Submitted by Kyla Sneddon-Vlach: Arrayan LAM, 2005 Lusitano Stallion, owned by Donna Russo. One of the kindest, most wonderful horses I’ve met in my lifetime. A GP school master and celebrity in Mexico, Arrayan helped his owner achieve her gold medal last year. After losing my own horse very suddenly this past winter, Arrayan (or grandpa, as I affectionately call him) and his generous owner are sharing his wealth of knowledge and allowing me to tackle my silver medal goals and expand my own education in ways that I did not see happening for many years. I can’t possibly talk about this horse, this breed, and this part of my life without all the love and gratitude! Photo by Tamara with the Camera
This month on YourDressage we are highlighting the Lavish Lusitano!
We asked our social media followers to share a photo of their favorite Lusitano or Lusitano cross, and tell us a little about them, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming gallery or to share a story about their partnership with the YourDressage community.
This is Rhum do Vouga, my new partner from Vitor Silva’s Sons of the Wind. He is the sweetest, smartest, and most lovable guy. I’m just amazed at the strong partnership we developed in such a short time. There’s something so heart warming and familiar in him- he feels like home for me and I’m so lucky and grateful to get to be his rider. – Autumn S.Cacador LS best horse ever my true friend and partner. – Amy C.Nobel Das Figueiras- 9 yo International GP horse and such a wonderful being. He and I are forging a new partnership – I am loving the journey with him! – Judy S.This is my gorgeous and much loved 10-year-old stallion, Maximo Do Castanheiro, bred and trained by Vitor Silva’s Sons of the Wind – Classical Dressage School & Lusitano Sales. With his extravagant gaits, huge heart, exceptional good looks, and unbeatable temperament, Maximo is always a crowd favorite. As an older adult amateur, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to ride a horse of this caliber, but Maximo is eager to please, beautifully balanced, and truly a joy to ride – even at the upper levels. He is a wonderful ambassador for the Lusitano breed! – Donna C.📸 Sue Evans This is my mare, Amaluna. From old lines. Brio, Fierce, sensitive, Bold, protective… she is a powerhouse but elegant. – Hera M.Legendario Dos Diamantes; photo by Q2 Photography – Allison M.This is my Lusitano gelding Matusalem CLB “Mateo”. I inherited him from his forever mom, a close family friend, who passed away last year after a 5-year fight with cancer. I started working with him a year after she got sick, while he stayed with me and my mom at our ranch. He’s coming 11 this year and schooling 3rd level, with scores up to 76.9% (including 10s!) at 2nd level! He is truly an amazing boy with a willing mind and a bright future.❤️ – Cayla D.Vaquarius – Allison M.Octagon DC – Pati P.Belem CR, imported from Cavallo Real, Brazil as a long yearling. 21 now and still going strong! LOVE HIM❤️🐴 Brooke Louise Creative photo – LaVonne S.This is my student’s 9 year old ABPSL mare Nefertiti da Raposa. Quiet and kind, but forward and sensitive, she’s got the trademark quick thinking and athleticism the breed is valued for. She has safely carried children, husbands and grandmas, and excels in both dressage and working eq. Her owner is relocating and she is looking for the next person she will bring joy to every day. – Max G.Marqueasa DC. Level 5 working equitation and level4 dressage. Sired by Campeador. Genie Images – Dawn M.My dream Friend do Vouga. 15 year old lusitano stallion currently competing intermediate 1. So patient and forgiving of my mistakes. A true schoolmaster – Tonya S.Beduino LAM, 2006 Lusitano Stallion, dream maker and professor. I earned my USDF Gold Medal with him in 2025. A partner I will never forget and to whom I will always feel deep gratitude. 