Interagro Lusitanos Finish Big at WE Co. Working Equitation Championships in Brazil

Wellington, FL - Interagro Lusitanos showed talent and versatility across the divisions in Sao Paulo, Brazil at February's 2014 CIA de Equitacao de Trabalho, or Working Equitation Championships, including gaining big wins and top national rankings for some of its strongest horse-and-rider combinations. Ditador Interagro, a grey Lusitano ridden by Alexandre Souza, and Divisadeiro Interagro, a chestnut ridden by Johnny Miranda, won their Beginners Class and Preliminary Class, respectively. A strong reserve finish in the Class Principal, the most prestigious division of the show, was delivered by Xaveco Interagro, a grey Lusitano ridden by Nuno Souza Araujo and owned by Haras Baxetro.As Brazil's most prestigious working equitation competition series of the year began, Interagro Lusitanos also earned national top ten standings. Rider Nuno Araujo delivered strong performances in both Young Horse divisions. Young Horse A saw exceptional performances from two Interagro horses, with the athletic Epidauro Interagro, owned by Manége Santa Adelaide, placing fifth and the buckskin Furacao Interagro placing sixth. It moved both Interagro Lusitanos to third and second, respectively, in overall national rankings as of first leg in the seven-part series.

In Young Horse B, on even-mannered palomino Lusitano, Estoico Interagro, owned by Manége Santa Adelaide, Araujo was fifth, positioning the Manége Santa Adelaide-owned horse third overall in WE Co. Working Equitation Championship national standings after the leg of the series.

Johnny Miranda rode the energetic new star, Baliel Interagro, owned by Mr. Roberto Rauh, to seventh in the Intermediate Class, which was good enough to move the pair into first place in the national standings. The Beginners class win on Divisadeiro Interagro also put put an Interagro Lusitano on the national (ninth) top ten for its division in the 2014 series.

“I am so proud of our horses and riders,” said Cecília Gonzaga, Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos. “Working Equitation means so much to Brazilian horsemanship, it is a true test of a working and willing relationship. It says our horses are not only athletes but partners, which is why the Lusitano is the modern sport horse.”

WE Co. Working Equitation Competitions aim to demonstrate the abilities of the saddle horse and the skill of its rider to negotiate obstacles commonly encountered in day-to-day fieldwork in the shortest possible amount of time. CIA Working Equitation Competitions may be held at agricultural venues including rodeos, fairs, horse shows and farms as well as private events. See http://www.ciadeequitacaodetrabalho.com.
 
About Interagro Lusitanos
Founded in 1975 by Dr. Paulo Gavião Gonzaga to preserve the Lusitano breed, Interagro Lusitanos is 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, and since that first generation has produced more than 2,185 Lusitanos. Today, 450 horses populate Interagro's 1200-acre, six-barn showplace ranch (which has appeared on the covers of 21 international magazines). In 2009, Interagro was recognized as ABPSL 'Lusitano Breeder of the Year.'

To learn more about Interagro Lusitanos and upcoming auctions and events, please visit www.lusitano-interagro.com.