Roger Clementino riding Nilo VO (Visir x Zico), bred by Victor Oliva of Ilha Verde Stud Farm © Ney Messi/ABPSL

Following their historic performance during the Grand Prix at the CDI3* in São Paulo, Brazil, just three weeks ago, Rogério Clementino has once again taken the dressage world by storm and earned his ticket to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The ever modest, Afro-Brazilian Clementino, who is always quick to acknowledge his extremely humble origins, admitted, “I should have been more calm. I started the test asking myself too much, and this may have messed things up a little.” (A reference to the fact that he wasn’t able to improve upon the 68.5% individual score awarded by American judge Axel Steiner during the previous Olympic qualifier!)

Of course, Clementino’s regular partner on this momentous occasion was the stunning grey 13-year-old Lusitano, Nilo VO, bred and owned by Victor Oliva of Coudelaria Ilha Verde. This Olympic qualification success validates the years of work that have underpinned his Lusitano breeding programme, and he reaffirmed his dedication to Clementino’s training by acknowledging that “he has such great talent.” Oliva continued by recalling, “I remember how Hortência suffered during Olympic years,” in reference to his ex-wife, Hortência Marcari, a former basketball star and the first Brazilian player to be inducted into the WNBA Hall of Fame.

The dressage jury for this event was headed by Belgium’s Mariette Withages, FEI Bureau member and chairperson of their dressage committee, who also recognized the stunning performance by runner-up Luiza Almeida, riding another handsome Lusitano, Samba, who is owned by her father, Manuel Tavares Almeida, proprietor of Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga stud farm. Almeida and the nine-year-old Samba were well rewarded for their superb efforts, receiving 66.667%, their highest ever dressage score, which also sets them on the road to Hong Kong. If she succeeds in repeating her performance at the fifth and final CDI3* next month (May 9–11 in São Paulo), Almeida, at the tender age of 16, will become the youngest ever equestrian competitor in Olympic history – a distinction currently held by fellow countryman Rodrigo Pessoa, who made his first Olympic showjumping appearance in Barcelona 1992, at the age of 19.

Luiza Almeida riding Samba (Inca x Habíl) © Ney Messi/ABPSL

The complete dressage jury in São Paulo comprised: Mariette Withages, Stephen Clarke (GBR), Maribel Alonso (MEX), Victor Figuiroa Silva (CHI) and Cel Salim Nigri (BRA).

There was no doubt that the eyes of Brazil were watching a dressage dream unfold as news of Clementino’s achievement was broadcast by one of the country’s most important local TV stations, Globo Network, focusing on the fact that Clementino’s introduction to Lusitano horses began just seven years ago when he was employed by Coudelaria Ilha Verde to clean the stables! Now, the 25-year-old’s remarkable talent has place him among the top dressage riders in the world, and earned him the right to compete in an Olympic dressage arena.

Brazil owes its recent success in the dressage arena to the commitment and dedication of its many Lusitano breeders, under the umbrella organization ABPSL (Associação Brasileira de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano: http://www.associacaolusitano.org.br) in recognizing the talented potential of this Baroque breed that has now become such a competitive force with world-class capabilities. Selectively breeding for the best dressage qualities has finally claimed the spotlight and earned the global attention they justifiably deserve.

Next month (May 10), Victor Oliva will host his International Brazilian Lusitano Auction in São Paulo, and all the horses can be viewed on the Ilha Verde website: http://www.cavalolusitano.com.br

If you are interested in buying or learning more about Brazilian-bred Lusitano horses, places are still available with a tour group to Brazil in May 2008. You will be invited to attend the International Lusitano Festival organized by ABPSL in São Paulo, as well as Ilha Verde’s annual auction. We will also be visiting stud farms where you will have the opportunity to ride every day and participate in traditional equestrian activities. Please contact jean@jeanllewellyn.com, or telephone +1 250 247 9109 (Pacific Canada time zone) for the May tour or other dates during 2008.

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