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

by Sue Wingate

'Quina' and Ross Algar

The Show was held at the Turville Valley Stud, which proved an idyllic setting where time seems to have stood still, and was blessed with possibly the most glorious weather of the summer. The sun blazed from cloudless skies and did much to enhance the atmosphere of the event, which was successfully staged over two days. The Purebred Lusitano in-hand classes took place on Saturday and were judged by Dr Manuel Braga from the APSL, commencing with the fillies 1-3 years, who competed for the Johnson Tilly Plate.

Hilary Linnett started the Show in the way she was to carry on, by winning with her newly acquired Quina (Eleito x Zina). It was the beginning of a highly successful weekend for Hilary and followed her enterprising journey to compete at the Lisbon Show with her stallion Juno. It was almost certainly a first for a stallion, having been bred in Portugal, to go back to his native country to compete at the premier show. Juno was ridden there by Ross Algar to finish 4th in both the Medium and Advanced Medium Dressage tests, which was a most creditable effort and no doubt made the long journey and extreme heat (approximately 40 degrees!) much more bearable. Whilst there, Hilary spotted Quina and brought her back to the UK. Her good judgement was quickly rewarded by the filly's success at this, her first show. Eleanor Johnson's Remisso (Dayak x Carente) was the colt's equivalent and although the colt was shown by her sister, Gillian Russell, Mrs Johnson actually won her own trophy! Lucinda Wynn's charming gelding Jagosto triumphed in the class for geldings and Janet Hakeney's Lufa (Fandango x Xara) won the Russells Cup for Mares of 4 years and over.

'Juno' - In-hand Champion

It was disappointing not to see more mares with foals at foot - in fact, only two foals appeared before the judge in their class. Not for the first time I wondered why it is thought necessary to have foals dragging their handlers around as they try to keep up with their dams. Foals will not gallop off in these situations since it would be contrary to their natural instincts and if they were left free they would certainly be seen moving to better effect. Both the foals were from the Turville Valley Stud and were sired by the Stud's resident Stallion, Diabo. Dr Braga preferred Sereia (out of Gilberta) to Sanchia.

'Lucca' & Diane Thurman-Baker

There was an air of anticipation for the well-contested in-hand Purebred Stallion class. Despite the considerable opposition it was to be Hilary's day, with Juno (Danubio x Cartola) looking and moving at his best - in fact he was in sparkling form throughout the weekend. Bred by Francisco Cunho Bessa De Carvalho, he is a most striking individual and he still seems to be improving. Second in this class was Alison Wilkie's Jasmin, who gained her 'revenge' in the Ridden Stallion Class. Alison has put in many hours of patient schooling with this horse and it is now beginning to pay dividends; he was going beautifully, both in this class and in the Advanced Freestyle Dressage to Music, where he finished second to the invincible Lucca, ridden by Diane Thurman-Baker. Although a part-bred, Lucca seems more true to type than some purebreds! He is certainly a marvellous advertisement for the Lusitano x Connemara. Lucca's victory in the Ridden Part Bred class had a sense of inevitability about it ... … is there a part-bred in the country to beat him while he continues to perform so fluently under saddle? Lucinda Wynn took the class on Jagosto for the Best Ridden Mare, or in his case, Gelding. This combination was impeccably turned out and very well shown and victory was well deserved.

The "Pas de Deux"

On both days there were some very entertaining displays. Diane Thurman-Baker and Angela Fois performed a marvellous 'Pas de Deux' in traditional Portuguese costume - it was worth visiting the Show just to see them ride! It was obviously a well-practised routine but one that incorporated some demanding movements which were well timed and executed. It provided the perfect break for spectators between the more serious business of the show classes.

Late in the afternoon on both days, one of Spain's leading riders, Joaquin Rodrigues, gave a display of Doma Vaquera riding. The British Doma Vaquera Association had only recently been launched, thanks largely to the efforts of Richard Lüst of the Yeguada Iberica, who brought his own horse, Buccanero, to the Show for Joaquin to ride. Because of the high level of training required, which is based on a close understanding between horse and rider, few Doma Vaquera riders like to ride in public on a horse not their own, so we were fortunate to have the opportunity to see this interesting display.