Lusitano horse breeders from all over the world will congregate in Lisbon July 5 -6 for the 1st International Lusitano Horse Congress.

The event, sponsored by Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa, will take place at Torre do Tombo, Lisbon. Participants will address issues relating to the past, present and future of the Lusitano horse.

This year, Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa is also sponsoring an International Lusitano Festival  to be held July 7-10 in Lisbon featuring horses and riders.

The festival is an opportunity for Portuguese Lusitano breeders to showcase their premium quality horses and  to demonstrate the potential of the Lusitano horse in a range of different equestrian disciplines such as Model and Paces, Dressage, Portuguese Equitation, Working Equitation, Show Jumping and Carriage Driving.

Brazilian-breed Lusitano horses in the Merrimac, MA festival held at the "Sons of the Wind" farm, last week.

The Lusitano originates from the Iberian Peninsula, which is modern-day Portugal and Spain. Its origins date back to at least 25,000 B.C. Cave paintings in the Iberian Peninsula dated from around 20,000 B.C. depict portraits of horses and activities related to a horse culture.

Known for its elegance, intelligence, bravery and courage, the Lusitano has been used as a war horse and as a mount for Portuguese bullfighters.

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