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