Portugal in Aachen

- The Road to the 2026 Team -

Aug 09, 2026

Text: Lusitano World Photos: Carlos Hernani

Tomorrow, the world's best dressage combinations will gather in Aachen for the veterinary inspection. On 11 August, the competition begins. And as Portugal prepares to step onto one of the most prestigious stages in equestrian sport, Lusitano World will be there to follow the journey from close range.

Few venues in equestrian sport have the prestige of Aachen. Every summer, the Soers showgrounds host CHIO Aachen, one of the sport’s most iconic events, often described as the “Wimbledon of equestrian sport”. This year, Aachen takes centre stage once again, hosting the FEI World Championships. The event brings the world’s best together across six disciplines for one of the biggest competitions of the Olympic cycle.

For dressage riders, there are few bigger stages on which to represent their country. Beyond the fight for team and individual medals, Aachen also marks the first step towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with nations having their first opportunity to secure Olympic qualification at these World Championships.

For Portugal, this year’s World Championships are the latest chapter in a story that began almost three decades ago. From one rider in Rome in 1998 to a four-member team returning to Aachen in 2026, Portugal has steadily strengthened its presence on the international dressage stage. Behind that progress are generations of Portuguese riders, breeders and trainers who have continued to raise the bar, developing combinations capable of competing alongside the sport’s leading nations.

From Rome to Aachen: Portugal's Evolution at the FEI World Championships

Portugal’s journey at the FEI World Championships began in Rome in 1998, when Daniel Pinto and Weldon Surprise became the first Portuguese combination to compete at a Dressage World Championship. Almost three decades later, the country returns to Aachen with a record of steady progress and a place among the sport’s top nations.

The story began in Rome, where Daniel Pinto and Weldon Surprise scored 63.440% — a result that, at the time, was less about the number on the scoreboard than what it represented: Portugal had arrived on the World Championship stage. Eight years later, Aachen marked another turning point. At the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, Portugal fielded its first complete team at a World Championship, with Daniel Pinto, André Parada, Nuno Vicente and Miguel Ralão Duarte. It was the first time Portugal competed as a team at this level, signalling a shift from individual participation to a more established international presence.

The results continued to move forward. At Kentucky 2010, Mafalda Galiza Mendes and D’Artagnan set a new individual benchmark for Portugal, while the team finished 11th — at that point, the nation’s best collective result at a World Championship. Four years later, at Tryon 2018, Maria Caetano and Coroado became the first Portuguese combination to score above 70% at a World Championship, earning 71.165%.

Then came Herning 2022, where Portugal finished 10th in the team competition, achieving its best-ever result at a Dressage World Championship and breaking into the world’s top ten. João Moreira produced the country’s highest individual score, 71.522%, while Maria Caetano, Martim Meneres and Vasco Mira Godinho completed the team.

In less than 25 years, Portugal had moved from sending a single rider to the World Championships to establishing itself as a competitive dressage nation.

1998: One Portuguese rider competes at a World Championship.
2006: Portugal fields its first complete team.
2010: The team reaches 11th place.
2018: A Portuguese combination breaks the 70% barrier.
2022: Portugal finishes in the world’s top ten.

Now, in 2026, the World Championships return to Aachen — the same arena where Portugal first presented a complete team twenty years ago! The circumstances are very different this time. Portugal arrives with championship experience, established international combinations and a generation of riders continuing to raise the bar.

What began with one rider in Rome, opening the door to a dream, has become a sustained presence on the world stage. In Aachen, the next chapter begins. Let's get to know the Portuguese team?

The Portuguese Team in Aachen

The Portuguese Equestrian Federation has selected four combinations for the 2026 FEI World Championships: Maria Caetano with Hit Plus, João Pedro Moreira with Fürst Kennedy, João Torrão with Lírio MVL and Vasco Mira Godinho with Marquês dos Cedros. Rita Ralão and Irão have been named as first reserve. Together, the four combinations bring experience, ambition and strong recent form to the Portuguese team, with the shared objective of delivering for Portugal on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

Maria Caetano & Hit Plus

As the most experienced member of the Portuguese team, Maria Caetano returns to a major championship aboard Hit Plus. A familiar face on the international stage for more than a decade, Caetano has represented Portugal at World and European Championships, as well as the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Born into one of Portugal's most respected equestrian families, she has built her career around competing at the highest level, partnering horses including Xiripiti, Coroado and Fénix de Tineo. Her current partner, Hit Plus, is a Portuguese Sport Horse gelding by Bretton Woods out of Platina Plus, by Peralta Pinha. Their partnership reached a major milestone with selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and continued to develop through the 2025 European Championships in Crozet. Their 2026 season has once again demonstrated their consistency. At the CDIO5* Nations Cup in Fontainebleau, they scored 72.413% in the Grand Prix before finishing fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle with 77.970%. At the CDIO4* in Lier, they placed eighth in the Grand Prix with 71.391% and finished second in the Grand Prix Special with 73.042%.

