The International Lusitano Festival Returns to Lisbon: A New Chapter Begins

After a 15-year absence, the 2026 International Lusitano Festival returned to the heart of Lisbon, settling once again into the historic grounds of the Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa. For three days, breeders, owners, riders and Lusitano enthusiasts from around the world gathered around a shared focus: the celebration of a breed that continues to define Portuguese equestrian identity.

Following earlier editions hosted in Cascais, the move back to one of Portugal’s most emblematic equestrian venues felt both intentional and symbolic. The atmosphere at Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa offered more than just tradition — it delivered conditions that clearly prioritised horse welfare, with quality footing, structured organisation, and a setting that allowed horses to perform at their best without compromise.

It was a return, but also a reset. And in many ways, the 2026 edition of the International Lusitano Festival did not just come back — it evolved.

A Festival Looking Forward: A New Standard of Transparency

One of the most significant developments of this year’s edition came from APSL, which introduced a new level of transparency to the Model and Gaits competitions. For the first time, individual judging scores were made publicly available online. What might seem like a technical adjustment actually represents a meaningful step forward for the breed: breeders, riders and enthusiasts can now analyse the evaluation process in much greater detail.

The new scoring system provides access to the marks awarded for each horse, including walk, trot, canter, overall gaits, model and general impression — as well as the individual scores given by each judge. This changes the way results are interpreted. Instead of seeing only a final ranking, the public can better understand the reasoning behind each decision and the qualities that shape a champion Lusitano. For a breed where small details matter, this openness creates a stronger connection between judges, breeders and the wider Lusitano community.

A New Rhythm for the Championship

The 2026 festival also introduced a new structure to the week creating, in our opinion, a smoother flow for both competitors and spectators. The event opened on Thursday with dressage and working equitation competitions, before moving into the model championships with the female classes on Friday and the male classes on Saturday.

One of the most positive changes was the decision to conclude the festival on a Saturday evening. This allowed more people to remain until the final moments of the event, creating a stronger atmosphere around the closing celebrations. In previous editions, with the final day falling on a Sunday, attendance naturally became more challenging as many visitors needed to return home and balance family commitments.

The new Thrusday-to-Saturday format also offers a more practical calendar for riders, trainers and professionals, making it easier to include the festival within their working schedules while maintaining strong participation throughout the week. The event concluded with a spectacular horse show, transforming the final evening into a true celebration — a reminder that the International Lusitano Festival is not only about medals, but also about heritage, performance and the connection people share with this remarkable breed.

Champions of the 2026 Edition

A total of 108 Lusitanos entered the championship, including 50 mares and 58 stallions, representing some of the most recognised breeding programmes in Portugal and abroad. The overall quality of the entries was reflected in the results, with 20 Gold Medals and 20 Silver Medals awarded across the different categories. The competition was marked by consistency, with many horses demonstrating the high standards expected at this level. The championship titles highlighted some of the most remarkable horses of the week, with several performances leaving a strong impression both in hand and under saddle.

In the model championships, Uva-Negra di Mantov was crowned Female Champion in Hand, while Tierno MVL claimed the Male Champion in Hand title. The young stallion immediately caught the attention of the audience and judges, turning heads with his presence, quality, and maturity beyond his age. From the moment he entered the ring, he made a clear statement and confirmed himself as a worthy champion.

Under saddle, Sol da Madre D’Água secured the Ridden Champion title after a beautiful presentation with Gonçalo Diabinho. Showing a forward, elastic way of going and a promising attitude, the horse demonstrated the type of qualities that suggest an exciting future ahead in sport.

The Ridden Female Champion title, however, was not awarded this year. The highest-placed mare was Ryan GM, ridden by Mariana Assis, who delivered a strong performance and earned a Silver Medal. As the championship rules require a Gold Medal standard for the title, no Ridden Female Champion was crowned in 2026.

The highest score of the entire championship was achieved by the >5YO stallion Rijo de Cais, bred by Casa Agrícola de D. Irlanda Saraiva, beautifully presented by Frederico Mexia and owned by Olivier Arnal. With his strong presence, quality of movement and overall harmony, he captured the attention of the judges and achieved an outstanding 7.967 points, earning a Gold Medal and the highest mark of the event.

The Best Breeder of the Lusitano Breed title went to Sociedade das Silveiras, recognising not only individual successes but the overall consistency and quality of its breeding programme — a true reflection of the work behind producing horses capable of reaching the highest levels of the breed.

Model & Gaits Competitions

Uva-Negra di Mantov - Female Champion in Hand

Sol da Madre D’Água - Ridden Champion

Tierno MVL - Male Champion in Hand

The Atmosphere at Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa

Sol da Madre D’Água - Ridden Champion

The Atmosphere at Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa