Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil recently announced that their two annual auctions, The Lusitano Collection® International Horse Auction and The Interagro Collection National Auction, will be combined this year to provide buyers a single destination to choose from weanlings and yearlings, young horses under saddle, and horses who are more advanced in their training. Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga, Interagro’s partner in past Lusitano Collection® auctions, will be a special guest at the combined auction, and both farms will be offering a selection hand-picked Lusitanos. The combined auctions will take place at Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil on August 25, 2012.
The 2012 Lusitano Collection® International Horse Auction is comprised largely of young horses between four and six years old who have begun their training under saddle. The Interagro Collection National Auction offers weanlings and yearlings, as well as a small group of young horses who have started their under saddle training. One of the exciting features of the National Auction is the unique bidding experience where two weanlings are paired and bid on with a single bid. The winning bidder then gets to select from the two, and the next highest bidder has the choice of the second horse or bidding on another lot. Because both of these auctions were scheduled to be held just eight weeks apart, the decision was made to combine the events to make it easier for international buyers traveling to the auction from other countries. The combined format also offers local buyers a broader selection of horses.
“Interagro is proud to host both auctions, and holding them simultaneously in Brazil will give all of our clients a chance to experience a different facet of Interagro,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos. “Those who have attended our national auction will be able to view horses who are further along in their training, while guests who regularly attend the Lusitano Collection® Auctions will experience a different bidding format and will be able to bid on yearlings as well as adult horses. And any new clients will get an all encompassing taste of Interagro, from viewing the farm and the horses to experiencing both auctions at once!”
Both auctions feature horses that are evaluated from the time they are born until they are presented, and all of the horses who have started their training under saddle include full veterinary exams, are negative for piroplasmosis, and have clean x-rays. Interagro also manages all of the paperwork and exportation procedures to ensure horses purchased at the auction reach their new homes quickly and efficiently. Buyers coming from outside Brazil have an added incentive to bring home a Lusitano, as Interagro will reimburse their plane ticket up to $1,500 USD in the event that they purchase a horse during the auction.
The Interagro horse is a modern Lusitano, a horse that excels in the traditional equestrian disciplines, from dressage and driving to jumping and working equitation. Interagro horses can be seen driving, working, and training on the farm in Brazil everyday. Interagro is committed to preserving the pure bloodlines of the Lusitano breed, and Interagro bloodlines include some of the most respected bloodlines in the breed such as Farao (JHC), Nirvana Interagro, Ofensor (MV), Xique-Xique (CI) and Yacht (SA).
Gonzaga also shared that Interagro is gearing up for the 2013 Lusitano Collection® International Horse Auction, where they plan to offer a selection of horses that have advanced in their training. “Our clients have expressed interest in Lusitanos who have progressed further in their training,” said Gonzaga. “This trend seems to be universal in the sport horse market, so were are preparing a selection of athletic horses with excellent temperaments who are farther along in their training and some who will have had show experience. We have started such a large number of young horses over the years, that our team has a good track record for advancing a horse’s training at just the right pace for that individual. We will never rush a horse. In fact, some horses are inevitably held back from the auction each year to be offered at the next year’s auction when they are farther along in their training. We are excited to bring these horses to auction, and we would like to thank our partner in the Lusitano Collection® auctions, Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga, and all of our sponsors for their support, including Guabi Feed.”