses you will see they all come from these mares. The first horses were bred for bull fighting and then working equitation but in last 10 years they turned their eye to producing dressage horses. The Farm currently has 45 mares and about 20 breeding every year.  They enjoy blissful lives out in large fields dotted with cork oak trees and gentle hills, there are lakes for water and in spring it is a mass of vibrant colours with a full covering of wild flowers. Very magical especially at the sunrise and sunset.

    Carlos, Rodrigo and Maria out with some of the mares

    Carlos is the backbone of the farm, it is clear how much he loves the horses and is totally dedicated to producing amazing animals. As Rodrigo´s wife Maria told me the whole farm depends on him, he knows everything going on, plans daily and he fixes everything.  Carlos wholeheartedly supports his son Rodrigo´s career, whenever possible he is at the competitions filming the tests. While we were visiting Carlos took us to the fields to see the mares and foals. I couldn’t help a private smile to see how Carlos hugs his horses he clearly loves them very much.

    Currently 69th Place in the FEI World Dressage Rankings

    Fogoso TVF is now the farm’s shinning star.

    At only 10 years old and 172cms he is a very tall Lusitano, his powerful limbs and body demonstrate very well the dressage evolution in their breeding strategy. Approved as a breed stallion, this year he will be sire to 30 or 40 foals many on the farm. A stallion with star quality Fogoso is a horse that loves competitions rising to challenges confidently he has steadily improved taking them to an impressive 69th position in FEI´s world dressage rankings.

     

    A very important part of Rodrigo´s success is the loving family team around him, particularly his wife Maria Amaral and his father Carlos Torres.

    Maria has been a big influence in Rodrigo dressage career, they make a great team.  A successful GP rider in her own right, they ride together and train each other. She told me she admired Fogoso´s star quality right from the moment she saw him as a colt. At that time she was only dating Rodrigo, however it didn’t stop her from persuading him and Carlos to sell her a half ownership in him.

    Fogoso clearly still has this natural star quality and since he is also a breeding stallion he is very proud, when being led without a saddle he thinks it is breeding time so can get really playful.  At the competitions he truly shines loving the limelight.

     

    Rodrigo and Maria have a fantastic supportive relationship that has enabled them to launch into an International level which is very exciting for them and the future of their horses. They are a strategic couple, after every competition they review the test videos assessing each part, the scores to decide where and how they can improve. The aim now is to increase the scores to consistently over 73%.

     

    I sincerely look forward to seeing them progress.  The stud farm is Coudelaria Torre Vaz Freire Monte de Vila Formosa – Chança. Alter do Chão Portugal.

    It is possible to visit and stay right on the farm in their farm holiday cottages.

    Text Teresa Burton Lusitano Horse Finder    Images Bruno Barata

    read about the other qualifiers  Maria Caetano on Coroado,  Joao Torrao on Equador MVL,  Duarte Nogueira on Beirao

    How they qualified

    Keep up to date with the World Dressage Rankings at FEI

     

    Lusitanos -They truly are Modern Horses with Timeless Quality!