A Mad Dash to the Finish for Working Equitation in the Early Hours of Saturday Morning While Locally-bred Lusitanos Prove Dressage is Alive and Well in Brazil
Equestrian News Release

Sao Paulo, Brazil - May 27, 2006 – The third and final phase of Working Equitation concluded with a frenzied dash around an obstacle course similar to phase two, but at high speed while demonstrating balance, style, and finesse! The latter was impossible to maintai, however, n as the majority of competitors in the kids category, having revved up their mounts in the warm-up ring, lost their sombreros the second they crossed the start line! Each round was accompanied by the whooping and hollerin’ normally associated with a Brazilian soccer match, but the volume certainly kept everyone awake as the clock ticked passed midnight and the plentiful supplies of caipirinha – the Brazilian national drink made from distilled sugar cane – provided an internal heat source as the temperature dipped!

In the advanced class of Working Equitation, following the first two phases, Rogério da Silva Clementino successfully defended his lead to claim a well-deserved victory riding Victor Oliva’s 12-year-old Navarro, bred by Alberto E. Josémanuel Resina. He finished with a considerable points margin 32 to 21 over … himself, as Clementino also claimed the runners-up position riding Nilo VO, relegating Luiz Carlos Oliveira and Tarza da Prata into third place with 17 points. Clementino will now represent Brazil at the second Working Equitation World Championships scheduled to take place in Portugal in October 2006. He will be keen to succeed his fellow countryman, Fabio Rogério Lombardo who is the reigning World Champion.

In the intermediate category, Bruno Ricciluca was the overnight leader after two phases with Loendro, ahead of Setimo do Top ridden by Ricardo Nardy Silva. However, Setimo do Top’s high-speed charge promoted this latter pair to the winner’s enclosure thanks to a textbook round. Setimo do Top is a perfect illustration of the quality and versatility of his sire, Afiancado de Flandes, whose multi-disciplinary offspring are excelling in both Working Equitation and Dressage.

The kids category was a case of “like father, like son” when Fabio Rogério Lombardo Jr., romped into the lead riding Sobradimnho Ozorno, ahead of João Marcos Martins Bueno and Original do Ipé. No one can say that having a World Champion for a father doesn’t have its advantages!

Dressage:

Unlike the world’s top-level dressage classes that comprise primarily Warmbloods, the one certainty about Brazilian-bred Lusitanos, other than their flamboyant paces, is that throwing a temper tantrum is never an anticipated option thanks to their calm disposition.

Although much of the past decade’s recognition of Baroque breeds at Grand Prix level can be attributed to their Spanish cousins, the Andalusians, the Brazilian Lusitanos being selectively bred specifically for this discipline are certifiable proof that they can make a major contribution on the world dressage stage. A few minor issues in the Prix St. George at the International Lusitano Festival occurred for some riders with the rein back and trying to avoid the Lusitano’s inclination to sit down on their hocks. Others would have been marked down for spinning the half-pirouette, while some horses splayed their hind legs in halt, but performances overall could be commended for their regularity – including a relaxed walk with good stride length which has often been criticized as the weakest movement for the Iberian-bred horses. Especially noteworthy were the engagement and uphill canter of the majority, as well as the soft outlines symptomatic of horses that are demonstrating good submission and unity with their riders.

This test brought together some of Brazil’s top dressage riders, including Leandro Aparecido Silva who represented his country at the last Pan American Games in 2003. On this occasion he rode both the first and third placed stallions representing the breeding prowess of Antonio Pereira’s Do Top Stud Farm, with Silêncio Do Top taking top honors with 65.583%. This talented rising eight-year-old, by Visqueiro, now owned by Paulo Salles, produced a test of remarkable regularity throughout, performing smooth-as-silk transitions apart from one very minor stutter from walk to canter. Under the saddle of Alexandria Wilson, another of Pereira’s products, Oceano do Top finished second (65.167%), while the stunning Portofino do Top was third (64.000%). Oceano is by one of the most famous Lusitano stallions, Afiancado de Flandes to whom Antonio Perreira pays great tribute as a true ambassador for his breed in terms of producing top quality offspring. Leandro Aparecido Silva has been riding Portofino for just one year and this was their first Prix St. Georges so he admitted that he hadn’t expected to win at this stage in their partnership. “Portofino did not perform to the best of his ability because the footing was a little soft. Portofino is normally easier to ride than Silencio because he has greater flexibility. Silencio is very strong but finds the lateral movements more difficult.” In Leandro’s opinion, Silencio is more likely to be his horse for next year’s Pan American Games being hosted on his home soil in

PHOTO CREDIT: The stunning Portofino do Top ridden into third place by Leandro Aparecido Silva in the Prix St. Georges © 2006 Ney Messi