Carmen Franco and Vinho dos Pinhais Win Interagro Lusitano High Score Award During Gold Coast May Show
Wellington, FL (June 6, 2012) – Vinho dos Pinhais, a handsome Lusitano stallion ridden by trainer Carmen Franco and owned by Nan Sexton, showed off his star power and talent during the Gold Coast Dressage Association May Show. Vinho, a 10-year-old Lusitano imported from Brazil, earned the Lusitano High Score of the show with a 70.8% in the Fourth Level Test 3 class and also took home the Interagro Lusitano High Score Award.
Franco, who has been riding Vinho for three years, was thrilled with the stallion’s performance at the show. “He’s been showing Fourth Level this year and he’s stronger than ever,” she said. “We also rode the Prix St. Georges test for the first time at this show and he rode away with a 68.8% which makes me very happy.”
Franco said their goal with Vinho is to do the Small Tour next year. “Like all the Lusitanos I know, Vinho is very talented,” Franco said, adding that she is a longtime fan of the Lusitano breed. “I am also a longtime fan of Cecilia Gonzaga, the Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos, and her father Dr. Paulo. I can’t say enough wonderful things about them and their support of the Lusitano breed.”
The Gonzagas are the owners and founders of Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil, the largest breeder of Lusitano horses in the world, and sponsor the High Score Lusitano award at select shows in south Florida to recognize successful Lusitanos and their riders. “I want to thank Cecilia and her father for all they do for the Lusitano breed,” Franco said. “Sponsoring the Lusitano High Score Award is a wonderful way to recognize this talented and athletic breed for their ability to succeed at the upper levels of dressage.”
“It is our pleasure and privilege to sponsor the Lusitano High Score Award,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos. “The Gold Coast Dressage, Wellington Classic Dressage and International Horse Sport shows feature some of the top dressage competition in the world, and are integral competitions for international dressage riders. Many Lusitanos compete on these circuits and really stand out and we want to recognize them for their exceptional scores.”
Lusitanos are a talented and versatile breed and known for being great mounts for both amateur or professionals. “They have the mind and athleticism to succeed in many different endeavors,” Gonzaga said.
Interagro Lusitanos success in the breeding world has been well documented and they were named the 2009/2010 Best Lusitano Breeder by the ABPSL, and won the Best Breeder Award at a regional show in 2011. “It’s exciting to see that our tradition in breeding excellence continues,” Cecilia said, adding that the Brazilian farm has also opened their doors for private buying trips for prospective buyers. Interagro Lusitanos also hosts The Lusitano Collection® International Horse Auction and the Interagro Collection National Horse Auction each year, giving prospective buyers a chance to hand select the perfect Lusitano. The auctions are always an action-packed event, featuring everything from lively Samba dancers to exhibition rides to a showcase of demonstrations by each of the sale horses taking part in the auction. The Lusitano Collection® usually features young horses under saddle, while the National Auction features young foals and weanlings; this year, both auctions will be combined into one dynamic auction with a selection of trained, mature horses and younger prospects and will include horses both from Interagro and from Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga, a partner breeder who participates in the Lusitano Collection® auctions. The date for the combined auctions is set for August 25, 2012, and will feature an excellent selection of talented, athletic young Lusitanos.
To learn more about Interagro Lusitanos, or a buying trip to the Brazilian farm, visit their website at www.lusitano-interagro.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/interagro For more information on the combined auctions, travel information, or the horses, contact Interagro at info@lusitano-interagro.com or 917-363-0383.
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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 800 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.
Photo: Carmen Franco and the Lusitano stallion, Vinho dos Pinhais, owned by Nan Sexton, won the High Point Lusitano Award at the Gold Coast Dressage Association May Show. Sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world, the award recognizes the outstanding achievements of the Lusitano breed in the competitive world. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
