Lusitano horses competing at the prestigious Gold Coast Dressage Association and Wellington Classic Dressage shows during the winter circuit in South Florida now have the opportunity to take home more than just ribbons. The Lusitano CollectionTM, which hosts The Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction, is sponsoring the High Point Lusitano Award that will be awarded to the highest scoring Lusitano at select dressage shows.
“We are really pleased that The Lusitano CollectionTM has the opportunity to sponsor the High Point Lusitano Award and we look forward to meeting the winner’s at each show. Lusitanos excel in the dressage world and we have sold many Lusitanos that are now successfully competing and will be taking part in the Florida winter dressage shows,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, who operates Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, one of the breeders who takes part in The Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction.
The Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction is a prestigious auction featuring Lusitano horses who are well suited for modern FEI-level equestrian sports, especially dressage, jumping and driving. It will take place in the United States, for the fourth consecutive year, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida on February 23-26, 2011. The auction, which features horses from the world’s top Lusitano breeders, gives interested buyers the unique opportunity to purchase Brazilian horses without the hassle of import fees or quarantine periods.
“The Lusitano CollectionTM is committed to presenting top quality Lusitanos and we are excited to support the equestrian community and the owners, trainers, and riders of these spectacular horses by sponsoring the High Point Lusitano Award. Because of the breed’s generous temperament and ease under saddle, both amateurs and professionals alike find them to be an excellent sport horse across all levels of competition. This makes the award unique in that it can be won by amateurs as well as seasoned Grand Prix riders,” said Gonzaga. “The Gold Coast Dressage and Wellington Classic Dressage shows feature some of the top riders in the world and we look forward to being part of the show scene this upcoming season.”
The Lusitano CollectionTM will present the High Point Lusitano Award at a variety of Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) shows and Wellington Classic Dressage (WCD) shows, including: the WCD Autumn Challenge, October 23-24; the GCDA Fall Fling, November 13-14, 2010; the WCD Holiday Challenge, December 11-12, 2010; the GCDA Opener CDI, January 21-23, 2011; the WCD Spring Challenge CDI, February 10-13, 2011; and the WCD Challenge II. They will also present a GCDA Year End Lusitano High Point Award.
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The Wellington Classic Dressage and Gold Coast Dressage Assocation winter shows are held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, located in Wellington. The 111-acre world-class equestrian facility features a lighted covered arena as well as several open, new and improved show and schooling rings and 128 stalls in permanent barns.
For more information about Lusitano Horses or The Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction scheduled for February 23-26, 2011 in Wellington, FL, visit www.lusitanocollection.com. For more information on dressage shows in the Florida winter circuit, visit Gold Coast Dressage Association at www.gcdafl.org and Wellington Classic Dressage at www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com.
About Interagro Lusitanos
Founded in 1975 by Dr. Paulo Gavião Gonzaga to preserve the Lusitano breed, Interagro Lusitanos is now recognized as the world’s largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses. Dr. Gonzaga started with a small band of four mares and one stallion imported to Brazil from the breed’s native Portugal; to date nearly 800 horses populate the 1200-acre ranch outside São Paolo. Today, Cecilia Gonzaga manages the farm and operations. Interagro Lusitanos are handled, prepared, and evaluated from birth, with a handful of the best stock presented at auction each year. The annual Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction gives buyers a unique opportunity to evaluate, experience, and purchase top-quality Lusitano horses in the U.S., without the complications of importation and quarantine. Interagro Lusitano horses are now successfully competing, and winning, on four continents.
