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Feira Nacional do Cavalo – the world's largest Lusitano horse festival in Golegã

Every year in November on St. Martin's Day, everything in the small town of Golegã in Portugal revolves around horses. The international festival in honor of the Lusitano horses, known in Portuguese as Feira Nacional do Cavalo, takes place. For Portugal, it is THE national festival of horse breeding.

In this blog post we take you on a visit to the Golegã horse festival.


The History of the Horse Town of Golegã in Portugal

Ever since the second king of Portugal, King Sancho I, founded a stud farm in Golegã, the small town in the Alentejo region has been associated with horse breeding. Traditionally, visitors would make a pilgrimage to Golegã around November 11th, St. Martin's Day, for the St. Martin's Markets. The markets were a centuries-old tradition throughout the country, and were the last social gathering before winter. In the 18th century, the tradition developed into a large horse fair with a horse show in honor of the Lusitanos, because if you ask the locals, Lusitanos have "always" been bred in Golegã. 

Historically, the Lusitano is the oldest riding horse in the world. Some sources say that prehistoric horses, the ancestors of today's Lusitanos, lived on the Iberian Peninsula as early as 25,000 years ago.

In Golegã you can experience the history of the Lusitanos first hand. Riders from all over the world come every year to Portugal's largest horse festival to marvel at the best Lusitanos and the best horses of the Portuguese breeds Sorraia, Alter Real and Garrano. They compete in numerous disciplines, including carriage driving. The final of the national Working Equitation Championship also takes place every year at the horse festival in Golegã.



Visit to the Horse Festival in Golegã

When the annual fog settles over Golegã in November and a ray of sunshine shines through here and there, the time has come: Portugal's most important horse event is taking place again.

The Feira lasts a full ten days. In the small town of Golegã, with its 5,000 inhabitants, everything is dedicated to the Lusitanos. It is therefore rightly known as the “horse capital of Europe”. Around 10,000 horses romp around here for the horse festival. Everywhere you look, you see horses - a magnificent and wild spectacle.

In the center of the city, in the middle of the market square, a riding arena with stands is set up. It serves as one of the two venues for the numerous shows and tournaments. Outside, around the riding arena, is the centerpiece, the "manga", a kind of oval warm-up track. The real spectacle for visitors takes place in the "manga". Not only the participants in the shows and competitions ride here, but also everyone who owns a horse and can ride reasonably well. Even the youngest ride their laps here. All of Portugal and riders from all over the world travel with their horses to present their noble and proud animals, mostly Lusitanos. Not only the riders in the shows and tournaments are finely dressed, but also those who ride in the warm-up track. See and be seen is the motto here. When choosing an outfit, a riding helmet is clearly not worn, as it does not match the traditional local costume. Instead, people wear a hat or a Portuguese flat cap. For ten days, there is plenty to marvel at until late in the dark. The evening show highlights include the performances by the Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre.


Riders present their horses in the manga in Golega at Picadera
In the manga, riders present their noble horses.

But it is not just the riding arena with its “manga” that is worth a visit at the Golegã Horse Festival. The small streets around the market square are surrounded by numerous stalls. Breeders present their stud farms here, there is a large selection of typical riding equipment, as well as culinary delicacies. Grilled meat and fish are usually served with cabbage or potatoes as a side dish. The whole thing is like a mixture of a fair and a horse fair. The many chestnut stalls that are set up everywhere are also typical. When it gets dark, their clouds of smoke drift through Golegã and give the horse festival a magical atmosphere.


Clouds of smoke drift over the Golega horse festival near Picadera in the darkness
Clouds of smoke from the chestnut stands drift through the city at night, giving it a mystical character.

Many residents of Golegã use the time of the Feira to earn some extra money. There are improvised restaurants in apartments and garages everywhere. Behind every gate and door you suddenly find a horse stable. In the evenings, small bars and discos open up here, which, curiously enough, you can enter both on foot and on horseback - quite normal at the Golegã horse festival.


Horse and human crowds in the darkness at the Lusitano Festival Golega near Picadera
There is still a lot of activity in Golegã until late in the evening.

A little further away you will discover courtyards with horse stables and riding areas surrounded by olive and lemon trees. Those who receive an invitation here usually intend to buy a horse, because this is where business is done in a private atmosphere. Wine and olives are often served during negotiations. The horse purchase is sealed with a handshake. At the time of the Feira Nacional do Cavalo, so many horses change hands.


A horse for sale looks out of its box in Golega near Picadera
A horse for sale waits in its box.

If you continue on foot, you will reach Hippos Golgegã, the second venue of the horse festival, which is about 15 minutes away. During the Golegã horse festival, the four dressage arenas and the show jumping arena are mainly used for dressage competitions. Those who do well in a competition here are later allowed to ride in the final in the riding arena on the market square.


Riders ride their Lusitanos in the riding arena at the Golega horse festival near Picadera
The riding arena on the market square in Golegã.

Interesting facts about the Lusitano Festival

  • Horse riders are among the most common road users in Golegã, so the road signs have been consistently supplemented with horse pictograms.

Two Lusitanos are ridden through the Strait of Golega at Picadera
Horse riders are the most common road users.

  • Almost 90 percent of the noble horses that come to the Golegã horse festival are stallions. Despite this, it is surprisingly peaceful and relaxed most of the time.
  • A horse that has proven itself in Golegã will automatically increase in price because nothing can unsettle it. At least that is the common argument.
  • Famous photographer, bullfighter and of course horse lover Carlos Relvas came from Golegã. His villa in Golegã is probably the most unusual house in Portugal today. He had a ramp specially built for the horses in his studio on the upper floor so he could photograph them. Every year at the Golegã Horse Festival there is an exhibition in his honour.
  •  “Casettas” are the name given to the small exhibition pavilions of the most famous breeders around the manga. They consist of stands for the horses and a tiny little building that looks almost like a castle. Drinks are served to the riders through a raised window.

Two riders get a drink from Picadera at a caseta in Golega
Cool drinks are served from a caseta.

  • In Golegã everything revolves around the Lusitano, so there is the hotel “Lusitano”, the supermarket “Super Lusitano” or the restaurant “Picadeira Lusitano”

A week in honor of the Lusitanos

The Golegã Horse Festival is probably one of the most unusual and impressive horse events in the world. Every horse lover who has the chance to visit Portugal's largest horse festival should take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to elegant and beautiful Lusitanos as far as the eye can see, Golegã offers a truly diverse program. Even for laypeople, the many presentations and tournaments are well worth seeing.


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Myriam Scotti
Myriam Scotti

Hello, I'm Myriam and I take care of customer service and shipping at Picadera. I'm also currently doing further training in marketing.
Since horses have always played a big role in my family, I was able to gain a lot of experience at a young age. The two English thoroughbreds Antarro and Belle Indomita have been part of the family for some time now.
In addition, my riding partner Lukas, a German riding pony, has been my faithful companion for many years. He is a pretty good teacher who has taught me a lot and helped me improve my riding skills. Since Lukas has now reached retirement age, we spend most of our time on beautiful rides in the countryside and free work from the ground.

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