Rare US Equestrian Opportunity in Massachussets

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Rare US Equestrian Opportunity in Massachussets

Luisitano_horse Lady Sylvia Loch and Dom Francisco de Braganca will be co-teaching a clinic on classical horsemanship in the Portugese tradition in Massachussetts, March 11-13, 2005.

If I weren't previously engaged, I'd be there.

(Lady Loch will also be teaching in Malibu)

UK and Portugal Nobility to Teach Classical Equitation March 11-13 at Casa Lusitana -- Tyngsboro, Massachusetts

TYNGSBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2005--Casa Lusitana

-- Lady Sylvia Loch, Acclaimed Author of the Royal Horse of Europe, and Dom Francisco De Braganca, Whose Family Ruled Portugal from 1640 to 1910, Will Instruct and Lecture on Europe's Royal Court Classical Horsemanship and Its Value to Contemporary Riding

Lady Sylvia Loch and Dom Francisco de Braganca will teach together for the first time in the United States, bringing their extraordinary knowledge of the classical royal court riding arts to Casa Lusitana on March 11-13, 2005. Casa Lusitana is the only farm in North America dedicated exclusively to the Portuguese equestrian arts, culture and horse, continuing the centuries-old traditions of horsemanship laid down by European royal riding masters.

Lady Loch, in addition to being a noted instructor and trainer, is the world's recognized authority on the history of the Iberian Horse and classical riding principles. Her work includes The Royal Horse of Europe, Dressage, The Classical Rider, The Classical Seat, and others. In 1986 Lady Loch was awarded the Cavalo d'Or from The Portuguese Stud Book and she maintains an on-going relationship with the Spanish Riding School. (www.classical-dressage.net)

Dom Braganca, a member of the Portuguese royal family, trained with the Master Nuno Oliveira. Today he teaches and trains at his farm near Lisbon, Portugal, Quinta de Archino, where Lady Loch joins him for specialized programs. In earlier years Dom Braganca performed as a "forcado," an assistant to the Portuguese mounted bullfighter.

In Portugal's court, equestrian artistry and entertainment was demonstrated by a horse and rider "dancing" with a wild bull in a small, confined space. Unlike other countries, Portugal's mounted bullfighters have no tradition of drawing blood from their respected adversary. This riding style -- termed "classical" -- demands agility, speed and calmness in the face of danger from the horse/rider partnership and is the source of many of the Haute Ecole dressage (advanced training) movements seen today in competitions such as the Olympics.

Says Casa Lusitana's Proprietor/Chief Rider Jorge Gabriel, "We are privileged to host Lady Loch and Dom Braganca at our US quinta (farm). Though both are recognized throughout the classical dressage world for their exceptional abilities, we equally appreciate their personal warmth and graciousness, honored qualities of my homeland Portugal. Through our special guests, Casa Lusitana continues to bring yet another taste of Portugal's elegant and enjoyable equestrian culture to our students, clients and friends."

At Casa Lusitana on Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, Lady Loch and Dom Braganca will instruct riders individually and in groups on techniques that bring horse and rider into relaxed and graceful unison.

On Sunday, March 13 in a full day program sponsored by the Equine Journal and Casa Lusitana, Lady Loch will lead a morning "un-mounted" workshop and give a luncheon/afternoon lecture and slide presentation on the Classical Seat, the subject of her numerous books, videos and CDs.

Casa Lusitana, owned by Jorge Gabriel and located in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, is a Portuguese riding estate that imports, trains, sells the purebred Portuguese horse, the Lusitano, and provides classical dressage riding instruction to riders at all levels. Casa Lusitana's Portuguese Riding Academy members perform frequently in exhibition, demonstrating the 17th and 18th Century courtly riding arts. www.casalusitana.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at 06:46 AM in Horse Posts | Permalink

Comments

I am interested to know if you are going to have your open house this labor day week-end. I would like to go and see your horses in person. Thanks Bev

Posted by: Beverly Pelletier | Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 11:29 AM