The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre) was founded in 1979 and carries on the traditions that were part of the royal court equestrian academy (Real Picaria) from the 18th century that was closed in the 19th century. The school is based in the Gardens of the National Palace of Queluz, located just 20 minutes outside of Lisbon.
The school is considered one of the four principal riding academies in the world, along with the schools in Vienna (Austria), Jerez (Spain) and Saumur (France). They feature Lusitano horses that are bred at the same farm that was established by King João in 1748, and the school preserves the traditional riding costumes, saddles and riding styles from the time of the royals.
Visitors to the Palace and Gardens can see a display with the horses and riders from the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at 11.00 every Wednesday and Saturday. Daily training sessions, weekly presentations and galas performances are held at the Picadeiro Henrique Calado riding center located in Lisbon in the Belém neighborhood.
For more information on the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at the National Palace in Queluz, click here. For more information on performances at the Picadeiro Henrique Calado in Lisbon, click here.
Photo credit: © 2016 Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua – All rights reserved.
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There are a number of wonderful places located within an hour of Lisbon that make for a perfect day trip outside of the city.
If you plan on being in or around Lisbon between March 8-29 or October 3-25, 2014, make time in your itinerary to take in a concert at the Palace of Queluz.