Festivities Begin Tonight for The 2011 Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction

Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), the official charitable partner for the event

 

Wellington, FL – The 2011 Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction is here at last. Enthusiasts and interested buyers spent the last few days trying their favorite horses and at 5:30 tonight the cocktail reception sponsored by Vhernier, Italian Jewelers and horse showcase get underway. Hosted by the Lusitano CollectionTM, the auction is considered one of the equestrian communities social events of the season and the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington Florida is literally transformed into a tropical oasis for horse lovers. The auction features Lusitanos from two top breeders: Interagro Lusitanos, the largest exporter of Lusitano horses in the world and winner of the prestigious “Best Breeder of the Year” Award by ABPSL in 2009/2010 and Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga, named the 2010 Best Breeder and Best Exhibitor at the 29th Lusitano International Horse Show in Brazil.

The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is a flurry of excitement and activity. Dressage Training Online has been taping the tryouts and will feature the entire event on their educational website, www.dressagetrainingonline.com. Reporter, Christina Mora and the WPTV news crew were on the scene and reporting on News Channel 5. Reporters from several other news outlets are scheduled throughout the next two days to cover the big event!

Those who crave a little extra horsepower will enjoy the exquisite collection of exotic cars provided by Motorcars of Distinction of West Palm Beach.

Meanwhile the vendors are setting up their booths with saddles, bridles, equipment and equine chic couture for horse and rider. Custom Saddlery sponsors of the custom made saddle to be given to tomorrow night’s high selling horse and providers of luxurious DSB boots for each horse are on hand. The Dressage Connection is also set up to provide all the equipment the new Lusitano owners will need to enjoy their horses. The Dressage Connection graciously donated beautiful leather halters with commemorative plates for each of the horses in the auction.

Along with a new Custom saddle, this year’s buyer of the high selling horse will also receive an ocean front resort weekend complements of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Singer Island, West Palm Beach.

Along with a presentation of each of the auction horses, tonight’s showcase will include exhibition rides by Heather Bender and Cherri Reiber. Bender will be riding Valete Interagro, a stunning Isabel stallion owned by Katherine Cook of Legendary Lusitanos. The pair will present an exhibition freestyle to music, featuring FEI and high school movements. Reiber will be driving two Lusitanos, Vistor Interagro and Zerbino Interagro in tandem, which entails riding one horse and driving a second horse at the same time. Driving in tandem is considered one of the most difficult of the driving disciplines, and Reiber’s presentation will be an impressive display of horsemanship and will showcase the versatility and trainability of these Lusitano horses.

Vhernier Jeweler will be auctioning off a ring to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), the official charitable partner for the event, and will have cases of their beautiful jewelry on display.

The exciting activities will culminate this Saturday, February 26th, when attendees will share in the exhilaration as the beautiful Lusitanos are auctioned off to excited buyers. Prior to the auction and gala dinner, Brazilian samba dancers will entertain guests as they enter the tent. The fiery music, traditional Brazilian costumes, and explosive dance moves will ensure that the culture of Brazil will accompany the world class Lusitano horses.

It is not too late to attend tonight’s showcase -there are a few tickets left which can be purchased at the door and full program tickets including Saturday night’s Lusitano Collection TM International Horse Auction are available online at www.lusitanocollection.com for details.