Fresh back from an inspirational nine day trip to Portugal, we wanted to share some of our photographs of the Golegã National Horse Fair. Golegã is a small town about an hour and a half from Lisbon, and is known as “Capital do Cavalo”, the “capital of the horse”.

It has the name for a good reason. Every street, sign and business in the town, virtually, has a reference to the horse, and in particular to Portugal’s own beautiful breed, the Lusitano.

The ten day fair in November is a historic tradition, and we arrived for the last weekend of the 2013 fair. Its difficult to describe in words the incredible atmosphere, excitement and energy of this event, the pictures will tell the story far better. Suffice as to say, Golegã was completely full to the brim with horses and people, day and night – horses on the side streets, in the townhouse stables, around the bars, and on the Monday, outside the church for the procession of Saint Martin’s Pilgrims. At the centre of all this, is an outer arena, know as the “manga”, where people parade on horseback in costume, and an inner arena, where there are competitions, displays and performances all week.

As well as capturing some of the fair, we were lucky to be able to spend a little time with Ricardo Moura Tavares and his horse Baluarte da Broa, who won champion of the Lusitano breeds at the fair. In addition we had the chance to capture some shots of Lusitanos at the Quinta do Salvador. We will feature both of these in the coming week – watch this space!

We are indebted to the amazing Sherene Rahmatallah of Sussex Lusitanos for all the wonderful help and time she gave us in making things happen during our time at the fair – thank you Sherene, amazing!

 

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford PhotographyJo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

Jo Hansford Photography

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