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EQUINETOURISM.co.uk REVIEW: Morgado Lusitano, Lisbon, Portugal

Morgado Lusitano
Quinta da Portela , Cabe�o da Rosa- EN 116 , Alverca do Ribatejo, Portugal 2615-365
Telephone: 00 351 21 993 65 20 Fax: 00 351 21 993 65 29
geral@morgadolusitano.pt

www.morgadolusitano.pt

Equinetourism.co.uk REVIEW on Morgado Lusitano in Portugal...

If you want to ride beautifully with lightness, feel and empathy, Morgado Lusitano in Portugal provides a perfect setting and a unique opportunity to train with world class classical maestro, Rodrigo da Costa Matos on Grand Prix level Lusitano stallions! Dawn Westcott about her visit in July 2008. Equinetourism.co.uk *****



Relax by the swimming pool after riding


A guest sitting room



Lunch is served on the large, shady terrace



The peaceful gardens


Horsemanship
Question to Rodrigo:


Is there an important message you want to communicate to riders?

"To have respect and love for horses. Allow time for the horse to evolve and work with harmony, balance, lightness and impulsion.
It is important to give horses time - in their minds and bodies - to mature and to evolve the muscles. Don't train them too fast. Respect them."

Rodrigo Matos

I first heard about Rodrigo da Costa Matos when he visited the South West of England for a series of Classical riding clinics in 2008. He is a Principal rider at the legendary Escola Portuguesa d' Arte Equestre (Portuguese School of Equestrian Art) and a director of Morgado Lusitano, a top class classical riding facility just outside Lisbon.

Rodrigo Matos is a true horseman who puts you immediately at ease and genuinely wants you and your horse�to improve. He teaches empathy and horsemanship and at the forefront of his training is kindness and respect for the horse, with no forced outlines. For someone like me, from a natural horsemanship background, this was the perfect way to experience Classical riding. After two first class riding sessions with Rodrigo on my own horses, the clarity of the instruction stayed with me and enabled continued improvement. I had to learn more and organised a short trip to Morgado Lusitano for further training on the Lusitano stallions.

Arranging a visit to Morgado Lusitano
It was easy to arrange a visit as both Joao Carmona, the manager, and Ana Terese are two of the most helpful people you could ever hope to meet. They carefully - and tactfully - find out what you want to achieve so they can organise the perfect break for you. There is no trail riding at Morgado Lusitano. This is a top class facility for people who want to improve their riding, are willing to learn and would like to experience the feel of advanced high school stallions. So it's best to be totally honest about your riding ability and aims. Having said that, from a classical point of view, I'm a novice and although at the low end of their ability level, I was warmly welcomed, as I wanted to learn.

Easy to get to
The flight from Bristol is only 2.5 hours and Ana Terese was there to pick me up like a long lost friend. Morgado Lusitano is about 20 minutes from the airport and enjoys the advantages of being a stone's throw from the culture and excitement of Lisbon, while situated peacefully in its own considerable land overlooking the beautiful Tejo estuary. A couple of years ago Morgado Lusitano moved to this new location which centers around the beautiful Quinta de Portella estate house - and much work has gone into creating a quality, purpose built riding facility.

For the Guests
Guests enjoy comfortable accommodation in rooms adorned with antiques and have the run of the house, which includes a fabulous library, perfect for gathering after the day's riding - and an enticing swimming pool in the gardens, overlooking the Estuary. Dress is casual and you can be very much at ease here.

The other guests at Morgado are a truly international mix, with people from across the globe united by their love of good riding and Lusitano horses. During my visit, I met delightful people from Finland, New Zealand, the UK, South Africa, Australia and the UAE.

Morgado only accepts up to six riding guests at any one time - and lessons are with a maximum of two people, and most often, one to one - which was a huge bonus. Additional non-riding partners and friends can be accomodated, but the numbers are kept small. You therefore have the feeling of enormous space and a peaceful pace, in which you can both concentrate on your riding and truly relax. There is always a sun lounger free by the pool here!

