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The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE),will be regularly making performances and holding training sessions open to the general public at the Henrique Calado Riding Ring (on Calçada da Ajuda, in Belém).
Visiting the Henrique Calado Riding Ring opens up the opportunity to travel back through Portuguese history, experiencing the moments that perpetuated the beauty of the Lusitano horses from the Alter Real Stud Farm, engaged in this art since the 18th century, with the performance of classical riding exercises alongside those from the Baroque period and the exercises making up the Court Games (tournaments held between the 16th and 19th centuries to commemorate festive occasions) and furthermore reflected in the costumes, saddles and harnesses, whether the working (Daily Training) or the gala versions (Weekly Presentations and Gala Performances) and exactly alike those in use in the earliest days of Portuguese Equestrian Art.
One hour before each event, and a new development for 2018, the Nora Patio (on Calçada da Ajuda) may also now be visited providing the opportunity to observe the care the handlers take with the Lusitano horses from the Alter Real Stud Farm as well as accompanying their warm-up exercises.
Mornings of Equestrian Art
At the Nora Patio (on Calçada da Ajuda), there is also the opportunity to view the warm-up and riding exercises, undertaken by riders wearing period costume, respecting the pace, the health and the physical needs of each horse. This ensures their appropriate training to the highest of standards required for the level attained in EPAE Galas and Performances. As from 11.30am, you may follow the preparations for the Portuguese Equestrian Art exercises and choreographies in the Henrique Calado Riding Ring along with the musical accompaniment that together recreate all of the charm and refinery of the 18th century Portuguese court.
Galas
Experience the magic of this historical recreation of an evening spent with the 18th century Portuguese court. The riders emerge in full formal costume and the horses, all Alter Real Lusitano thoroughbreds, are embellished with three-point Portuguese braids, decorated with silk ribbons, Portuguese-style saddles covered in either in either tapir skin or swede, carrying out the riding exercises so characteristic of the Baroque period, such as the “Airs above the Ground” and the “Court Games”, tournaments staged on festive occasions in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Portuguese School of Equestrian Art – 2018 Schedule of Presentations [PDF]
Prices: Galas – 25€ // Mornings of Equestrian Art – 8€ (free for children until 5 years old)
Tickets: www.arteequestre.pt
How to get there:
Picadeiro Henrique Calado
Calçada da Ajuda
1300-006 Belém
GPS Coordinates
38º 42’ 00.98” N 9º 12’ 00.08” W
Lisboa > Belém
Bus: Nº 728, 714, 727, 729, 751
Tram: 15
Train: Take the Cascais Line (Station of Belém)
For further information and reservations: info@parquesdesintra.pt; +351 21 923 73 00
