Exquis World Dressage Masters Studies Brazilian Leg for 2011

Just days before the start of the first leg of the 2010 Exquis World Dressage Masters (WDM) in Palm Beach, the WDM organization announced Monday the signing of a letter of intent to consider staging an event in Brazil in 2011.

Camil Smeulders, managing director of WDM, announced the signing of the letter of intent with the company Haras Vale da Raposa operated by world renowned Brazilian architect Bennett Nisencwajg and his son, Heitor.

WDM said it viewed the discussions as a major step in internationalizing dressage as the key for a sustainable future for the Olympic sport.

Brazil is considered one of the leading economies of the future and has been selected by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The city was host of the 2007 Pan American Games, which includes the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, jumping and eventing.
South America would be the third continent to be part of the prestigious WDM circuit, the richest lineup of dressage events in the world.

Bennett Nisencwajg is famous for creating exclusive residences in South America and on the East Coast of the United States, including a resort on Brazil's central coast which includes a Lusitano stud.

WDM 5-star events have been held in Palm Beach, Florida; Munich, Germany; Cannes, France and Hickstead, England, each with prize money of €100,000 (US$138,000) plus a Rider Bonus of €25,000 (US$34,600) sponsored by Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe.

The 2010 WDM circuit kicks off at Palm Beach this week with Steffen Peters, Anky van Grunsven and Isabell Werth competing together for the first time since the 2009 World Cup in Las Vegas was won by the American.

Haras Vale da Raposa and WDM management will conduct a feasibility study in the coming months to determine whether a WDM event could be viable and, if so, select a city to host it.

"It's an honor for us and for our country that WDM considers to stage a leg of its prestigious 5-star circuit in Brazil," Bennett and Heitor Nisencwajg of Haras Vale da Raposa said in a statement. "We are very confident that Brazil is capable of hosting an event like this and expect a positive outcome."

Anthony Kies, Chief Executive Officer of WDM, said: "WDM wants to grow gradually. We have to keep pace with our commercial leverage and will have to convince sport authorities, riders, owners and sponsors that this is a unique opportunity. At the same time, we are confident that Brazil has the potential to become one of the hosting countries of WDM."

About WDM

The Exquis World Dressage Masters (WDM) was launched in 2009 as an initiative of equestrian innovator Exquis, international sports marketing agency, SportBizz, and Equestrian Sport Productions of the United States. WDM's objective is to grow the sport of dressage by staging world class events with substantial prize money and marketing expertise.

WDM is sponsored by Exquis, Moorland Stables and Moorland Investments, and Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe with Jerich International as the official Logistics Provider.

Lusitano Horse Auction in Florida Reports Record Sales

MIAMI, FL (March 11, 2010) -- A four-year-old newly-trained Interagro Lusitano stallion brought a record price of US$145,000.00 recently at The 2010 Lusitano Collection ™ International Horse Auction held at The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.  With a record attendance of 250 people, the third consecutive U.S. auction attracted a prestigious crowd of notable trainers, breeders, professional riders and amateur practitioners from various regions of the United States and Canada. This select group of horse connoisseurs and aficionados of the equestrian disciplines did not hesitate to make their preferences known for the Brazilian imports at the higher end of the price spectrum with record setting sales prices this year.  Seventy percent of the lots were sold at or above their reserve prices, resulting in an average price of US$41,700.00 per animal sold.

The successful results achieved by The Lusitano Collection ™ go beyond the simple commercial aspect of the sales. More importantly, this auction served to advance the introduction of the Lusitano breed one step further in North America, not only by increasing the number of owners, but also, very specifically, by attracting an ever growing group of demanding and savvy horse persons who know how to distinguish and evaluate the quality and potential of the horses they buy. “There is a tremendous benefit of buying horses from a big breeder who has completed the importation process for you,” reported Helene Asmis, a trainer from New Mexico who was named IALHA Horsewoman of the Year in 2001 and bought two horses at the auction.

It also served to give a valuable reading of the equestrian market's wishes for future events. As a pioneering promoter of the Lusitano breed, The Lusitano Collection™ has striven to bring a diversified group of horses to the U.S. auction in order to accommodate various equestrian disciplines and riding levels; however, with the experience gathered from past events, The Lusitano Collection™ will now focus on a more exact range of options better designed and catered to the selective and educated equestrian buyers who will attend the U.S. annual auction scheduled to take place in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2011.

