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Lured by Lusitano's- Britain signs off on Fiona Price-Jones's dressage success!

Written by Sarah Warne





Recently granted her CDI dressage license from the British Equestrian Federation, Fiona Price-Jones had planned to stay in Portugal for just three months, but after falling in love with the horses and the classical method of riding, she has now been training here with Miguel Ralão for almost three years.

"I came to Portugal to learn more about the classical method. But the Lusitano's captured my heart! Once I purchased my first Lusitano, 'Relento', bred by top breeder João Pedro Rodrigues, the choice to stay was easy."

Strapped into a saddle basket at 6 months of age, Fiona grew up around horses, and loved to help out at her mum's trekking centre in the UK.

Fiona says no-one could keep her away from the horses, and so finally at age 8, she was blessed with her first pony.

"It was like all my Christmas's had come at once! My life had been given new meaning."

Over the years Fiona has had a go at many disciplines including eventing, showjumping, and even sidesaddle, but it was dressage that really pushed her to make horses her life.

"Dressage, and the training it requires, was what really inspired me to reach the top. I love the feeling you get when you are in total harmony with your horse."

With the help of instructor and mentor Miguel, Fiona has competed her lusitano gelding 'Relento' to intermediate 1 level, , and now hopes to continue on to Grand Prix.

"I had trained and competed up to PSG level in England, but work commitment and illness stopped my progression. It wasn't until I got to Portugal, and saw the work of Miguel and the talent of the Lusitano's, that I felt a new surge of determination. I wanted to make it to Grand Prix."

"Training with Miguel has made that dream possible. I couldn't believe the discipline that Portuguese trainers apply, not just to the horse, but to the rider's as well. They are completely focused on making sure you establish the classical seat before you can advance through the levels of training."

In addition, Miguel has taught me the value of good basic training. The classical way of training; based on the lightness and suppleness of the horse and the importance and effectiveness of light aids. Once this is established, all the rest is more easy to tackle."

Fiona says having the right horse also helps, and although she has owned many warmbloods over her years of dressage training in Britain, Lusitanos have stolen her heart.

"Lusitanos are by far the most rewarding and the most fun to work with. They enjoy working with you and try very hard to please you. Their sensitivity is also superior to other breeds."

Inspired by her trainer, Fiona thinks Miguel is amazing because of the time and concentration he puts into every horse he rides, regardless of it's ability.

"He spends hours on each horse, making sure his training is correct, never giving up until he is satisfied; a true horseman."

Like Miguel, Fiona believes the most important thing in riding is to enjoy your horse and never want to get off.

"You need to enjoy it, and Miguel really does. As for other British riders wanting to train and compete at the top with Lusitanos in Portugal? I would just tell them to start by getting onto the best breeders, breeders like João Pedro Rodrigues.

Having put that advice into action, Fiona applied to her national federation and can now proudly compete at CDI level on an international scale. After considering her video application, along with her recorded scores of over 65% at PSG level, Britain was happy to support their Lusitano rider.

Thrilled with their response, Fiona will now continue her training with Miguel at the fantastic stable of Quinta Dos Cedros, owned and run by Bruno Carrilho, and hopes that it won't be long before she is competing amongst Grand Prix competitors.

"I am determined to make it, but i know it will take more than a good horse and good training. Success in dressage is about having a team of people behind you, like my vet and horse physio, supporting and helping you. The environment at the stable is fantastic, and Miguels young riders, Nelson Aleluia, João Fialho and Maria Francisca Chaves are there everyday, it's all these people that make my dream a reality."





Miguel -  trainer -  taken by Maria Fransisca





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LUSITANO   MATCHMAKER   NICOLE GIGER   -  Written by Sarah Warne






