Lusitano Stallion Batistuta V.O. Is Two-for-Two after Winning Interagro Lusitano High Score Award at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge

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Carmen Franco and the Lusitano stallion Batistuta V.O. won the High Point Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 12, 2012) – Nan Sexton’s handsome Lusitano Batistuta V.O. rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF First/Second Level Test of Choice class with a 70.968%. Ridden by trainer Carmen Franco, the stallion’s score also helped him win the High Score Lusitano Award, sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world. The Holiday Challenge was the second show of Batistuta’s career, and the second time for the brilliant buckskin to earn the Lusitano High Score.

The High Score Lusitano Award, which is sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, recognizes the highest scoring Lusitano at select dressage shows on the Florida circuit and highlights the dynamic and competitive Lusitano breed. “I do enjoy the Lusitano breed,” said Franco, who trains for Sexton’s Southgate Farm. “This was Batistuta’s second show and there is no way to describe him except to say he is awesome. He’s a very talented and athletic horse with great gaits. He is only six years old, but he is a fun horse to ride and he has lots of positive energy. I think that the future will take him to the FEI level.”

The talented stallion was bred in Brazil and imported by Sexton. “We want to thank Interagro Lusitanos for sponsoring the Lusitano High Score Award,” Franco said. “I can’t say enough wonderful things about Interagro and their founder Dr. Paulo and his daughter Cecilia. We have a couple of Lusitanos from Interagro and they are wonderful horses.”

Cecilia Gonzaga, the Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos, congratulated Batistuta on winning the Lusitano High Score Award for a second time in a row. “Batistuta’s show career is off to a great start and we are so excited to recognize his outstanding achievements in the show ring. We truly enjoy sponsoring the Lusitano High Score Award because we love to promote this talented and versatile breed,” Gonzaga said. “Lusitanos excel in the show ring and one of their endearing attributes is their rideability and trainability, which makes them perfect for both amateurs and professionals.”

Interagro Lusitanos was founded in 1975 with the goal of preserving the Lusitano breed. Located on a 1200-acre ranch outside of São Paulo in Brazil, the farm is home to 700 Lusitano horses. “We have imported many Lusitanos into the United States and as competition and performance horses they are hard to beat,” Gonzaga said. “Interagro’s mission has always been to develop a bloodline of Lusitanos that are competitive in contemporary equestrian pursuits, including FEI level dressage.”

Interagro once again won the Best Breeder Award at the 3rd Annual Lusitano Festival at Aguas de Lindoia in November of 2011. “It’s exciting to see that our tradition in breeding excellence continues,” Gonzaga said, adding that the Brazilian farm has opened their doors for private buying trips for prospective buyers. “We welcome buyers to come and visit us to learn the history of our farm and experience our amazing horses. It will be a trip of a lifetime because once you experience the amazing Lusitano, your life is never the same again.”

To learn more about Interagro Lusitanos, or a buying trip to the Brazilian farm, visit their website at www.lusitano-interagro.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 700 horses populate the 1200-acre ranch outside São Paulo. 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.

For more information contact:
Johnny Robb – JRPR, Inc.
561-753-4608
jrpr@mac.com

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