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HorseDayHistory
Capable of keeping a cool head under pressure, highly intelligent and so connected to the wishes of his rider, that the two seem as one. The Lusitano shows his great versatility and strength in Dressage, Working Equitation, Carriage Driving, Grand Prix Jumping and Rejoneo and of course Classical Riding.
He is classical too in appearance, and I find he leaps off the canvasses of Old Masters in European art galleries. Esteemed throughout history, it is today that this noble breed enjoys a renaissance, having the potential to become one of the most sought after horses in the world.
The Lusitano derives its name from lusitania, the Latin word for Portugal and its origins can be traced back to 25000 bc.
It is uncertain whether this native breed of Iberia was influenced by the arab horse, brought over by the moors or whether it was the other way round, either way, it is the oldest saddle horse in the world.
In times gone by, when landowners may be called to fight for their king at any moment, they needed ways to keep in training. Far away on their farming estates, and with little else to train with, it was the bulls that were called upon for battle practice... hence the bullfight. These moves practiced by horse and rider were important factors in the breeding selection of this highly skilled war horse.
