The Lusitano Society Annual Breed Show
17th - 18th July 1999

by Sue Wingate

Joaquin Rodrigues displays Doma Vaquera techniques

BHS Dressage competitions were held on the Saturday and the Classical Riding Club and Freestyle tests on Sunday. The latter were particularly enjoyable since they encourage a more expressive way of riding. Since she is such a naturally gifted exponent of riding free style it wasn't exactly a surprise when Diane Thurman-Baker won both the CRC Elementary and the Elementary Freestyle to Music on Angie O'Rourke's promising young horse Milreis, in addition to winning the Advanced class on Lucca. Purebred Spanish horses were judged by Jo Rolph on Sunday. Dr Melissa Hack's Hilusion won the in-hand Purebred Spanish title and was also judged best ridden Spanish horse, with Mrs Barham's Amoroso XXVIII in second place. Yeguada Iberica's fine bay filly Campera was chosen as the best Purebred Spanish Filly.

Both days ended with a Parade Class, although the class on Sunday was the most interesting. With so many riders in traditional Spanish and Portuguese dress displaying their horses in the arena, the sun and clouds of sand enveloped the figures, making it look for all the world like a scene at an Iberian festival! Richard Lüst's grey stallion Granero was adjudged the best parade horse of his breed but, once again, Juno caught the judge's eye and took the parade awards for Best Lusitano and Best Overall Parade Horse. This class provided the Show with an entertaining concluding spectacle and we can only hope that this year's Show will be as good.

Richard Lüst & Granero in the 'Grand Parade'

The Lusitano Plate for Lusitano Breed Champion was won by Juno.
The Thurlow-Champness Cup for Best Ridden Purebred Mare was won by Ilustrada.
The Rietveld Challenge Trophy for Ridden Purebred Lusitano Championship was won by Jasmin.
The Monty Memorial Cup was won by Lucca.
The Jackson Cup - Best Purebred Spanish Parade Horse was won by Granero & Richard Lüst.
The Outen Challenge Cup - Best Partbred Iberian Parade Horse was won by Koh-I-Noor and Jane Hodge.
The De La Vila Trophy - Best Lusitano Parade Horse was won by Juno and Hilary Linnett.
The Portuguese Tourist Office Cup - Best Overall Parade Horse was also won by Juno and Hilary Linnett.