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Lusitano Horses in Portugal

Lusitanos are considered to be the oldest saddle horses in the world. The name of the Lusitano horse derives from Lusitania, the name which the ancient Romans gave to the part of the Iberian peninsula, that corresponds roughly to modern Portugal and part of modern Spain. So, Lusitanos and Andalusians are in fact different branches of the same breed. If a thoroughbred Iberian horse is of a dun color, palomino or cremello – you may be quite sure, that this horse is Lusitano.
The Lusitano breed is not so numerous, as Andalusian: in the whole world there are no more than 2 000 of Lusitano horses, and what is more, only half of this amount is located in Portugal. Considerable quantity of this breed is concentrated in Brazil (600 broodmares) and in France (200 broodmares).
Nowadays it is considered that total number of the Lusitanos has proceeded from the six main ancestors – five stallions and one mare. Those five stallions are: Agareno, Primoroso, Destinado, Marihalja II and Regedor. The mare’s name is Hugaria. From these six ancestors three main lines of Lusitanos are built: Veiga, Andrade, Coudelaria Nacional (founded in 1887) and Alter Real (founded in 1748). Breeders can blend the representatives of these lines depending on the pursued goal – whether they want to receive a horse for bullfighting, dressage, draught-horse or a mixture of all these qualities.
The breed is treated as thoroughbred. Each thoroughbred Lusitano horse needs special registration and is inscribed into the Stud Book.
As the appeal of the Lusitano has broadened in recent years, the breed has been used in many equestrian disciplines. They are still highly-valued as a mount for classical dressage. Also, their athleticism lends them to be talented jumpers. They can excel in Western disciplines and to be impressive and responsive driving horses. A special attention should to be paid to their achievements in sport.
Here are some notable Lusitano horses of the last years:
Orphee – is a member of a French Olympic dressage team in Barcelona under Catherine Durant. French dressage champion.    
Novilheiro - Grand Prix dressage horse and then international show jumping horse under John Whitaker.
Ripado – is a dressage horse of international level.
In 1996, Felix Brasseur of Belgium drove a team of Lusitanos to the four-in-hand title at the Word Driving Championships in Waregem, Belgium.
The majority of the Portugal thoroughbred Lusitano horses are trained in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. This school has a very rich history. The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art is a reconstruction of the academy "Picaria Real", which was closed in the 19th century and reopened in the 20th century. In spite of its periodical closing, its teaching and traditions however did not die and have never ceased to influence horsemanship in Portugal. The purpose of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art is to preserve this heritage and also to practice and teach the equestrian art, which has such old and brilliant traditions in Portugal.
Vast majority of the world level equestrian sport stars were trained in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. This school made and still makes real champions in the very beginning of their sport career.
Ancient traditions of Portuguese school and acknowledged masters are the main guarantees of the skills that a horse purchases here.

Commercial offer from the “Alfa Horse” company

In connection with not very numerous amount of the Lusitano horses on the territory of an Old World, the “Alfa Horse” company works as an official distributor of the horses of this breed, belonging to the best Portuguese breeders.
During the period of its existence, the “Alfa Horse” company gained numerous clients’ confidence and high level authority thanks to its honesty and efficiency.
If you want to purchase a true Portugal horse with the full documental package, including inscription into the Stud book, you have 2 variants to do this:

Purchasing of a horse at a distance:
1) You appeal to the “Alfa Horse” company and we give you photo and video materials of the horses, together with the documents.
2) You choose the horse you like the best.
3) You are waiting for the veterinary conclusion.
4) Pay the money.
5) “Alfa Horse” realizes delivery of a horse (the horses) in the shortest period of time (the right for choosing a transporter is leaved with you)
6) And, at last, you are a happy owner of a Portuguese horse!

Purchasing of a horse personally:
1) You appeal to the “Alfa Horse” company
2) We buy tickets for you (flights to the Lisbon are regular – 5 times per week), we help you with getting a visa
3) We provide you with a transfer, transport and English speaking guide
4) You visit a stud farm
5) You have the possibility to test a horse’s sport abilities and other skills and to discuss the details with the seller
6) You receive the veterinary conclusion
7) After the return to Russia you are already an owner of a Lusitano horse.
We would like to emphasize the fact that “Alfa Horse” company did not promote the seller’s interests and do not work as an agent.

You do everything by yourself: choose, discuss all conditions, purchase.