Classical Riding Portugese Masters

DOM DUARTE (1391-1438)

"And I think that if everybody maintain a strong determination and will, only very few would not be able to become reasonable horsemen through lack of the minimal physical condition."

Some of the oldest post-medieval documents concerning the art of classical riding is of Portuguese origin, the most famous work being that of King Dom Duarte. The book is entitled Livro de Bem Ensinança de Bem Cavalgar and was written in 1434. The Royal Library in Paris got hold of it in 1842. The book emerges as a literary work of a unique and priceless historic value because it reveals the European Equestrian Art at the dawn of the Renaissance, a period which marks the birth of the first riding academies.

Born into an illustrious dynasty

Dom Duarte or Edouard 1, King of Portugal and the Algarves and Lord of Céuta is a fascinating character whose qualities as an écuyer remain impressive and outstanding, especially for his time. He distinguished himself, early in the fifteenth century, by his intellectual curiosity and physical courage. Like his father, Jean 1, he loved hunting and was a gifted author.

The First Treaty on Equestrian Sports Psychology

Dom Duarte stated that the unique and individual psychology of the rider is at the heart of his/her progress. The rider must work on self-control and self-discipline. He must master his emotions, especially fear. This work provides us with various examples of real-life anxiety-inducing situations experienced on horseback. Dom Duarte also advocates classical riding instruction that respects the character of the student.

A sensitive and intelligent man, he insists that one has to take into account on the one side the temperament of the horse, that has to be mastered with gentleness, and on the other hand the psychological make-up of the novice rider with all his fears and insecurities. He advises "more praise, less blame"

A multidisciplinary approach to classical riding

This memorable book of one of the first Portuguese écuyers gives us a clear picture of the various training and riding methods practiced in Portugal but also in Europe and throughout the Mediterranean region. It describes the characteristics of the Gineta method, regarded as the original Portuguese classical riding system. It was probably adopted from the teaching of the Zénètes, a fearsome Berber tribe known for its equestrian prowess on the battlefield. Dom Duarte also appreciated the Italian, English and French methods.

King Duarte died unexpectedly of the plague, leaving his book unfinished. It is one of the earliest modern treatises on equitation, and is still little known, having been written in medieval Portuguese, with no translation into modern Portuguese.

The original manuscipts of Bem Cavalgar, and of Dom Duarte's other main book Leal Conselheiro, are kept at the French National Library, the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, Paris.

The book is divided into three parts. The third part (recommendations for skilled horseman) remains unfinished, as King Duarte wrote only seven of a proposed 16 recommendations.

Books in English:

The Royal Book of Horsemanship, Jousting & Knightly Combat - Translated into English in 2005 by Antonio Franco Petro

NUNO OLIVEIRA (1925-1989)

Nuno Oliveira

This Portuguese Ecuyer is considered by Michel Henriquet as the "first intelligent equestrian" of the twentieth century. Student of Joaquim Miranda, Nuno Oliveira has left a monumental collection of equestrian work. In 1940, he instructed officers of the Portuguese Hipomóvel Trem. In 1950, he studied the great classics of equestrian literature in the Library of Manuel de Barros. In 1956, he joined the ecurie of Dr. Guilherme Borba in Póvoa de Santa Adrião.

Nuno Oliveira has written various books on the equestrian art and reflections on equestrian literature, morality and philosophy: Memories of a Portuguese Ecuyer, the Principles of Classical Riding, Amálgama, Elucubrações, Anseios e Recordações, and Correspondances with Michel Henriquet.

Nuno Oliveira (1925-1989) is widely acknowledged as a master of the art of dressage.

Nuno was born in Lisbon on June 23, 1925. He studied riding under Joaquim Goncalves de Miranda, in the style of the riding academy of Versailles. A great teacher, he possessed a near-encyclopedic knowledge of equestrian theory that crossed many styles and countries. His principal influences were Francois Robichon de la Guérinière, Gustav Steinbrecht and Francois Baucher.

On February 2, 1989 he was discovered dead in his bed in a hotel in Australia. It is said that music by Verdi was playing in the room, music which he often played or sang while riding.

Books by Nuno Oliveira

* 1965 : Reflections on Equestrian Art

* 1983 : Classical Principles of the Art of Training Horses

* 1983 : From an Old Master Trainer to Young Trainers

* 1986 : Horses and Their Riders

Quotes:

"Après trente ans sur le dos d'innombrables chevaux, je demande aux cavaliers qui me lisent et qui dressent leurs chevaux de regarder leur monture lorsqu'ils mettent pied-à-terre après une séance de travail, de contempler son œil et de faire un examen de conscience pour se demander s'ils ont bien agi envers cet extraordinaire être vivant, ce compagnon adorable : le cheval."

"On a tendance, de nos jours, à oublier que l'équitation est un art. Or, l'art n'existe pas sans amour. Mais celui qui n'a pas la discipline nécessaire et qui ne possède pas la technique ne peut prétendre à l'art. L'art, c'est la sublimation de la technique par l'amour. L'amour, afin qu'après la mort du cheval, vous ayez gardé en votre cœur le souvenir de cette entente, de ces sensations qui ont quand même élevé votre esprit au-dessus des misères d'une vie humaine."

"Equestrian tact is not only the subtlety of the aids but also the feeling for the choice of the aids that have to be applied, and it is the velvet softness in the coordination."

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