Bridging the gap between the beautiful Portuguese Lusitano and the rest of the world, Nicole Giger is helping equestrian enthusiasts find their perfectly matched Lusitano in Portugal. "I hope to make the Lusitano more known throughout the world and to build up my vast network of cooperative partners in different countries," Nicole says. Describing herself as a well organized, honest person, Nicole has a professional background in marketing management and riding instruction and says she both "knows and loves horses". "Since my childhood I was fascinated by horses and they have become my life's passion.” I always wanted to be with horses, to ride them and to understand them. My first contact with our four-legged friends was as a kid when my mother would take me along to horse races." After her first internship with one of the greatest riding masters, Luis Valenca, in Portugal, Nicole's "passion for the Lusitano was set". Born in Switzerland, the Lusitano drew Nicole to Portugal more and more. "Portugal has some of the best Lusitanos, and the Lusitano has that high sensibility and reactivity of a pure-bred, combined with the beauty, obedience and courage of the Iberian horse. It is truly one of the best saddle horses in the world." Fascinated with the Portuguese breed of horse, Nicole wanted to spread the word on the Lusitano. She hoped to become the link between Portugal and the world and so she began helping horse-riders from other nations find a Lusitano from where the breed originated. Nicole says she loves to network internationally, and thrives on providing the means of enjoyment for horse people from all over. "I love to see when a rider finds the right horse, one which will make them happy for many years. When the rider feels, understands and loves his horse, that's when the horse will give all his effort in order to please him." As a result of the Lusitano's versatility, Nicole can find the horse for every taste and demand. "Riders often approach me knowing exactly what kind of horse they want to buy. But it often happens that they arrive in Portugal and change their mind completely once they see the diversity of horses here." Riders from all over world have been touched by the professionalism and passion they have witnessed through their contact with Nicole. One of Nicole's most rewarding comments from a client of Switzerland: "Nicole’s service was extremely valuable. She has contacts with the most reputable and well-known Lusitano breeders and studs in Portugal, but has no obligations with any of these whatsoever. Thanks to very good preliminary work, Nicole got me access to the type of horses I was looking for. But what was just as important for me was the contact after I bought the horse. She was present both at the pre-purchase examination of my horse and also when the horse was loaded onto the large transporter to my home in Switzerland. I received professional advice and support in every respect. During our stays in Portugal, she took the time needed to find the right horse. From my experience, I can recommend Nicole’s service without any reservations, and would not hesitate to use it again myself.” Although there is no typical client, Nicole says that it is her job to match every rider, no matter how individual or unique, to the right horse. "The riders benefit as I can provide them with a vast network of contacts in the Portuguese equestrian world, presenting pre-selected horses which fit with their needs. I put them in direct contact with Portuguese breeders and sellers. The Portuguese equestrian world benefits too as I bring international clientel to Portugal, helping to share the Lusitano's brilliance with the world."   For more information please contact Nicole at  nicole.giger@datacomm.ch








We must all strive to be a voice for the horse in this time.   For the horse alone will give us love and freedom but only if expressed in the joy and happiness of proper handling and training.  It is this place the horse will show their appreciation of our love by giving his all.

The voice of Tribunal Lusitana is speaking volumes with important current issues interviewing international masters of horsemanship and dressage:  Click on the pic below:




This website is for the Lusitano Breeder, Owner, Rider where owning a Lusitano can be a dream come true!  I was in Brazil in May 2009 and if you are interesting in visiting or buying a horse from Brazil I made some wonderful contacts.  I have many videos and pictures of horses for sale in Brazil. 

Lusitanos have shined at the top level of the sport as Dressage, Driving,Working Equitation and Jumping.  They have yet to be defined in the Western world of Reining, Penning, Sorting, Mounted Shooting etc.  Most importantly Lusitanos dominate the sport of mounted Bullfighting - the ultimate test of athleticism in Portual, Spain and Mexico.  The most impressive video on You Tube today is Merlin:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgG_Gwy7Ysg

BRAZIL - MAY 2009 - Back from Brazil - more pics and videos to come!




Video of Lusitano Training in Brazil! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPlHh2pATGQ



Video of a Breeding Farm in Brazil! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_H7q_2uteU


This picture of one of the auction horses from Brazil.


Lusitanos have qualities that are unlike any other breed.  Their work ethic, obedience and intelligence are so keen that working and training these horses is easy and a pleasure.  They are incredible brave and will actually seek out an object they are not sure of.  I have heard of many stories of amatuer owners feeling like their horses look after them!  That is in itself is the best reason for riding a Lusitano.

Their conformation is such that their flexibility of their limbs makes them incredible athletes.  Their long bones produce closed angles at the hips, hocks, shoulders, elbows and this allows them to easily flex each one of their joints without resistance and unfold them softly throughout the transitions.  This makes the lateral movement so easy for them.   These horses were bred for Royalty and their spirit and presence says it all.  Just ride one and you will be amazed at how they know what you want and try so hard to please!