The food at Morgado
The food at Morgado is healthy, fresh, home-cooked regional cuisine. Breakfast is served in the dining room, lunch outside on the huge terrace in the shade of an enormous tree, and dinner inside again. Drink the red wine - it's great. And you can help yourself to port, wine or soft drinks any time of the day. Other than arrival day, when you don't ride, I didn't spot any riders drinking at lunchtime though, in anticipation of their afternoon lesson! Later on, things are more relaxed.

The Riding instructors
Lessons are given by either Rodrigo Matos, or a similar level instructor.

Lusitano Stallions and the team
Morgado is home to around 25 elegant Lusitano stallions, schooled to Grand Prix level, some of whom are made available to guests and others who are there on behalf of international clients keen to have their horses schooled to perfection. There are sometimes one or two horses being prepared for sale - so if you're looking for a Lusitano, it is well worth checking out the gems being produced by Rodrigo and Charlotte.

It’s professional and friendly, with enthusiastic working students from all over the world, keen to progress under Rodrigo’s world class tuition. I met Rachel from the UK who already rides very well, so look out for her in the dressage arena when she returns after six months at Morgado! Regina from New Zealand had left her horses at home to pursue equestrian excellence and will reap the rewards for sure. The team is approachable and friendly and always encouraging.

Other Activities
As the centre of Lisbon is so accessible from Morgado, it is easy to head off there for shopping, a meal or a visit to see the Picadores of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art – a fantastic experience not to be missed!

My visit
During my stay, I rode three different stallions and watched numerous other lessons and training sessions. My reason for visiting Morgado was to establish exactly where I am with my riding and obtain clear objectives on what I need to work on, so I can progress. Once again, the clarity and quality of the instruction was superb and you cannot fail to improve. There is no doubt that Rodrigo Matos is a master trainer and anyone interested in riding beautifully should try to spend some time with him while he takes a two year sabbatical from the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art to teach at Morgado and at clinics all around the world. I'm certainly intending to make a return visit - but only after I've done my considerable homework – ‘Hours and hours of experience – it’s the only way to get your seat.’ says Rodrigo.

CLICK HERE for the Morgado Lusitano web page


The indoor arena


One of around 25 Grand Prix level Lusitano stallions resident at Morgado


The stable yard









Below: Dawn's lessons with Rodrigo





CLICK HERE for Morgado Lusitano web page on Equinetourism.co.uk


The Lusitano Horse

"In ancient times there was an Atlantic land of remarkable horsemen who were noted for their agile horses and their original method of combat with its superior horsemanship. This perfect bond between man and horse may have provided inspiration behind the legend of the Centaur - a [hybrid] creature believed to spring from the valleys of the Tagus."
from 'Lusitano, Son of the Wind' by Edicoes Inapa.

The Lusitano is believed to have evolved from indigenous ancient horses (possibly including the Sorraia), prior to the last Ice Age (which missed their habitat) and includes some arabian blood.

The Escola Portuguesa d' Arte Equestre (Portuguese School of Equestrian Art)

Founded in 1979, the Escola Portuguesa d' Arte Equestre is currently located at the Pal�cio Nacional de Queluz in Lisbon. Rodrigo Matos, director of Morgado Lusitano, is a Principal rider (Picadore) at the School.

The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art is the reconstitution of the Royal Picaria, Equestrian Academy of Corte Portuguese whose place of work was in the centre of Lisbon, which is now used as a Carriage Museum. Its teachings and tradition have continued to influence classical equitation in Portugal, largely because of the skills necessary for the practice of of equestrian bullfighting - which was the method of training horses for war. The highly-prized bay Lusitano stallions used at the school come from the Alter Real Stud.

A ridden display is given each Wednesday morning, during the summer months.

The EPAE is currently located at the Pal�cio Nacional de Queluz, 2745-191 Queluz, Lisbon, Portugal
Tel: 00 351 214358915
email epae@snc.min-agricultura.pt or epae@snc.pt
www.snc.min-agricultura.pt/epae

In around two years, the School will move to new facilities in the Centre of Lisbon which will offer a covered arena.


CLICK HERE for the Morgado Lusitano web page

CLICK HERE for the Morgado Lusitano web page
CLICK HERE for Dawn Westcott's article published in the Western Morning News

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