Brazilian Dressage Riders on their way to World Equestian Games in 2010

2009-09-15




The Brazilian riders didn’t lose their faith and strength after what happened to their first ever Olympic team in Hong Kong. When Nilo didn’t pass the vet check, the team was over and two individual competitors was the only thing which had left. All Brazilian riders and owners continued kept their dream alive by extending their dream to compete with a Brazilian team in Lexington at the WEG 2010. Now they were rewarded. Last September 11 two more Brazilian dressage riders got their first of two technical qualifying scores for the World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky.

The inspiring winner of the Grand Prix in São Paulo at CDI3* in Sociedade Hípica Paulista, the third of five WEG qualifying competions in Brazil in 2009, was Rogério da Silva Clementino riding the Lusitano stallion Portugal.

Rogério and Portugal scored 68,11% rewarded by Ghislain Fouarge from Holland, and 66,596%, rewarded by Eric Lette from Sweden.

At the first two qualfying Grand Prix´s, Rogério already qualified his Lusitano Nilo VO. Two scores over 64% due to an Olympic judge qualify riders and their horses for the WEG.

Riding the Lusitano Riopelé, Thaissa Tavares de Almeida also registered her first qualifying score of 65,106%, and the third place at Grand Prix.

Her sister and youngest Olympic competitor in equestrian sports Luiza Tavares de Almeida riding her Lusitano Samba, already technically qualified for the WEG, was second at Grand Prix, also with two more scores over 64%.

Besides Luiza Tavares de Almeida/Samba and Rogério Clementino/Nilo VO, Renata Costa Rabello/Ludewig G is the third Brazilian rider already technically qualified for the WEG. Concidently all the three riders took part in the bronze medal team at the Pan Games 2007 in Rio de Janeiro.

Results and Qualification table for WEG 2010:

LUIZA TAVARES DE ALMEIDA riding SAMBA
1º - 64,410%
CDI3* at Winter Equestrian Festival - Florida, USA – January, 28
2º - 64,043% (Stephen Clarke) / 65,532% (Mariette Withages)
CDI3* - CHSA – São Paulo – Brazil, May, 22
3° - 65,319% (Eric Lette)
CDI3* - SHP – São Paulo – Brazil, September, 11

ROGÉRIO SILVA CLEMENTINO riding NILO VO
1º - 65,745% (Stephen Clarke)
CDI3* - CHSA – São Paulo – May, 22
2º - 65,319% (Gotthilf Riexinger)
CDI3* - CHSA – São Paulo – Brazil - June, 19

LEANDRO A. SILVA riding OCEANO DO TOP
1º - 65,106 (Gotthilf Riexinger)
CDI3* - CHSA – São Paulo – Brazil - June, 19

RENATA COSTA RABELLO riding LUDEWIG G
1º - 64,225% (Bernard Maurel)
Grand Prix B 3* - St. Tropez – France – June, 18
2º - 64,25% (Jan Peeters)
CDI3* - Prix Recyma – Strassen – Luxemburg – July, 24

ROGÉRIO SILVA CLEMENTINO riding PORTUGAL
1º - 68,511% (Ghislain Fouarge) and 66,596% (Eric Lette)
CDI3* - SHP – São Paulo – Brazil – September, 11

THAISA TAVARES DE ALMEIDA riding RIOPELE
1º - 65,106% (Eric Lette)
CDI3* - SHP – São Paulo – Brazil – September, 1

