New Lusitano Owner Wins Lusitano Book by Legendary Breed Founder Dr. Paulo Gonzaga at Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions

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Rebecca O’Connor was the happy recipient of a copy of the book The Lusitano Horse – Basic Lineages by Dr. Paulo Gonzaga, founder of Interagro Lusitanos. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Gladstone, NJ (September 27, 2011) – Rebecca O’Connor has certainly found herself surrounded by Lusitanos lately; she recently became the proud owner of a beautiful Lusitano bred by Interagro Lusitanos, and following her trip to Gladstone she is also the happy recipient of a copy of the book The Lusitano Horse – Basic Lineages by Dr. Paulo Gonzaga, founder of Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil, which is the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world. O’Connor, who is from Canton, Georgia, won the book in a raffle at the Lusitano booth during the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey.

O’Connor was thrilled to win the book and said she is looking forward to her Lusitano arriving at her home. O’Connor purchased Allure Interagro from Char Ann Ireland at The Dressage Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. “I have now completed my pre-purchase of Allure and am most excited as he is on his way from Pennsylvania to his new home in Atlanta,” she said. “I purchased him because I think Interagro’s Lusitanos make lovely dressage prospects because they have good steady minds that focus on their rider and they have gaits I can actually ride – and not see the chiropractor afterwards!”

O’Connor said her trip to Gladstone was an exciting experience. “To see such quality in both horses and riders is an experience I will not forget. Winning the raffle at the Interagro Lusitano booth was an added bonus!” she said, adding that she is also excited about bonding with her new Lusitano. “My plans with Allure include a long period of getting to know one another, which will work out well since the show season is almost over. I plan to compete him starting next season and attend various clinics to improve our skills. Even though I don’t know him well, there is something special about his attitude. I looked up his grandsire Apolo Do Mirante in The Lusitano Horse — Basic Lineages, and it was interesting to note that his offspring are known to have good temperaments, elevated movements and a lot of personality.”

The Lusitano breed has made a strong showing in the United States in recent years, thanks in part to the dedication of Interagro Farms and the fact that they breed ideal mounts for professional riders as well as amateurs. Dr. Gonzaga stated that Interagro’s intent has been to develop a bloodline of Lusitanos that are competitive in modern equestrian pursuits, including the FEI level dressage. “I am most impressed with the quick mind of the Lusitano, their wiliness to learn and please and, above all, rideability. This is a breed that as it is introduced to the dressage community will without a doubt quickly grow in popularity,” O’Connor said.

In the book that O’Connor won, Gonzaga writes, “The objectives of Interagro’s breeding program are the preservation of the pure lineage groups, the crossing of pure animals from different bloodlines and the buildup of the Interagro horse, created from selected crosses of animals from the basic lineages according to a pre-defined and rigorous process.”

The Interagro horse is a modern Lusitano, a horse that excels in the traditional equestrian disciplines, from dressage and driving to jumping and working equitation. “To assure that our goals are and will always be met, we maintain the highest standards in breeding, training and post-sale assistance,” Dr. Gonzaga said. “We have a permanent staff of more than 60 competent professionals and also employ a group of renowned foreign professionals as consultants.”

Interagro Lusitanos can be purchased at auctions held throughout the year, including the recent 2011 National Auction and the 2012 Lusitano Collection auction. For prospective buyers unable to attend an auction, Interagro has recently begun offering private visits to the Brazilian farm with Sales Director, Mr. Peter van Borst. Each prospective buyer gets to experience Interagro in a unique way; from riding and driving the horses, learning the history of the farm, experiencing the Brazilian culture and food to appreciating the warmth and dedication that the Gonzaga family has for their horses, home, and country.

To learn more about Interagro Lusitanos, 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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