New Colt Champions: Apolo LS, a Son of Top Brazilian-bred Lusitano Dressage Stallion, Peralta dos Pinhais, and Zunido da Raposa, a grandson of the legendary Novilheiro
Equestrian News Release

Sao Paulo, Brazil - May 25, 2006 – Day Two of the International Lusitano Festival is traditionally devoted to colts and young stallions, and the first group for boys born between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005, saw 40 hopefuls presented in the same format as yesterday’s fillies. An initial parade gathering together all the entries, followed by each individual demonstrating their paces in-hand around a 20-meter triangle, with handlers often dangling at the end of a long lead rope, although in general this generation of males was far better behaved than their female counterparts. The three judges per category are awarding marks according to specific criteria relating to various body parts, such as legs, shoulder and withers, croup, head … as well as the overall outline.

Of the 10 colts who qualified for the final, four represented Interagro: Alvarado, Antigonus, Appiano and Amintas – all the names, of course, succeeded by the Interagro suffix. Their sires, respectively, were Nicola (Habil MV), Quixote Interagro (Danubio III) for both Antigonus and Appiano, and Ofensor (Danubio III). The latter had, in fact, sired the two Interagro fillies, that claimed championship titles in two categories on day one: Alba Interagro and Zainha Interagro.

As it happened, Apolo LS, the winning colt was bred and is owned by the Haras LS Itirapina of Luis Francisco A. Salgado, President of the ABPSL (Brazilian Association for Pure-bred Lusitano Horses). Luis Salgado modestly attributes his success to “merit, luck, competence or destiny.” Genetics, however, were also an important component in this colt’s championship win as he is by Peralta dos Pinhais (Hipolito), out of Quelinda Do Comando SN (Famoso III). Currently, Peralta is the highest ranked, Brazilian-bred dressage stallion in the world who is now based in Germany and competing at Prix St. Georges level with Portugal’s Ventura Freire. Owned by Vasco Freire and Pablo Guillermo, also from Portugal, Peralta dos Pinhais was bred by Luis Ermírio de Moraes from Coudelaria Dos Pinhais of Itapetininga, Sao Paulo. Peralta is the pride and joy of Brazilian breeders as he is currently the only pure-bred Lusitano approved as a breeding stallion in Germany.

The second age-group class of the day reserved for colts born between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004, saw victory go to Zunido da Raposa, bred and owned by Haras Vale da Raposa. Interestingly, Zunido is a paternal grandson, through Inca RC, of the legendary Novilheiro, a stallion who competed at the highest level in show jumping under the saddle of Britain’s John Whitaker. When the remarkable Novilheiro died in 2000 at the age of 29, his fame had spanned many frontiers and disciplines, beginning in Portugal and Spain where he won many showing classes for young horses, then on to France, England, Holland, Germany, the USA and Canada where, remarkably, he was a winner in dressage, eventing and show jumping. Novilheiro’s story was one that paralleled that of Seabiscuit in many ways. The victim of an injury, which was compounded by the negligence of a groom, his rehabilitation to full fitness took several years of constant care following successful surgery in France.

Then owned and ridden by Jean Philippe Giacomini, Novilheiro progressed to Grand Prix level dressage, then traveled to England when the now US-based Frenchman became trainer for the British eventing team. A member of this team who had been taking dressage lessons with Novilheiro persuaded Giacomini to enter the horse in a one-day event, and an impeccable performance gave him victory on his very first outing. Ironically, the horse’s extraordinary qualities caught the eagle eye of one particular spectator: Olympian John Whitaker. Once again, Giacomini was persuaded to switch disciplines and in just one year Novilheiro went from beginner to “open” level Grand Prix show jumping classes. In 1982, partnering Whitaker, the pair competed throughout Europe and the United States, and in 1983 became British Champions. Although many show jumping fans are more familiar with Whitaker’s legendary Milton, he was preceded by another superstar gray, the Lusitano Novilheiro.

Novilheiro’s descendants are, naturally, now perpetuating his multi-disciplinary Lusitano genetics and several sons are proving their value as breeding stallions in Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. Others are competitively demonstrating their qualities in dressage, jumping and bullfighting, although the latter is today rarely practiced in Brazil.

Returning to the competition arena, foreign judge, Mr. Cord Wassmann from Germany’s Hanoverian studbook commented that the quality of colts exceeded that of the fillies by a considerable margin, although there were still quite extreme variations in maturity, even among colts born in the same month. He also said that his concern from the previous day had been the number of fillies with less than ideal legs, and felt that perhaps more emphasis should be attached to correct foundation than any other criteria in order to maintain the strong hocks required for the physical activities generally demanded of Lusitanos.

PHOTO CREDIT: Champion young colt Zunido da Raposa, representing the Haras Vale da Raposa. © 2006 Ney Messi