ortugal is a country of traditions. Its people are open and
friendly, they love to chat and tell a story. There is something
magical about the country that you can feel as soon as you
land in Lisbon. Fado music, the typical Portuguese music that
I would describe as “delightfully melancholic”,
is a perfect illustration of the country’s sense of
nostalgia. As soon as you arrive you fall under the country's
charm, with Lusitano mares cantering through fields along
the banks of the Tagus river, modest but colorful houses,
the proud Toreador and the carefree jumble that you can see
all around. It is a country you never forget, that always
fascinates or surprises in one way or another. You feel good
there, with the beautiful melodies sung on a street corner
and the sunlight that makes everything burst into life...
ts gastronomy is not well known, not enough anyway for my
taste: from enormous steaks and filets, succulent meat, always
fresh fish, real home-made chips, little cheeses that are
(almost) as good as French cheese and puddings that
often use sweetened concentrated milk that (big)
children always like! The wines that you find there can be
white, red and sometimes rosé but they can also be
"green", conveying the best Portuguese traditions
and well appreciated throughout the world.
Cartaxo, the rural town that is home to Manuel Jorge De Oliveira’s
stables is the “Capital do vinho”, the wine capital,
and especially for red wine. Portugal prospers from its pleasant
and very sunny climate, cooled by the Atlantic winds, especially
in its northern part.
ost of the people there live along the Atlantic coast, attached
to the glory of past conquests. The Ribatejo, the region running
form Vila Franca de Xira to Golegã, is ideal for horse
breeding. Running along the banks of the Tagus river, it has
a hot climate, with high grass in the pasture and marshland.
The Tagus valley is where you find most Lusitano studs, taking
advantage of a less arid climate than in the south of the
country.
Horses bred in this region are hardy and healthy. Mares spend
their life along the river banks in complete freedom and only
receive the minimum of care. This natural selection guarantees
the hardiness of the breed. Colts are stabled between three
and a half and four and half years-old whereas the fillies
stay in the field to continue the bloodline.
The education of the colts is carried out gently and respects
their growth. Schooling of the young horse through to high
school can take six years with daily work, without forgetting
that it can always be perfected.
Every year during the Saint-Martin period, there is the Lusitano
horse fair held in Golegã, the capital of the Lusitano
horse. This is an outstanding chance to see all sorts of horses
dressed up for the occasion and ridden by proud riders. A
central arena is provided for the most experienced riders
whilst a track running around this, like a race track, allows
all riders and carriage drivers to come out with their horses
to delight the spectators who have turned up for the occasion.
We can only be in Portugal!
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