Working Equitation & Traditional Portuguese Horsemanship
Working Equitation is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing equestrian disciplines in the world.
Created to preserve the traditional riding skills once used by horsemen working cattle, farms, and the countryside of southern Europe, it combines dressage, obstacle handling, speed, and cattle work into a complete test of partnership between horse and rider.
Portugal has played a central role in the development of Working Equitation, and the discipline remains deeply connected to the traditions, horses, tack, costume, and horsemanship that shaped its origins.
At Lusitano Heritage, we believe Working Equitation represents far more than a sport. It is a living expression of classical training, practical horsemanship, and cultural heritage. The same qualities once valued in the working horse — balance, courage, responsiveness, athleticism, and partnership — remain at the heart of the discipline today.
In this collection, we explore the history, traditions, obstacles, horses, people, and experiences that continue to shape the world of Working Equitation and traditional Portuguese horsemanship.
Understanding Working Equitation
A complete introduction to the sport, its origins, structure, and growing international popularity.
What Is Working Equitation
Working Equitation - A Complete Sport
The Four Phases of the Competition
The Origins of the Obstacles
Discover the practical traditions behind the obstacles and challenges seen in modern Working Equitation.
The Origins of the Obstacles
The Gate Obstacle in WE
Further Obstacles
WORKING EQUITATION HORSES FOR SALE
Explore our Working Equitation Horses for Sale. If you cannot see a suitable horse on our pages please get in touch. Not all horses make it to the website.
Why the Lusitano Excels in Working Equitation –
HOW TO CHOOSE A HORSE FOR WE
Experience Working Equitation in Portugal
Traditional Farm Holidays
Working Equitation Experiences & Lessons
The Campinos – Authentic Living Roots of Working Equitation
Upon deciding to write about the Campinos I searched the internet search and was stunned to find there appeared to be virtually nothing recorded regarding the Campinos. All that I discovered was one old black and white video and some images.
The Campinos are Portugal’s cowboys. To this day, they work the cattle on the backs of Lusitanos, using the traditional methods and skills passed down from their fathers and grandfathers. Their work remains valuable to many large cattle farms in Portugal—especially in the Ribatejo and Alentejo regions.
The large estates consider them more useful and more capable than modern machinery.,,,,,,,,,,,,,READ ARTICLE
CAMPINOS - LIVING FARM TRADITIONS