Monte da Ravasqueira, located in Arraiolos, will be holding an International CAI-B Driving Contest, from 16 to 21 March, with more than seventy competitors from Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Portugal.
This CAI-B contest, which will include Dressage and Obstacle Driving competitions for singles, pairs, four-in-hand and four-in-hand ponies, is part of the VI Iberian Driving Cup organised by Monte da Ravasqueira, the high point of which is a CAI-A International Driving Contest to be held from 22 to 26 March with more than eighty competitors from the same countries and which will include Dressage, Marathon and Obstacle Driving competitions for the same four classes participating in the CAI-B contest.
Both events are on the Calendar of Events of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports and their main objectives include raising awareness of driving, a sport that is still relatively unknown in Portugal.
The promotion of the excellent qualities and capabilities of the Lusitano horse was also a compelling reason for the construction of a genuine “Driving Village” at Monte da Ravasqueira, which will operate from 12 March, when the first competitors will start arriving from all across Europe, until 26 March, the date of the CAI-A Obstacle Driving and prize-giving.
By organising these two international driving contests in Arraiolos, another main objective of Monte da Ravasqueira is to promote and raise awareness of the rich history and heritage of the Alentejo region, its tourist activity, gastronomy and regional products.
The CAI-B International Driving Contest will have the following programme:
Thursday, 16
– Veterinary Inspection
– Dressage
Friday, 17
– Dressage
Saturday, 18
– Obstacle Driving
Sunday, 19
– Dressage
Monday, 20
– Dressage
– Prizes
Tuesday, 21
– Obstacle Driving (Choose your own path – Optional)
– Prize-giving.