Merrimac, MA – June 15, 2011 – The Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts hosted its Pride of Portugal; The Lusitano Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2011. There was a field full of guests in attendance for the horse show, which showcased the beautiful Lusitano horses and highlighted the amazing Portuguese culture. This year, the event donated all proceeds to the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation for Breast Cancer. The event helped raise over $5,800 for the organization. Later this month during the PVDA “Ride for Life,” Sons of the Wind will demonstrate the quadrilles and athletic aires above the ground to the thousands in attendance for the worthwhile cause.
The event got underway 2 p.m. at the beautiful Sons of the Wind facility in Merrimac, Massachusetts. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy the Portuguese culture while watching the beautiful Lusitano horses perform. It began with a presentation of two horses from the Sons of the Wind Lusitano Breeding Program, which was followed by an exciting Couple Quadrille, where riders showcased their horses in beautiful costumes.
Next, Sons of the Wind Founder Vitor Silva entered the ring to showcase the art of long lining, where the horse performed the piaffe, passage, and pirouette. A beautiful Ladies’ Pas de Trois and an exciting working equitation demonstration followed, and then Silva and his son showcased the Lusitano’s versatility with a simulated bullfight.
One of the most exciting demonstrations of the day was the Aires above Ground. Silva and Assistant Trainer Julie Bottum each worked with a talented Lusitano and performed the challenging moves of the levade and the capriole for the enthralled crowd.
The event came to a close with the Ladies from around the Nation Quadrille, which included six horse and rider combinations, and the Portuguese Riding School Quadrille, with professional riders from Sons of the Wind. The horses and riders wore traditional Portuguese costumes during the quadrille, with the horses having been imported from Brazil just one week prior to the event. These horses and riders will now travel to Maryland to perform during the PVDA “Ride for Life” on June 25, 2011.
The Pride of Portugal; The Lusitano Festival was a huge success, promoting the Portuguese culture while also helping to raise money for a worthwhile cause.
About Sons of the Wind:
Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts currently has locations in Merrimac, Massachusetts, and Palm City, Florida. Founded by Portugal’s Vitor Silva, Sons of the Wind and its affiliated schools were incepted in response to the need for an establishment capable of providing the rider the opportunity to experience and understand the correctness of all the movements of dressage. These establishments offer training and schooling to horses and riders of different backgrounds and levels. Sons of the Wind is also a full service breeding facility for the talented Lusitano breed, as it is very important for the growth of the school to keep training horses with the potential to become great mounts and prospects for lessons and for sale.
For more information about Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts please visit www.sonsofthewindfarm.com.
For more information and PVDA’s Ride for Life please visit http://www.pvdarideforlife.org/.
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