Brazil - Tour May 2009

The trip to Brazil was an excellent experience.  I met some wonderful people and made some very good friends.  Even though it was a marathon, we started off at at Lusitano Auction for the first couple of days.  We then started our tour of breeding farms.  I was interesting to see the different types of Lusitano that are bred for all types of sport.  Their breeding program has and will advance for the dressage type of Lusitano in the future.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Preview Coudelaria Ilha Verde’s 11th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction lots on-lineSão Paulo, Brazil – Modern technology provides a unique armchair opportunity to preview all the horses scheduled to go under the hammer at Coudelaria Ilha Verde’s 11th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction on Saturday, May 10th, 2008. The following URL will open the first page of the 2008 auction catalogue, which provides photographs, video clips and links to the ABPSL (Associação Brasileira de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano/Brazilian Association for Pure-bred Lusitanos) website with full genealogical reports for every horse. http://www.cavalolusitano.com.br/en/leilao.asp?PagAtual=1&cat=8If you are unable to attend the auction, telephone bidding will be available via friendly bi-lingual personnel, and further information, reservations, pre-registrations, and DVDs are available upon request via the Coudelaria Ilha Verde website:www.cavalo-lusitano.com.brOnce again, the 11th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction has gathered together a spectacular collection of Lusitanos from superior bloodlines and titled competition stock. Some are already competing and demonstrating excellent potential for high level dressage, while others are multi-talented and waiting for the right partner to steer their versatility in other directions. • Violino: Among the auction lots being offered, one of the stars is undoubtedly Violino, from whom covering services will be auctioned to 20 lucky mare owners who offer winning bids. Violino is a son of legendary and multi-titled Veiga sire, Ofensor – considered to be one of the foundation stallions of the modern Lusitano breed, who was Champion of Champions at the Golegã International Horse Fair in 1999. Perhaps more importantly, Ofensor’s offspring have also won many championship titles and continue to perpetuate the glory of their sire’s extraordinary bloodline.Violino himself has never been beaten in competition, winning various age-group championships and now also producing offspring that are claiming coveted victories. • Xis VO: Ribatejo, Traquina, Zique, Vaqueija, Visqueiro, Quieto and Nieta are just some of the bloodlines that make Xis VO the Brazilian stallion with the highest percentage of Veiga blood offered at this auction. A dark bay son of Navalha, and a brother of Sol VO, Xis is a handsome six-year-old with great potential as both a competitor and a sire.• Zatar VO: A five-year-old son of Sol VO and, therefore, a nephew of Xis, Zatar is a beautiful stallion out of Pimenta do Top who is already showing an aptitude for high-level dressage. Standing at 1m60/15.3hh and with an amazingly docile temperament, Zatar is competition ready and in the right hands has championship potential.• Zeus VO: A beautiful son of Donaire, Zeus is highly typical of the Baroque Lusitano type, packaged inside a stunning buckskin coat that is so sought-after and appreciated. Already showing an aptitude for “haute ecole,” Zeus was inscribed in morphology at the 27th International Pure-bred Lusitano Horse Festival. • Amuleto VO: A showstopper with his dark palomino coat and flowing silver mane, Amuleto stunningly combines male elegance, presence and docility, and could well be a highlight of the 11th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction.Turning to a beautiful collection of mares that includes …• Africa VO: A highlight among the females offered at this auction, Africa VO illustrates Coudelaria Ilha Verde’s vision of the modern Lusitano. With a proven track record and gold medals to her name, she continues to make distinctive progress and will make an eye-catching partner for a competitive rider.• Aurora VO: A delightfully versatile mare who has already won championship gold medals and is in-foal to Quadro do Top. An excellent breeding prospect.Or a complete package …• Zangada VO: An extremely rare opportunity to acquire a mare with such noble bloodlines: twice Traquina and twice Visqueiro in her pedigree. Her reproductive qualities are proven by the beautiful colt that accompanies her: Distinto VO – a son of Quadro do Top. Zangada is also in foal to the same stallion, so this lot offers a remarkable three-in-one package for a breeding beginner.Veterinary reports and x-rays, as well as piroplasmosis-negative certification are available for all the above-mentioned horses.These Lusitano profiles offer a brief insight into some 30 lots that will be offered during the 11th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction that is scheduled to take place at Coudelaria Ilha verde on Saturday, May 10th, 2008. If you would like to attend the auction as well as the Internation Lusitano Festival, places are still available on a 12-day group tour, arriving in São Paulo on Thursday, May 8th, during which the first two days will be spent at Couldelaria Ilha Verde, where you will have the opportunity to ride, interact with Lusitanos, and participate in other equestrian activities, graciously hosted by Victor Oliva. For further information about this trip, please e-mail: jean@jeanllewellyn.comFor further information about Coudelaria Ilha Verde and the 11th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction, please go to: www.cavalolusitano.com.br





In the face of adversity, Lusitanos contribute to a dressage medal for Brazil at the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro


By Jean Llewellyn jean@jeanllewellyn.com
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The XV Pan American Games kicked off with the opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro last Friday, July 13, 2007 and the first equestrian medals have already been awarded for dressage with the home team, Brazil, celebrating a well-deserved bronze. It was the first time in Pan American history that two pure-bred Lusitanos have appeared on the Brazilian team.

