The Portuguese School of the Equestrian Art shows for 2010

Between May and October, the gardens of the Queluz National Palace will be the setting for special gala shows performed by the Portuguese School of the Equestrian Art.

DATES 2010

– May: 5th, 12th , 19th and 26th

– June: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th

– July: 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th

– September: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

– October: 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th

The Portuguese School of the Equestrian Art was the successor of the former Picaria Real, the riding school of the Portuguese Royal Court, which was closed in the 19th century. What has remained from those times is the special horsemanship and the tradition of bullfighting on horseback, with the horsemen still riding the same type of horses as were used in the 18th century, with the same saddles and costumes, resulting in an equestrian heritage that is unique in the world.

The horses belong to the special Lusitanian breed, raised at the Alter do Chão stud farm, founded in 1748 by the king Dom João V.

Visitors to the Queluz National Palace will have a unique opportunity to see exhibitions by the riders from the Portuguese School of the Equestrian Art at 11 a.m. every Wednesday in the palace gardens.