-Your Horse is Your Gift

To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter
of a few short years, a horse can teach a young girl
courage, if she chooses to grab mane and hang on
for dear life. Even the smallest of ponies is
mightier than the tallest of girls. To conquer the
fear of falling off, having one's toes crushed, or
being publicly humiliated at a horse show is
an admirable feat for any child. For that, we can be
grateful.

Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle or a
computer, a horse needs regular care and most of it
requires that you get dirty and smelly and up off the
couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen to break
the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose
responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and
drink heartily; we know we've made the right choice.
Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a
science. Some are easy keepers, requiring little more
than regular turn-out, a flake of hay, and a trough of
clean water. Others will test you - you'll struggle to
keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have
their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone
missing. Some are so accident-prone you'll
swear they're intentionally finding new ways to
injure themselves.

If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know
that they have unique personalities. You'd expect
this from dogs, but horses? Indeed, there are clever
horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with a
sense of humor. Those prone to humor will test you by
finding new ways to escape from the barn when you
least expect it.

Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic,
obstinate or willing. You will hit it off with some horses and
others will elude you altogether. There are as many "types" of
horses as there are people - which makes the whole
partnership thing all the more interesting.
If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume
it's a simple thing you can learn in a weekend.
You can, in fact, learn the basics on a Sunday, but
to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a
living being is far more complex than turning a key in
the ignition and putting the car or tractor in "drive."
In addition to listening to your instructor, your
horse will have a few things to say to you as well. On a
good day, he'll be happy to go along with the program
and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, you'll swear
he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or perhaps
he's fed up with how slowly you're learning his language.
Regardless, the horse will have an opinion. He may choose to
challenge you (which can ultimately make you a better rider)
or he may carefully carry you over fences - if it suits him. It all
depends on the partnership - and partnership is what it's all
about.

If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to
work at it, you'll learn lessons in courage, commitment,
and compassion in addition to basic survival skills. You'll
discover just how hard you're willing to work toward a goal,
how little you know, and how much you have to learn.
And, while some people think the horse "does all the
work", you'll be challenged physically as well as mentally.
Your horse may humble you completely. Or, you may find that
sitting on his back is the closest you'll get to heaven.
You can choose to intimidate your horse, but do you
really want to? The results may come more quickly, but will
your work ever be as graceful as that gained through trust?
The best partners choose to listen, as well as to tell. When
it works, we experience a sweet sense of accomplishment
brought about by smarts, hard work, and mutual understanding
between horse and rider. These are the days when you know with
absolute certainty that your horse is enjoying his work.

If we make it to adulthood with horses still in our
lives, most of us have to squeeze riding into our
over saturated schedules; balancing our need for
things equine with those of our households and
employers. There is never enough time to ride, or to
ride as well as we'd like. Hours in the barn are stolen
pleasures.

If it is in your blood to love horses, you share your life
with them. Our horses know our secrets; we braid our
tears into their manes and whisper our hopes into their
ears. A barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered
place where life's true priorities are clear: a warm place to sleep,
someone who loves us, and the luxury of regular meals. Some
of us need these reminders.

When you step back, it's not just about horses - it's about love, life,
and learning. On any given day, a friend is celebrating the birth of a
foal, a blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. That same day, there
is also loss: a broken limb, a case of colic, a decision to sustain a
life or end it gently. As horse people, we share the accelerated life
cycle of horses: the hurried rush of life, love, loss, and death that
caring for these animals brings us. When our partners pass, it is
more than a moment of sorrow.

We mark our loss with words of gratitude for the ways
our lives have been blessed. Our memories are of joy,
awe, and wonder. Absolute union. We honor our horses for their
brave hearts, courage, and willingness to give.

To those outside our circle, it must seem strange. To
see us in our muddy boots, who would guess such poetry
lives in our hearts? We celebrate our companions with praise
worthy of heroes. Indeed, horses have the hearts of warriors
and often carry us into and out of fields of battle.
Listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime horse; of
journeys made and challenges met. The best of horses
rise to the challenges we set before them, asking little in
return.

Those who know them understand how fully a horse can
hold a human heart. Together, we share the pain of sudden
loss and the lingering taste of long-term illness. We shoulder
the burden of deciding when or whether to end the life of a true
companion.

In the end, we're not certain if God entrusts us
to our horses--or our horses to us. Does it matter?
We're grateful God loaned us the horse in the first place.

Author Unknown