Portugal's best lusitano stock on show in Cascais

The 18th International Festival for the Pure bred Lusitano Horse was held this weekend at the Manuel Possolo Hippodrome in Cascais and proved the strength of the lusitano breed and its vital importance to the country's economy.

The Lusitano Festival's programme in Cascais included morphology classes for yearlings, two- and three-year-old horses separated into gender categories, broodmares and stallions in-hand, age-group classes in dressage and Working Equitation.

Working Equitation:

As the name implies, the recent addition of this fascinating discipline to the international stage pays tribute to those horses employed to perform a working role in everyday agricultural life. Obedience (dressage), versatility (obstacle course) and speed (another, different obstacle course) are the three mandatory tests demonstrated in competition, although a fourth category, working cows, is included as an option when location and facilities allow.

The most stunning display of the day at the highest level came from reigning World, European and National Champion in Working Equitation, Pedro Valente Torres, who naturally performed his entire test one handed and in perfect harmony with the stunning gray stallion, Oxidado. It wasn't a flawless demonstration, however, as they dislodged one rail during the lateral walk and dropped a ring from the lance, but it was sufficient to retain first place going into the final speed phase.

Oxidado, from the Xaquiro bloodline, was bred by João Pedro Rodrigues. Pedro Torres was followed by Portugal's nº3, 4 and 5 ranked Working Equitation riders, David Duarte Oliveira, André Pica da Conceição and Eduardo Almeida, respectively riding Mulato, Nohio and Olé. These four hold the top places in the order in which they are mentioned above.

Results (17.06.06)

OVERALL CHAMPION

ÚNICA (Ofensor X Jaleca X Trinco) – Gold Medal
Breeder & Proprietor: SOCIEDADE DAS SILVEIRAS

CHAMPION HORSE (Gold Medal)

RAJÁ (Larápio X Heroína X Distinto)
Breeder: Manuel Assunção Coimbra
Proprietor: Coudelaria Torres Vaz Freire

CHAMPION MARE (Gold Medal)

ÚNICA
Breeder & Proprietor : SOCIEDADE DAS SILVEIRAS

BEST BREEDER
DR. Pedro Ferraz da Costa

BEST BULL FIGHT HORSE 2005 (Trofeu Gaston Santos)
António Maria Brito Paes – NORDESTE (Breeder: Coudelaria Mário Vinhas)

MORFOLOGY AND MOVEMENT –
CLASSE VII – MARES

1º Vexa – Coudelaria Monte Velho – Arq. Diogo Lima Mayer (Silver Medal)
2º Vexada – Coudelaria Monte Velho – Arq. Diogo Lima Mayer (Silver Medal)
3º Valeria – Sociedade Qta. das Terras – O Criador (Silver Medal)
4º Vima – José Manuel de Mello – Dr. Frederico B. Anjos

CLASSE II – 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES

1º Zimbro – Coudelaria Torres Vaz Freire (Gold)
2º Zuelio – Coudelaria Vila Viçosa – Dra. Michaela Kleba (Silver)
3º Zipo – Sociedade Quinta Terras – (Silver)

VII WORKING EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIP – SENIORS

1º Pedro Torres – Oxidado
2º David Duarte Oliveira – Mulato
3º André Conceição – Nohio
4º Eduardo Almeida – Olé
5º Pedro Neves – Odalisca
6º Hugo Vicente – Olimpo
7º João Alves – Novilheiro
8º Nelson Nicolau Ferreira – Manioso
9º Luis Caetano de Sousa – Raio
10º José Jacinto- Sem-Fim
11º João Alves – Sucessor

PORTUGUESE EQUITATION CLASS – Level A
1º Cesar Marques – Sonante
2º Nuno Baptista – Nervo

DRESSAGE – P2
1º Francisco Cancela de Abreu – Vima
2º Leonor Ramalho – Vento

FEI DRESSAGE – QUALIFYER
1ºMiguel Ralão Duarte – Talisco
2ºLuis Azeitona – Taxativo
3ºLeonor Ramalho – Tejo