PORTUGAL’S LUSITANO HORSE FAIR

It is claimed that the Lusitano horse is the oldest saddle horse in the world, ridden for over 5000 years.

There is archaeological evidence in the Iberian Peninsula (modern day Spain and Portugal) that indicates the origins of the Lusitano horse date back to at least 25,000 BC – in the form of its primitive ancestor, the Sorraia breed.

They were the first choice not only for European kings but also for famous crusaders and warriors such as William the Conqueror, who is said to have had two black stallions at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and Richard the Lionheart who rode his during the crusades.

With such a long and celebrated history, it is not surprising that the Lusitano horse is still popular today. So popular in fact that there is an entire 10-day fair dedicated to it in the small town of Golegã in Portugal…

FACT BOX
Visit Portugal: visitportugal.com/en
Visit Alentejo: visitalentejo.pt/en/
Lusitano Trail Rides: lusitanotrailrides.com/
AtJuditeTour: facebook.com/atjuditetour/
TAP Air Portugal: www.flytap.com or call 0345 601 0932

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Chantal Cooke is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster and co-founder of PASSION for the PLANET. Chantal is passionate about tourism being used as a force for good.  You can follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter @chantalcooke and on Instagram @Chantaldcooke