Inside Ponte de Lima Horse Fair 2026

Jul 14, 2026

Text: Lusitano World Photos: Carlos Hernani

Few equestrian events in Portugal combine breeding, sport and tradition quite like the Ponte de Lima Horse Fair. Once again, Expolima welcomed thousands of visitors, breeders and riders for four days dedicated to the Lusitano horse, but this year's edition will be remembered as much for the exceptional weather as for the quality displayed inside the arenas.

With temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F), the 2026 edition faced one of the greatest logistical challenges in the fair's history. Yet, rather than overshadowing the event, the extreme heat highlighted the professionalism of the organisation and the resilience of everyone involved. Competition schedules were carefully adjusted, with several classes moved to the cooler morning and evening hours to safeguard the welfare of nearly 300 horses, riders and officials. The seamless implementation of these changes reflected the growing importance placed on equine welfare in modern equestrian sport, without compromising the quality of competition or the visitor experience.

Despite the demanding conditions, attendance remained impressive throughout the four-day event. The stands at Expolima were consistently well occupied, with breeders, riders, families and horse enthusiasts creating a vibrant atmosphere that once again demonstrated Ponte de Lima's unique ability to combine top-level sport, Lusitano breeding and Portuguese culture.

Beyond the competitions, visitors enjoyed a diverse programme that included the traditional Equestrian Gala, the National Horseball Championship – Pro Elite, Carriage Driving competitions, Garrano horse presentations, regional gastronomy and a bustling commercial area, further reinforcing the fair's position as one of Portugal's most complete equestrian events.

High-Level Sport Across Disciplines

One of the hallmarks of the Ponte de Lima Horse Fair is the breadth of its sporting programme, showcasing multiple disciplines. This year's edition featured the traditional Model and Gaits Competitions, the seventh round of the Portuguese National Working Equitation Championship alongside an official WAWE Qualifier, and both a National Dressage Competition (CDN) and the IV Qualifier of the Portuguese Dressage Cup. But what were the standout moments from each discipline? Let's take a closer look.

Model and Gaits

The Model and Gaits competition once again proved to be the heart of the Ponte de Lima Horse Fair, bringing together breeders from across Portugal to showcase the quality, functionality and diversity of today's Lusitano horse. Although participation was slightly lower than in previous editions — likely influenced by the exceptionally high temperatures — the quality remained very interesting. Across eleven competitive classes, the event offered a comprehensive overview of the current state of Portuguese Lusitano breeding. The largest classes were the yearlings, reflecting the continued strength of breeding programmes and offering an exciting glimpse into the next generation of the breed.

REVIEW THE CLASS WINNERS:

Males

1YO: Vento JCL (Indigo × Neblina JCL by Altivo) – Gold
2YO: Uivador da Loba (Miura de Cais × Harpa by Peralta Pinha) – Gold
3YO: Thor do Lima (Habil da Broa × Prada by Fogoso) – Gold
4YO: Sol da Madre de Água (Jasmim Plus × Donadela by Verificado) – Gold
5YO & Older: Riopele JE (Faquir das Lezírias × Alvorada by Olímpico) – Gold

Females

1YO: Verdade do Luar (Queluz do Luar × Ingrid by Escorial) – Gold
2YO: Urdila di Mantov (Nuelo das Lezírias × Iza d'Atela by Zorro) – Gold
3YO: Tulipa SC (Nuelo das Lezírias × Paz SC by Soberano) – Silver
4YO: Sevilha SC (Rubi × Golegã by Violino) – Gold
5YO & Older: Ryana GM (Escorial × Imperial Toula by Diamante Toula) – Gold
Mares with Foal: Roca (Escorial × Elzinquia by Spartacus) – Gold

Working Equitation

Working Equitation once again played a prominent role in the programme, with Ponte de Lima hosting the seventh round of the Portuguese National Championship alongside an official WAWE (World Association for Working Equitation) Qualifier. Recognised by WAWE, the competition counted towards qualification for the 2026 WAWE World Championship, offering riders an important opportunity to strengthen their international ranking and national team selection prospects.

The Masters division produced some of the weekend's strongest performances. Gilberto Filipe, riding Morante, claimed overall victory after consistently strong performances across Dressage, Ease of Handling and Speed. Bruno Pica, aboard Istambul, secured second place, while Sweden's Astrid Hedman, riding Jaguar, completed the podium.

Among the Young Riders, Lara Carreira and Endiabrado emerged victorious ahead of António Simão Silva Mendes with Nilo, while Lara also demonstrated the depth of her string by placing third aboard Imperador SS. In the Juniors division, Carminho Filipe, riding Horigami, dominated the competition by winning all three phases to finish on maximum points. Constança Portugal and Dollar claimed second place, while Maria Alves, aboard Luar do Zé, completed the podium.

By hosting both an official WAWE Qualifier and a national championship round, Ponte de Lima once again demonstrated its ability to stage competitions of international significance, further strengthening its position as one of Portugal's leading venues for Working Equitation. Complete Working Equitation results HERE.

Dressage

Dressage once again occupied a central place in the sporting programme, with Ponte de Lima Horse Fair hosting both a National Dressage Competition (CDN) and the IV Qualifier of the Portuguese Dressage Cup. The event attracted riders from across Portugal, offering valuable points towards the national circuit while showcasing a consistently high standard of competition.

The Grand Prix saw Mafalda Pinto Santos Galiza Mendes, riding Nilo das Arcas, claim victory with 69.058%, narrowly ahead of Cláudia Sofia Moreira Lopes aboard Lynnox (67.500%), while Vasco Mira Godinho and Limbro da Hermida completed the podium on 67.282%.

The Grand Prix Special belonged to Vasco Mira Godinho and Limbro da Hermida, who delivered the winning test on 69.929%. Mafalda Pinto Santos Galiza Mendes and Nilo das Arcas finished second with 68.653%, while João Sousa Faustino, riding Imperador D' Cabeção, secured third place with 66.206%.

The close margins between the leading combinations across both tests reflected the depth and competitiveness of Portuguese dressage, with different winners emerging in each of the weekend's flagship classes. Complete Dressage results HERE.

Ponte de Lima Continues to Grow

Beyond the competition arenas, the fair once again delivered a complete visitor experience. Breeders' stands, regional gastronomy, equestrian equipment shops and local products transformed Expolima into a lively meeting point where visitors could discover horses, connect with breeders and enjoy the unique atmosphere that has become synonymous with Ponte de Lima.

The social dimension of the event remains one of its greatest strengths. Throughout the four days, the venue welcomed an enthusiastic crowd that closely followed the competitions while filling the stands for the evening shows, demonstrating the growing public interest in both the Lusitano horse and Portuguese equestrian culture.

The 2026 edition demonstrated that Ponte de Lima has grown far beyond a traditional horse fair. Its ability to combine elite sport, world-class Lusitano breeding and a welcoming atmosphere — while adapting seamlessly to one of the hottest editions in recent memory — confirms its place among Portugal's most important equestrian events.

More importantly, the fair continues to evolve without losing the authenticity that has made it one of the defining fixtures of the Lusitano calendar, where breeding excellence, high-performance sport and Portuguese equestrian culture come together year after year.

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