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<\/a><\/h1>\nNuno Oliveira, Portuguese Riding Master told us:<\/h1>\n\u201cNormally speaking, a horse should be trained to remain well balanced first, concentrating on rounding his paces, and augmenting his hind legs\u2019 action to compliment the forelegs\u2019 paces. Any extension should not be achieved through the reins\u2019 force, but rather by lowering and empowering the haunches. This is what the French called \u2018The Ramener\u2019 -putting the horse gently on the bit to correspond with the degree and length of pace.\u201d<\/h1>\n
This Casal Branco Estate bred Lusitano stallion and his rider show not only what Dr Jos\u00e9 Lobo de Vasconcellos is breeding for, but also illustrates the philosophy of Portuguese Riding Master, Nuno Oliviera:<\/p>\n
\u201cOften the hands\u2019 lightness is spoken of, but rarely the necessity for lightness in the legs. If the rider\u2019s legs are contracted and pressed against the horse\u2019s flanks, the horse will have no impulsion and, even worse than that, the rider\u2019s legs will contradict the ability of the rider\u2019s seat to push the horse forward.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe rider\u2019s body must remain erect in the saddle to ensure a good position. So many riders try to force themselves into a correct and more majestic position, but in reality the good seat is not always that which is the most pleasing to the eye of the beholder, but that which goes most easily and naturally with the horse\u2019s movements, without force.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr Jos\u00e9 Lobo de Vasconcellos\u2019 Casal Branco Estate (established in 1775) i is the time honoured Portuguese combination \u2013 winery and horse stud. He is a traditional breeder, believing that if you look to the quality of the horses, the horse will find its vocation. \u201cThe most important characteristics are those of functionality \u2013 we aim to breed strength and balance, a horse that is athletic and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n