Heading into Aachen, Caetano and Hit Plus bring valuable championship experience and the consistency needed to perform under pressure.

João Pedro Moreira & Fürst Kennedy

Born in Lisbon, Moreira has represented Portugal several times, including the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning and the 2023 European Championships in Riesenbeck, where he qualified for the Individual Freestyle Final.

Based in Germany, he has built his career in one of Europe's most competitive dressage environments, combining international experience with a meticulous approach to training. His current championship partner, Drosa Fürst Kennedy OLD, is an 11-year-old Oldenburg stallion by Fürsten-Look out of Fiodora, by Don Kennedy. The pair looked set to make their Olympic debut together in Paris in 2024, but an untimely veterinary setback ruled Fürst Kennedy out just before the Games. What followed was a period of careful rehabilitation and a return to international competition.

Aachen now represents their first World Championship together. Their 2026 campaign began with victory at the CDI3* Aachen Dressage Days, where Moreira and Fürst Kennedy topped a field of 28 combinations in the Grand Prix. They later secured a career-best seventh place at the prestigious CHIO Aachen, confirming their competitiveness at one of the sport's most demanding venues. Now, they are back to Aachen ready to take their place among the world's best.

João Torrão & Lírio

João Torrão heads to Aachen aboard the 11-year-old Lusitano stallion Lírio. At 33, Torrão has already established himself among Portugal's leading dressage riders. His breakthrough came with Equador MVL, whom he developed from the early stages of training through to Grand Prix level, representing Portugal at the Tokyo Olympic Games and successive European Championships. Together, they contributed to Portugal's historic eighth-place team finish at Tokyo 2020.

Now, Torrão brings another Lusitano to the world stage. Lírio, bred by Miguel Fialho Silva e Sousa, is an approved breeding stallion by Zeus do Lis out of Quira, by El-Negro. Carefully developed by Torrão over the past few seasons, the pair has steadily progressed on the international circuit.

Their 2026 season has confirmed that progression. After representing Portugal in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup in Fontainebleau, they delivered one of their strongest international performances at the CDIO4* in Lier, scoring 69.609% in the Grand Prix before producing 75.465% in the Grand Prix Freestyle to finish seventh. Their growing harmony and confidence make them a combination to watch in Aachen, with Lírio once again representing the Lusitano at the highest level of international dressage.

Vasco Mira Godinho & Marquês dos Cedros

Vasco Mira Godinho heads to Aachen partnered with one of Portugal’s most exciting homebred Lusitanos, Marquês dos Cedros, owned by Garaman Lusitanos. Godinho has steadily established himself on the international circuit through his efficient riding and his ability to develop Lusitanos for top-level sport. In recent seasons, he has become a regular presence on Portuguese Nations Cup teams, producing consistently harmonious performances that combine technical precision with the natural qualities of the Lusitano.

His championship partner, Marquês dos Cedros, is an approved Lusitano stallion bred by Coudelaria Quinta dos Cedros. By Distúrbio out of Ema dos Cedros, by the legendary Rubi AR, Marquês brings together influential bloodlines with athleticism, rideability and proven dressage genetics.

The pair has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season. They opened the year with victory in the CDI3* Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, followed by another win in the Grand Prix Special, recording the highest overall average of the competition. Their form continued at the prestigious CDI4* in Crozet, France, where they finished second in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special against a competitive international field.

Those results have placed Marquês dos Cedros among the highest-ranked Lusitanos in international dressage and highlighted the growing strength of the partnership. Now, Godinho and Marquês head to Aachen with a season of impressive results behind them and the confidence of knowing they can compete successfully at the highest level.

A Dream Returns to Aachen

From Rome in 1998, to Portugal’s first full team competing in Aachen in 2006, to a return to the same iconic venue in 2026, the Portuguese journey has been one of steady progress, growing ambition and an unwavering belief in what is possible.

Now, four combinations are ready to carry that story forward. We wish the Portuguese team the very best of luck as they take on one of the biggest stages in international dressage. This is another opportunity for Portugal to show just how far its sport has come — and to prove that Portuguese dressage belongs among the world’s best.

Lusitano World will be on the ground in Aachen, bringing you the results, the stories, the atmosphere and the moments that happen beyond the arena. And, of course, we will be cheering not only for the Portuguese team, but for every Lusitano flying the flag at this extraordinary level of competition.

The stage is set. The world’s best are here. History is about to be made — and we are privileged to witness it firsthand.

About Us

Lusitano World offers a combination of services dedicated to promote the Lusitano Horse worldwide and to highlight the richness of Portuguese equestrian culture. Visit our website and follow our social media platforms to find out what we can offer.