Ironically, for anyone who is superstitious, it could be said that Friday the 13th was an unlucky omen for the Brazilian team, who lost one horse and one rider from their first-choice line-up due to sickness. First, the handsome Brazilian-bred Lusitano stallion Nirvana Interagro (by Gatão out of Capicua) bred by Paulo Gavião Gonzaga, succumbed to illness two weeks ago and was unable to recover sufficient health and fitness to compete, much to the disappointment of his rider Pia Aragão. Then, a double blow for Chef d’Equipe Sabine Bilton when Jorge de Costa had to be sidelined, his place being taken by second reserve, Luiza Almeida Tavares – only 15 years old – riding the Portuguese-bred Lusitano stallion Samba (by Inca).

In the face of such adversity the Brazilian team’s podium position was a remarkable accomplishment even though their hopes for greater glory were likely impacted by their pre-competition losses. Quite simply, the team achieved what many considered to be impossible – especially as it was the first taste of international competition for Luiza Almeida Tavares and Roger Clementino, both riding Lusitanos!

Under the watchful eye of judges Jane Weatherwax (USA), Stephen Clarke (Great Britain), Marian Cunningham (Peru), Mariette Withages (Belgium) and Salin Nigri (Brazil), the medal-deciding class took place over the weekend in the Deodoro Stadium of the National Equestrian Centre, some 25 minutes from downtown Rio.
Naturally, as Pan American Games hosts, Brazilian expectations and emotions were running high for their dressage team, and at the end of the first day, Roger Clementino, riding the 13-year old Lusitano gelding Nilo VO on behalf of Victor Oliva’s Coudelaria Ilha Verde stud farm had put Brazil in third place out of seven competing nations with a score of 64.750 percent.

On day two, following a score of 65.400 percent from Renata Costa riding the KWPN Monty, only Luiza Almeida Tavares remained, and her score of 64.650 percent with Samba guaranteed Brazil’s team bronze medal. Wise beyond her tender years, and very aware of rewriting history for Lusitano breeding, Tavares said: “I confess that when I entered the ring I was nervous. But I took a deep breath and did what I had to do. The public also helped,” by remaining so quiet you could hear a pin drop during this final performance of the team competition. It’s the first time in 24 years that Brazil has won a Pan American medal for dressage, the last also being bronze in Caracas, Venezuela in 1983.

This result has certainly provided a wake-up call for the Brazilian equestrian industry that is witnessing an explosion of interest in dressage, undoubtedly thanks to their home-bred population of world-class Lusitanos that are being selectively produced for the specific purpose of challenging the authority of warmbloods on the international dressage stage.


Another Brazilian-bred Lusitano should also be mentioned, the stallion Oceano do TOP (by Afiancado de Flandes, bred by ‘Tonico’ Pereira) who was competing with Sandra Smith under the flag of Argentina. Although he had a slightly disappointing performance, placing 24th with a percentage of 56.600, slightly lower than his pre-Pan-Am results, only a few marks separated him from a top ten finish.

Brazil’s well-deserved result now opens the door to the possibility of their dressage team competing at next summer’s Beijing Olympic Games – with the equestrian events taking place in Hong Kong. Roger Clementino said, “We arrived here and gave everything. Now we need to keep working hard in search of a medal in China.”

As a global shop window for promoting sport horses, it would be a marvellous achievement to see every member of the national team in the saddles of Brazilian-bred Lusitanos and would certainly validate the many years of commitment and passion of Lusitano breeders to producing the finest dressage horses.


2007 Portuguese Dressage Championships

Miguel Ralão Duarte, 2007 Portuguese Dressage Champion

October 17, 2007

Grand Prix rider Miguel Ralão Duarte became the 2007 senior champion at the 20007 Portuguese Dressage Championships held in Lisbon, on October 12-14, 2007. The championship was organized by the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa (SHP), a club decorated by the Portuguese State and founded 97 years ago. The SHP has throughout its history been committed to equestrianism, namely showjumping and dressage. The Portuguese Dressage Championship Finals took place at the SHP show grounds, located in the Campo Grande district of Lisbon. The club is the preferred location for the best and most important equestrian competitions that take place in our country. The Nationals were attended by a large crowds of spectators as well as Portugal's top riders.

