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Archive for category: Equestrian life in Portugal

You are here: Home1 / Articles2 / Portuguese Equestrian Heritage3 / Equestrian life in Portugal

The Art of Balance

8th November 2022/in Blog, Portuguese Equestrian Heritage, Classical Equitation, Equestrian life in Portugal, Frontpage Article, Interviews - riders, breeders and related people /by Teresa Burton

THE ART OF BALANCE

by Therese Stub Alhaug

One of the happiest faces at the 2022 Tokyo Olympics probably came from the Portuguese dressage rider Rodrigo Moura Torres riding the 11-year-old grey Lusitano stallion Fogoso Campline. The duo were able to deliver their dream performances and 3 personal best scores in the most important sports stage in the world.

 

Text Therese Alhaug Photo Lena Saugen. Made in collaboration with Teresa Burton.

 

If you watched Rodrigo’s Olympic debut, you might remember how he played his way down the final line holding one hand on the reins. His big smile made it look easy and fun, making us curious to know more about this playfully yet technically solid duo. A chat that led us into The Art of Balance.

EQUILIFE and LUSITANO HERITAGE visited the Olympic debutant at his family farm in Alentejo, Portugal, where Rodrigo began his riding career working the farm cattle and competing in working equitation. A different background than most dressage riders. He early performed at equestrian events, including his favourite performance: riding without reins.

“In Tokyo, just before entering the freestyle, I told Rodrigo to have fun in the ring and reminded him that he was fortunate to have four reins to hold this time!” Rodrigo’s wife, Maria Amaral, says, laughing.

Maria has significantly influenced Rodrigo’s dressage career, being a successful Grand Prix rider herself. The two equally guide each other in the dressage arena.

 

“Each horse has its natural balance, some more to the front and others more to the hind legs. This is something they are born with. So when you start training the horses, you have to look for this.”

Rodrigo Moura Torres

 

THE ART OF BALANCE

Rodrigo’s family has bred horses for a long time. They also produced Rodrigo’s Olympic partner, Fogoso.

“I know Fogoso inside out, which helped me a lot when we entered the arena in Tokyo,” Rodrigo says.

One of Rodrigo’s early masters, Mestre Joao Lopes Aleixo, taught him the importance of the seat to have balance and control and to give impulsion from behind; Create harmony with invisible aids. Still today, Rodrigo is working on this.

“When riding 2-3 km outside, moving the horse and the cattle, it requires the horses to be comfortable with me. They need to be straight, in the same rhythm, and very well balanced,” Rodrigo explains. “This is something I have tried to surge since the beginning of my career as a dressage rider.

 

“When riding 2-3 km outside, moving the horse and the cattle, it requires the horses to be comfortable with me. They need to be straight, in the same rhythm, and very well balanced,” Rodrigo explains. “This is something I have tried to surge since the beginning of my career as a dressage rider.”

Rodrigo Moura Torres

Living in the middle of the countryside, Rodrigo’s father and grandfather used horses to move cattle, giving the horses the genetics to deal with pressure. The first horses were bred for bullfighting and then working equitation, but in the last ten years, they turned their eye to producing dressage horses. Rodrigo still uses his knowledge from the fields when working the youngsters.

“As a breeder, I work the horses since they are young. First, I must find the ideal balance for the horse in all gaits and exercises. I pay notice of this in the lunge already. Each horse has its natural balance, some more to the front and others more to the hind legs. This is something they are born with. So when you start training the horses, you have to look for this,” Rodrigo says, pointing out that each horse is different and has its different rhythm.

 

 

“Since Fogoso was four, he could already do everything. I could play with some piaffe and some passage. It was very easy for him because he was very well-balanced. He was already giving me everything, and I just took advantage of these natural things he gave me.”

Rodrigo Moura Torres

FINDING THE NATURAL BALANCE

We visit the farm on a crisp morning in spring. The horses are grassing in the sunrise on large fields dotted with colourful wildflowers and cork oak trees. A scenery that the family takes advantage of when riding out, allowing the horses to stretch and gallop alongside with the cows and horses in the fields.

Rodrigo’s dad, Carlos, has already started grooming the Olympic hero Fogoso, who’s now 12yo, for Rodrigo to ride.

The powerful stallion demonstrates the dressage evolution in the Torres family’s breeding strategy: a horse that loves competitions and rises to challenges confidently.
“At competitions, Fogoso truly shines. He loves being in the spotlight,” Rodrigo explains.

“Since Fogoso was four, he could already do everything. I could play with some piaffe and some passage. It was very easy for him because he was very well-balanced. He was already giving me everything, and I just took advantage of these natural things he gave me.”

