The Lusitano Connection The modern-day sport horse breeding world encompasses many diverse bloodlines, with the majority of breeders selec- tively harnessing discipline-specific qualities for the Olympic disciplines. In fact, most, but not all, of the Warmblood stud- books belonging to the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses are operating ‘open door’ policies in equine terms, with many horses accepted into numerous stud books. One could claim that the majority of modern sport horses are in- deed “mongrels,” albeit extremely well-bred ones. The handful of ‘pure-bred’ sport horses competing inter-
nationally in dressage today are limited to Lusitanos (APSL) and Andalusians (PRE), both originating from the Iberian Peninsula, and occasionally Friesians. However, anyone who considers that all pure breeds are created equal would be sadly mistaken. Centuries of conforming to certain genetic traits is what characterizes the pure breeds today, but selec- tive breeding associated with sporting qualities in recent decades has added definition in terms of discipline-specific functionality. In 1996, when Manuel Tavares de Almeida Filho launched
his Rocas do Vouga stud farm, his choice for foundation bloodlines came from the Top and Interagro Brazilian stud farms, as well as the most important mare lines imported directly from Portugal from the well-known, reputable breed- ers, the three Manuels: Braga, Coimbra and Vega. The foundation stallions that launched the Rocas do Vou-
ga breeding program included the renowned Marfim do Top and Ordenado, who were later exported. Since then, Manuel Tavares de Almeida has supervised a rigorous selection pro- cess, which has resulted in the influential group of stallions currently standing at the farm: Violino SS, Quartzo RC, Oceano MV, Riopele SS, Ultramar da Broa and Toleirão da Broa. Rocas do Vouga has already achieved great success in
jumping, working equitation and dressage at national and international levels, always striving for the ultimate in func- tionality by closely monitoring the progress of young horses as they develop towards the desired standards for competi- tion and breeding.
Lusitano Roots are Deep As depicted in ancient cave paintings, the probable ancestors of the modern Lusitano inhabited the Iberian Peninsula as far back as 25,000 to 20,000 BC. Writing around 370 BC, Xeno- phon admired the advanced horsemanship demonstrated by Iberian horsemen in war thanks to the agility of their horses. Later, cross-breeding these Iberian horses with imported Barbs produced the superior war horses introduced to the Americas by the Conquistadors. In early history, European horse breeds were known by the name of their breeding re- gion, with the Lusitano taking its name from Lusitania—the Roman name for the region today known as Portugal. For modern-day Lusitanos, it is perhaps their ‘fight’ not
‘flight’ mentality and the athleticism demonstrated in the bull rings of their native region that that has prepared them for the competitive dressage arena, to which they bring their strength, stamina, flexibility and willingness to work. Lusitanos also have inher- ently collected gaits that lend themselves to per- form the high-school movements of passage and piaffe with grace and ease. Collection, with softness, roundness, relax- ation and willingness to move, is precisely where Lusitanos excel. Luiza, Pedro and Manuel Tavares de Almeida are proud
advocates of this breed on which their family has focused considerable energy and expertise. If these three siblings have their way, the Lusitano will become an ever more famil- iar sight in dressage competitions around the world.
Warmbloods Today 27
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