📸: KTB Creative Group – Heather J.Drusco! Dru Dru is an 18yo Lusitano that I lease from my best friend. He went PSG last year with her before suffering a tendon injury. I moved to her town of Durham, NC the day I sadly had to put down my 8yo horse last summer. I took over rehab on Dru when both of us needed time to heal. Neither of us were doing what we wanted to do. Neither of us were ready to open up. We were both sad and closed off. And together we healed. It was slow. It had its ups and downs. But we forged a partnership of true reliance and trust. We did our first show together at Intro level this month. I cried coming down centerline (well, until he started bucking and then I laughed, because, horses). We haven’t even gotten to canter yet and I can’t wait for the day we do. – Susi H.Quatrocento Interagro at our first show -Heather S.Qutaiba Interagro ridden by 13 year old Sophie Eyles – Tanya Hermann DressageDeodoro V.O – Chelsea A.Brooke Louise Creative image – Allison M.Hadrian Interagro – Tyra V.Sargento HI – Chelsey M.Hawk Interagro 05/2025 – Peggy N.Tico our young 3 year old Lusitano. Handsome, affectionate, ⭐️ to be. From breeder Vitor Silva’s Sons of the Wind – Marie-Pierre B.Best of friends Olympia and Taylor. Olympia is an 8 year old Lusitano who has taught this jr rider to trust and be trusted. – BonnieObelisco Mor, who is imported from Mexico – Sharilyn G.My gorgeous PSL boy. 💕 – UnknownZarcão do Nicco, 22 years young and getting younger each day! I’m so lucky to have this wonderful schoolmaster in my life: he wasn’t at all what I expected or envisioned when I planned my horse-buying experience as an adult amateur, but he is exactly what I needed and he makes my heart so full. I couldn’t ask for a better partner and teacher. Thank you to Carol Meise for trusting me with her heart horse so that now he can be my heart horse ❤️ – Kait G.Quarta do Sagres ❤️🔥 6 year old Lusitano mare bred and broke in Brazil by Haras Vale da Raposa and imported to the United States. Currently living her best life and will be experiencing all the things this summer in Maine. – Kristen K.2017 Theo’s Chocolate Lusitano. Showing 1st level in 2025. Working on 2nd- 3rd level in 2026 amateur owner riding. – Katie G.My other 13 year old Lusitano, Iraki LAM, nickname “Rocco Taco” or “Tiny Dancer”! 🌮🕺🏿 Bred and raised by Mafer Del Valle Albergaria. Imported as a six year old. He is truly a gorgeous representation of the breed. Currently schooling the Grand Prix. He’s the sweetest boy and always tries so hard. – Julia T.This is my Baby Q ❤️ I bought Quantico VS from Vitor and Maggie when he was 2.5. I’ve watched him grow from a naughty, spunky, little foal to a spectacular sport horse with 3 beautiful gaits, a willing temperament, and an incredible brain. He is currently being trained at Vitor Silva’s Sons of the Wind – Classical Dressage School & Lusitano Sales and I look forward to one day making our debut in the show ring. Most of all Quantico is an amazing partner and we are developing a bond through slow and steady training and respect for one another. – Gwyneth B.Queen Victoria, CAE Dressage Andrew Ryback Photography – Amina B.One of the Lusitano foals of Alter Real, the day was incredible opportunity to see where some of this beautiful breed originates! – Kait C.Carisma – Debby S.Maravilha SS is a 10 yr old mare imported from Portugal. After a life threatening injury shortly after arriving in the US she has fully recovered and her strong, brave Lusitano genes have carried her through. Mara has started showing in the PNW with Siggi Wolff aboard and she has settled into being an amazing presence in our lives. – Suzanne H.Lucifer; Bethany P. Photography – Maddie E.-C.Magno CMM, CAE Dressage – Amina B.Xerifino; Terri Miller Paintings and Photography – Allison M.Lebrijano – Allison M. USDF strongly recommends all riders wear protective headgear when mounted.Photo by SusanJStickle Photography – Tonna F.Hermes Do Braga – APSL FEI 🦄 SusanJStickle Photography – Megan C.A notable mention to my beautiful imported 13 year old Grand Prix Lusitano that I lost this past summer. His nickname was “Beefy”. He was a tremendous boy and is missed. He had been on the U25 team representing Portugal before his import to the U.S. 🤎🐴🤎 Terri Miller Photography and Paintings – Julia T.My heart Bohemio CR ❤️ Caitlin Demura Photography – Susan H.My 🤎 Xerezo MOR; Moonfyre Photography – Jenesena U.
