Lusitano
At Hilltop Farm, we are delighted to focus on the Lusitano, the Horse of Kings. We are expecting a 2012 foal and planning to breed for 2013 foal.
DESEJO DO CARACAO ASM
PHOTOS--Desi at 3-years-old.
Photo credits: Sarah Butterworth (glamour headshots).
DESI—Gorgeous and elegant, Desi is our pure Lusitano gelding. His creamy light palomino color is icing on the cake. He enjoys work and is very trainable. His generous temperament is typical of the breed—bold, smart, sensible and willing. At just 3 years old, he stands 15.3 hands. He was lightly started under saddle this summer at walk, trot and canter. Fun on the trail, great work ethic in arena. He will mature at 16.1 hands.
His ground-covering strides and light feet demonstrate excellent dressage ability with correct gaits and straight movement. Desi is power in motion. At the walk he easily tracks over by 8 inches and his canter is lovely and naturally uphill.
Desi's PSL (Pure Sangue Lusitano) pedigree includes the famous stallions Mistral do Top and Afiancado De Flandes from Brazil, on his sire's side. On his dam's side is the famous Imperador and Cravo from Portugal. Cravo, Sire of Imperador, is a well-known Veiga out of the Coudelaria Veiga stud farm. Veiga is a sub-breed of the Lusitano known for their bullfighting. Veiga Characteristics include strong hocks, flexible backs, impulsion, agility, beautiful necks, extreme courage and desire to please. Desi carries a high percentage of Veiga in his bloodlines.
History
Art by Sharon Rajnus
The Lusitano is an ancient horse breed from the Iberian Peninsula, which is modern day Portugal and Spain. Like their cousin, the Spanish Andalusian, the Portuguese Lusitano reflects centuries of careful breeding and contribution to the equine history throughout Europe. The Portuguese name, "Puro Sangue Lusitano" (PSL), means pure-blooded Lusitano. The Lusitano is the aristocrat of Baroque horses celebrated annually at the National Lusitano Horse Fair in Golega, Portugal.
Brazil has become the largest country of Lusitanos in the world, with lineages preserved directly from Portugal, and celebrated annually at the International Lusitano Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Interagro, Brazil is the largest Lusitano breeding and export center in the world. There are four main lineages preserved of Lusitano horses: Andrade, Portuguese State Coudelaria Nacional, Alter Real and Veiga, the most rare.
Today’s Lusitanos are recognized world-wide for their ability to perform well in a variety of modern-day equestrian disciplines. The Lusitano is noble with a docile temperament, forming an intimate bond with his rider, resulting in a smooth, obedient performance, full of both energy and gentleness. Lusitanos compete in western pleasure, dressage, eventing, hunter hack, pleasure driving, formal carriage driving, contemporary and historical costume classes, and trail. The breed’s brilliance for collected work makes it a natural for dressage. In its native Portugal the Lusitano is still used for mounted bullfighting, showing agility, intelligence, and courage. Steeped in the tradition of its historical links to the military, the Lusitano excels at the classical training methods of the Haute École (airs above ground).
The most compelling behavioral characteristic of the Lusitano breed is its exceptional temperament — brave, noble and docile with a kind desire to please. Distinguishing features include convex profile, sloping croup, powerful neck and hindquarters, high-stepping gait, and thick mane and tail. The strong natural ability of the Lusitano to elevate himself and travel in a collected way, up in the bridle is balanced, smooth and "uphill" with lift.
In 1967 the Portuguese Stud Book (Livro Genealogico Portugues de Equinos) was officially introduced under the responsibility of the APSL, Portuguese Association of Lusitano Horse Breeders (Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano). American-bred Lusitanos are represented by the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) for revision into APSL. Brazilian-bred Lusitanos are represented and revised by the ABPSL (Brazilian Association for Pure-bred Lusitano Horses).