Voice Over - Show of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art

The stud farm is the permanent home of the Alter Real broodmare herd, represented in this opening number, entitled “Mare and foal”, by Guhernica, daughter of the stallion Hostil, and by her foal Xedar, son of the stallion Douro.

They will be presented by João Brandão.

All of the horses of the Scholl are born in the stud farm of Alter and they are male, bay, Lusitanos and their history goes back more than five thousand years.

Agile and of docile character, its ancestral characteristics distinguish it from other races by its physical and psychic balance, versatility and agility.

From the battlefield to the elegance of the Portuguese court, here is where it shows its full splendour.

Coming from Alter, the foals arrive at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at the age of four.

After being assigned to the riders by the Master Chief Rider they evolve up to the highest level according to a teaching method in which each horse is always taught by the same rider.

When learning the basics, termed Basse-École (Low School), they start off with the core principles and exercises done in a riding ring, with the weight of a rider, the walking, the trotting and the cantering.

The end goal and objective is towards achieving the splendour of the equestrian art and the countless presentations that awaits them throughout a career, desired long, and for which they are trained.

Pas of 4:

Making sure that horses and riders are ready to perform takes a lot of teaching, training and dedication. The High School choreographies present synchronized exercises and movements, in a demonstration of precision, rhythm and coordination between riders, reflecting the classical principles of Baroque riding and Portuguese equestrian art.

Long Reins:

In the moment that follows, we will witness the art of communication between horse and rider. When performing long reins, every movement is guided only by the voice and the subtle touch of the reins, revealing confidence and harmony. It is a silent dialogue that celebrates the tradition and elegance of Portuguese equitation.

Airs Above the Ground:

In the airs above the ground, horses and riders find perfect synchrony. From exercises such as the Piaffer and the Passage, through the Terre-à-terre, these magnificent animals are prepared for other great exercises such as the Pesades, the Levades, the Balotades and the Caprioles.

We reached the moment of fair demonstration of dexterity. There, the quintain, figure of curious importance. Over there the Medusa, remembering the ancient myths. Further ahead the head and the rings for the training of expertise and aim. Together, they simulate the battle exercises and others that recreate the universe of tournaments, jousts and a riding style very Iberian and Portuguese: the gineta.

At the Alter Stud Farm, daily work is carried out with the aim of preserving, enhancing and improving the invaluable genetic heritage of the Alter Real line of the Lusitano horse.

Selection is based on numerous factors, with functionality at the top of the list: functionality for Portuguese classical equitation and High School work, complemented by an increasing focus on dressage, a discipline in which the Lusitano horse has gained a prominent place on the international stage.

The Solo is the great equestrian moment, in which a horse performs the most difficult exercises in a complex and seamless sequence. This is the most delicate number, and the one in which the symbiosis between horse and rider can be best observed.

Representing the Alter Stud Farm today, we will have Raquel Falcão, riding Joba, son of Beirão and grandson of the Olympic horse Rubi.

We bid you farewell with the grand finale of the royal performances of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the carousel, a number with a complex choreography, which combines the beauty and synchrony of the exercises, which we usually see in solos, but now multiplied by 8 riders.