The Lusitano breed is known for their natural talent for passage and piaffe due to their short and powerful physic. Something Rodrigo has in mind when training them.

“When a horse is balanced & strong, and accepting my aids, I can ask nothing, and he will do everything.”

 

Talking about the breed, how do you implement the German training scale?

“The training scale is logical. I always try to go through the training scale, but when riding, you must feel what you must do at every moment. Sometimes you have to go back a little, then maybe two or three steps forward, then back again etc. Riding is not mechanical. You see; It’s the horses saying to me what I need to do. Not me.”

Rodrigo explains how Lusitanos naturally can be presented earlier to collected exercises.

“Some Lusitanos are already, as a 5-year-old ready for 3-4 steps in piaffe, because it is natural for them. I do this just for the horse to ‘feel it’. I never push them. I rather try to understand exactly what to do at every moment. This is my philosophy. Step by step, I give them more and more tasks, and step by step, they give me more and more in return.”

 

“When a horse is balanced & strong, and accepting my aids, I can ask nothing, and he will do everything.”

Rodrigo Moura Torres

Rodrigo puts his head up to demonstrate:

“If you see horses move naturally in freedom, they do so many difficult things. And they always keep their head up. So why should I sit on them and put their head down, destroying their natural balance? To make a horse improve, you need to keep him healthy. And for this, we need to understand the difference between the breeds.”

“We cannot go to full extension with a Lusitano when they are young, as this might ruin them. While a Lusitano might play with piaffe as a 5yo, my warmblood started passage when he was 8. So we must keep attention to their natural balance and ask what they have to offer.”

 

“The rider’s balance will be good if the horse can move in a good balance. You can sit still, and your legs don’t have to push. The horse will move through his back and into your hand.”

Rodrigo Moura Torres

 

He continues:

“Some Lusitanos can ruin their body if they go big before they are strong and on a higher level. To go forward is one thing but to push is another thing. You simply cannot force something they cannot deliver to you. Approximately 95% of the dressage horses today are warmbloods, so the training scale which is good itself – is based mainly on warmbloods. We need to keep that in mind and foster what they are good at. The things they are not so good at will come naturally when they become stronger
and more confident.”

Talking about balance, how would you describe a rider in balance?

“Many trainers say if the horse goes wrong, the rider is not sitting in a good way. I don’t believe this. The rider’s balance will be good if the horse can move in a good balance. You can sit still, and your legs don’t have to push. The horse will move through his back and into your hand.”

 

Maria adds:

“You might notice how Rodrigo is moving a bit up or forward when going into halt or piaffe. One of the judges in Tokyo even commented on this, that he fell a bit forward in the exercise, but it’s actually natural for him. He feels it will help the horse, and that in that moment it will loosens his back and support the balance.”

Rodrigo:

“If I keep the natural balance of the horse and the horse work in harmony, the midpoint is the rider, so I try to keep the center of his balance to where I am sitting. If I sit behind this center, the weight comes too much to the hind legs. The rider needs to be in self-carriage, as I don’t want to destroy the balance of the horse. As an example, the gravity of the pirouette should be where I am sitting.”

“If I keep the natural balance of the horse and the horse work in harmony, the midpoint is the rider, so I try to keep the center of his balance to where I am sitting.”

Rodrigo Moura Torres

 

Despite their achievements in the ring, the duo is not seen often at bigger shows. Rodrigo explains.

“My main goal is to keep Fogoso healthy and happy so we prefer shows close to home, as we don’t want to push him with travelling. Even as a youngster, we opted to only start competing when he turned 7 years old, and we only do 2-3 bigger competitions a year. The remaining time we keep him in his routine at home doing his normal horse life.”

“The way I see it, show jumping is much more about business, which requires more travelling, while dressage, for many, is not so much about that. It’s more about making a name for yourself and delivering unique performances at the right stages. So we dont want to travel to the other side of the world if we dont have to.”

EQUILIFE visited the Olympic debutant at his family farm in Alentejo, Portugal, where Rodrigo began his riding career working the farm cattle and competing in working equitation.

 

We want to thank the Torres family for having us over and Lusitano Horsefinder for collaboration with us to make this trip possible.

 

 

 

https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/balance-13.jpg 534 800 Teresa Burton https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo-lusitano-heritage2.png Teresa Burton2022-11-08 19:58:282022-11-08 20:03:46The Art of Balance

Laura Gosch – One to Watch!

7th November 2022/in Blog, Classical Equitation, Equestrian life in Portugal, Uncategorised, Interviews - riders, breeders and related people /by Teresa Burton

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

 

 

 

 

https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/laura-2.jpg 534 800 Teresa Burton https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo-lusitano-heritage2.png Teresa Burton2022-11-07 18:43:392022-11-07 18:42:26Laura Gosch – One to Watch!