In the Grand Prix division, Portuguese anchor team rider Miguel Ralão Duarte won all three phases of the championship. Aboard his Lusitano mare Oxalis de Meia Lua, he scored an overall of 209.16 points and won the gold medal. Miguel Magalhães and Free Dancer claimed silver on 198.83 points, while the bronze was for team rider Pedro Torres on Riopele (195.54).

Four riders participated in the young riders class and Portuguese team anchor Maria Moura Caetano (pictured) was good for gold. With her former PSI auction horse White Cesar, a 12-year old Hanoverian gelding by Woodstock x Acapulco, she scored solid mid sixty percentage scores and totalled 199.94. João Manuel da Costa Silva and Critos earned the silver with 197.27, while Maria Paes do Amaral and Wonderman achieved bronze (190.48).

Seven juniors battled for the national title and it was Joaquim Pontes on Deustche who earned the gold with 195.90 in total. Rodrigo Galiza mendes and Ne Opus landed in second position with a total of 193.75. Francisco da Costa Silva and Gismo were third with 189.45


FEI Young Horse Classes, Easy Prey for the Portuguese

The Portuguese might have shown a glimpse of their rising potential at Grand Prix level, but the FEI Young Horse classes were an easy prey for them. Portuguese Jeanette Jenny and Miguel Ralao Duarte wielded the axe of power in the 5 and 6-year old FEI Young Horse tests and were undefeated the entire weekend.

In the 5-year old class, Miguel Ralao Duarte saddled the sympathetic Lusitano stallion Talisco (by Xaquiro out of Noz), who is owned by Pedro Ferraz de Costa. The gray stallion could have shown more opening of the frame in the extensions, but overall he reflected an image of harmony and fluency.

Judge Christoph Hess was full of praise for this combination. "This is how we want to see young horses go in these classes," said Hess. "The rider has a wonderful position in the saddle, with very good hands. Talisco may not be the best horse in the competition, but he was the best ridden horse today."

Talisco showed a lovely rhythm in the trot and was always in front of the rider. His walk had good overtrack and the canter had a clear 3-beat rhythm. "This horse is 100% trained in the right way," Hess concluded. Talisco and Duarte won the 5-year old YH Finals with 73.00 points. Daniel Zapatero and Farrallon (by Campeon IX out of Grata II) ranked second, followed by Jose Carlos Castillo Munoz on the Westfalian RMS Arundensis.

The competition in the 6-year old Young Horse class was of a higher level with more world class youngsters surfacing at the top of the ranking. Winner of the 6-year olds was Spartacus, a bay Lusitano stallion (by Xaquiro out of Juno) owned by Luis Pidwell. Portuguese Jeanette Jenny pushed Spartacus to brilliance showing a superbly suspended trot and the horse swung in all three basic gaits.

"This is a dream of a horse," Hess commented. "He has three truly good gaits with the right cadence and a very uphill canter." Jenny had some problems with the flying changes and the half pass to the left was not as supple as the one to the right, but overall Spartacus is such a talented horse that we would like to see him back at the 2005 World Young Horse Championships in Verden this summer. Jenny scored 82.20 points.

Placing second in the 6-year old finals was Miguel Ralao Duarte on the delightful bay Lusitano mare Sigonha (by Esquivo out of Doris). Again, Duarte presented his horse with absolute harmony and relaxation. The mare was smooth and fluent in all three basic gaits. "A real happy horse," Hess said, "that's the way they should be schooled." Especially the half passes were a highlight in the test. Sigonha scored 75.20.

Nuria Vila Perez and the KWPN gelding Silvius (by Mondriaan out of Juliabante) ranked third. The impressive bay stallion is very bold horse with good potential to swing in the trot. His walk showed decent overtrack, but the walk pirouette and especially the flying changes were the problems in Perez' test, which forced the score down to 73.60 points.

Worth mentioning is number four on the score board, Sinphonie, a gray KWPN gelding by Krack C. Spanish Lucas Elias rushed Sinphonie through the trot tour causing the horse to lose his rhythm, balance and self carriage, but in canter this Dutch warmblood was breath taking.

"It must be a dream to ride this horse in canter," Hess confessed. Sinphonie is so uphill and so ground covering that his canter work reminds you of Florencio's.

At the end of the young horse classes, Mariette Withages wanted to stress the fact that the relaxed, light and harmonious way the Portuguese winning riders Jenny and Duarte have presented their youngsters is an example for all other European riders. "They should all ride like this. That's what we want to see in young horse test," Withages said