Foundations
of the Lusitano
Discover the Foundations of the Lusitano
Bloodlines • Breeders • Horses • Living Heritage
A six-day immersive journey into the horses, breeding traditions and living heritage that shaped the Lusitano.
February 2027 | Portugal | Maximum 10 participants
Going Back
To The Source
What makes a Lusitano a Lusitano?
It is a question that goes far beyond a name on a pedigree.
For generations, Portuguese breeders have selected horses for courage, intelligence, sensitivity, functionality, beauty and an extraordinary willingness to work with people.
Different breeding traditions developed their own priorities and characteristics. Certain stallions and mares left an influence that can still be recognised generations later.
And yet every horse remains an individual.
Foundations of the Lusitano was created to explore this story through the horses themselves.
Over six days, we will journey into four of the great breeding traditions that have profoundly influenced the Lusitano:
Andrade • Veiga • Coimbra • Alter
We will explore where they came from, the horses that shaped them, the qualities breeders sought to preserve and how those influences can still be seen — and felt — in the Lusitano today.
It Began With a Conversation
When Lusitano Heritage shared the story of an old-style Andrade Lusitano, the response was extraordinary.
Thousands of Lusitano enthusiasts joined a conversation about the horses they remembered, owned and loved: horses valued not simply for extravagant movement, but for their courage, intelligence, versatility, soundness and character.
It raised a bigger question.
As the Lusitano continues to evolve for modern sport and a changing equestrian world,what are the qualities we must be careful never to lose?
Foundations of the Lusitano grew from that conversation.
We decided to go back to the source
Four Great Breeding Traditions
Throughout the week we will exploreAndrade, Veiga, Coimbra and Alter — their histories, breeding philosophies and influence on the modern Lusitano.
Our journey will include specially arranged visits connected with the traditions we are studying, giving us the opportunity to hear their stories, see horses and descendants, and understand the breeding decisions behind them.
We will look beyond the famous names.
Which stallions changed a breeding programme?
Which mares quietly shaped generations?
What qualities were breeders selecting for?
Which crosses proved particularly influential?
And what remains visible in their descendants today?
This is not about placing every Lusitano neatly into a bloodline category.
It is about developing the eye and understanding to recognise influences while always seeing the individual horse standing in front of us.
From Pedigree to Horse
Pedigree tells us where a horse came from.
The horse in front of us tells us what we actually have.
Back at Lusitano Heritage, we bring what we have discovered into the living horse.
Through practical sessions, riding, demonstrations and discussion, we will explore how breeding, morphology, character and training meet.
We will consider conformation and functionality, temperament, movement, classical training, Portuguese tack and disciplines, and the qualities to look for when choosing a Lusitano.
Along the way, we will be joined by breeders, riders, trainers and specialists who bring different perspectives and generations of experience to the conversation.
There will be opportunities to ask questions, compare horses and, above all, learn by observing.
Learn to recognise the Lusitano before you learn to read his pedigree.
Six Days of Living Lusitano Heritage
This is not a conventional riding holiday.
Riding is part of the experience, but it is one of the tools we will use to understand the horse.
Across six full days, the programme will combine visits, horses, history, practical learning and Portuguese culture.
The experience will include:
Exploration of four influential Lusitano breeding traditions
Specially arranged stud and breeder visits
Horses representing different breeding influences
Two riding sessions at Lusitano Heritage
Practical morphology and horse assessment
Classical training and demonstrations
Breeding, functionality, temperament and movement
Portuguese tack and equestrian disciplines
Conversations with breeders, trainers, riders and specialists
Five lunches
A traditional Portuguese Fado experience
Programme transport and airport transfers
A specially created printedFoundations of the Lusitano companion book
The detailed itinerary and individual visits will be shared as the programme develops.
Your Foundations Companion Book
Every participant will receive a specially created printedFoundations of the Lusitano companion book.
Created as part of the journey, it will bring together the histories, horses, bloodlines, photographs and observations we explore during the week — something to use while you are here and to take home as a record of the experience.
A Small Group by Design
Foundations of the Lusitano is limited to10 participants.
Keeping the group small allows us to visit places that would be difficult to experience with a large tour and, more importantly, creates time.
Time to observe horses.
Time to listen.
Time to ask questions.
And time for the conversations that often become the most valuable part of journeys like this.
Programme Investment
€2,950 per participant
Accommodation is deliberately separate, allowing you to choose the option that suits you.
Recommended accommodation in Ericeira
Twin room —€500 per person / 6 nightsSingle room —€900 / 6 nights
Alternatively, you are very welcome to arrange your own accommodation in Ericeira.
Guests staying independently will simply meet us at our designated Ericeira departure point each morning.
Who Is This For?
You do not need to be a breeder or an expert in Lusitano pedigrees.
This programme has been created for people who want to understand the Lusitano more deeply — riders, owners, prospective owners, breeders and those simply fascinated by the Portuguese horse.
If you have ever looked at a Lusitano and wonderedwhy he is the horse he is, this journey is for you.
Foundations of the Lusitano
Six days. Four great breeding traditions. Ten guests.
A journey into the horses, people and decisions that shaped one of the world’s great equestrian breeds.
18-23 February 2027 • Portugal