Equestrian Designer has Heritage at Heart

17th June 2022/in Blog, Articles, Portuguese Equestrian Heritage, Classical Equitation, Portuguese Artisans - Handmaking Equestrian items, Equestrian life in Portugal, Frontpage Article /by Teresa Burton

Equestrian fashion designer Silvia Teixeira considers sustainability is one of her top priorities.

On looking into how she can apply it to her work she realised that inadvertently part of her work is already made in a sustainable way!

Text Teresa Burton. Photo Lena Saugen

Silvia’s passion for horses started at a very young age. During her studies of Fashion Design at the Faculty of Architecture of the Technical University of Lisbon, she learned about Riding Costumes and the Traditional Portuguese Riding Costume. After her faculty graduation, she did an internship at Maria Gonzaga’s Costumes in Lisbon, known for creating beautiful costumes and wardrobes for TV, theatre, and film productions before she opened a workshop dedicated to designing beautiful handmade and bespoke garments for horse lovers.

Silvia applying finishing touches to her creations worn by Model/Rider Laura Gosche

“I am inspired every day by antiques, films and TV series, music, photography, art, nature, my family and friends, and of course riding my horse.”

Recently Silvia has been teasing us with glimpses of her new collection posted on her Instagram page. Her work is unique, and these sneak previews of things to come are no exception. When an opportunity came up for a costume shoot, we couldn’t resist the chance to invite her to bring some pieces for the day.

It took a little time to convince her to jump on a flight from the Azores – but we were persistent, and she came!

Goncalo Linhas and Laura Gosche at Quinta do Palhão

The photoshoot was held at Quinta do Palhão, Vila Chã De Ourique – the home of classical rider Goncalo Linhas and his wife; Equine Vet Nara Franca.

First Image Goncalo Linhas and Nara Franca Second & Third images Laura Gosche

 

We were also fortunate to have the opportunity to be present when the first horses moved into their newly built stables.

Goncalo, Nara and one of Goncalo’s students, former model Laura Gosch wore the garments for the photos

 

Silvia´s latest collection is the first in a series of small themed collections of garments for equestrians and horse lovers. Not necessarily to wear just in the arena.

Nara Franca stunning in a black silk jacket

“It is a way of expressing soul through fashion,” she says.

“All of those who know me are aware of my passion for film and tv series. Not just the costume design, but everything that makes a good story. All the work put in to create the perfect step outside reality moment.”

I will wear high heels so you can hear my approach on the cobblestones (….) You listen for my footsteps.

Polly Gray . The Peaky Blinders

“I work with some lovely ladies with fairy hands”

Cobblestone is my first `inspired by´ small collection. All designs are handmade and unique. All are prototypes for the future exploring through sizes, colour pallets and textures.

Commitment to sustainability

Silvia considers sustainability is one of her top priorities. On looking into how she can apply it to her work she realised that inadvertently part of her work is already made in a sustainable way! For example, she does not mass produce – all the garments are made with a purpose and are unique. All are made in her atelier by her, or by local seamstresses.

We cannot wait to see the full collection, coming out in September 2022.

Silvia ́s work is presented in the Lusitano Horse Finder online shop and through the shop you can also commission her to create unique pieces for you.

Text by Teresa Burton    Photo Images by Lena Saugen

https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/braces.jpg 1068 1600 Teresa Burton https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo-lusitano-heritage2.png Teresa Burton2022-06-17 18:59:292022-06-17 19:50:14Equestrian Designer has Heritage at Heart

Traditional Portuguese Farm Holidays

12th May 2022/in Blog, Articles, Portuguese Equestrian Heritage, Classical Equitation, Equestrian Holiday Locations, Equestrian life in Portugal, Uncategorised, Frontpage Article /by Teresa Burton

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

     

    https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/farm-4.jpg 668 1000 Teresa Burton https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo-lusitano-heritage2.png Teresa Burton2022-05-12 17:32:252022-05-21 14:08:27Traditional Portuguese Farm Holidays

    The Procession Caterpillar

    8th March 2022/in Blog, Articles, Farrier, Vet - Lusitano Care, advise Tips & Services, Equestrian life in Portugal, Uncategorised, Frontpage Article /by Teresa Burton
    Read more
    https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-2022-03-02-at-16.03.36.png 1012 1094 Teresa Burton https://www.lusitanohorsefinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo-lusitano-heritage2.png Teresa Burton2022-03-08 21:08:482022-03-16 15:26:34The Procession Caterpillar

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