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Internacional Equestrian Destination

Since the Classical Antiquity times, from the Mediterraneum, to the Black and the Caspian Basins, the Lusitano horse has been, and still is a living symbol, if not the personification of the rich genetic inheritance whose roots date back to Portugal and Andalucia. In the heart of the land that has given the horse its name, (Lusitania), lies the oldest town in Portugal. Since many centuries ago, the region has been developing itself in close proximity to this evolved equine, and it has inevitabilly lead to its quick and agile domestication, from early times. Mostly known as the oldest Western saddle horse, the Lusitano remained in history as a farming horse, as a hunting horse, and even as a battle horse, native from these lands. Actually, with so many legends orbiting its memory, almost nothing is certain of what is said about the Lusitano Horse. Certain is only one astounding versatility that has been bestowed by the centuries of evolution, versatility that makes him an extremely suittable specimen for the Haute École exercises. Native from Lusitan lands, many and many centuries after, it is still there, in the exact same place where it first left, to travel the routes of the world. 

This was the purpose that in 2006 prompted the Municipality of Ponte de Lima to design a strategy and to draw up a set of actions that have culminated in the active preservation of tradition resulting from the use of this landmark an endogenous resource whose potential for wealth Is unique in all forms of its assertion.

Dimension, visibility, and numerous prizes and distinctions – these have been the results accomplished by the strategy above mentioned. And there is no bigger proof of these accomplishments, than the prizes and distinctions that Ponte de Lima has been awarded with: The Horse Fair was Recognized by the National Association of Equestrian Tourism with the "Portuguese Equestrian Tourism"; Ponte de Lima was  Awarded as "Best Horseball Destination”  by the International Federation of this Sport, in 2016; And in 2017, Ponte de Lima’s Municipallity has been part of world class events, as the "The London International Horse Show”.

The High Competition Equestrian Spot has an important role in Ponte de Lima, as it motivates a series of dynamics, wether they are social, cultural, or economic. This last dynamic is probably the most relevant, as it brings a seven digit anual direct income to the region - a value slightly above the 6 million euros. This is, and will be a continuous bet of the Municipality, also because it widens the equestrian sport access, to locals, and non-locals. Simultanuously it is allied to tourism and leisure. This ambivalence ends up reaching new targets, and market segments, making Ponte de Lima into one of the equestrian circuit capitals. These are only some of the various reasons that explain the events great affluence rate, wich is "contained” by two high-competition arena with adapted floors, and with a eco-tier of benchs. Expolima extends for about 70.000 square meters, has room for 75 expositors and parking lot for 3.000 vehicles.

To visit Ponte de Lima under the dynamics of the project "Ponte de Lima, International Equestrian Destination”, also under the dynamics of the "mother-project” "Ponte de Lima ConVida”, means to get lost in the alleys practically inaccessible to traffic, that spreads from Largo de Camões, in a labyrinth of contrasts, between Paço do Marquês and Avenida de S. João. It means to cross the small street markets with traditional food, vegetables, and even flowers, stached in every corner and square possible, early on the morning. It means to day-dream around medieval towers and facades, as they give way to barroque churches and chapels, planted on Lima’s margins. It means to feel the quiet energy rising with the sun in Expolima, the colors of the garments, the smell of the leather clothes, and the sound of hooves, here and there. There is something disquieting, indefinable, about this "excess” of History, of Culture, of Life, in so little geography, that under the purview of "Ponte de Lima ConVida” and "Ponte de Lima, International Equestrian Destination, It focuses on quality of life, and a set of conditions that make it ideal for investing, visiting, working and living.

PT | Destino Equestre Internacional
ES | Destino Ecuestre Internacional
FR | Destination Equestre Internacionale



Description
Since the Classical Antiquity times, from the Mediterraneum, to the Black and the Caspian Basins, the Lusitano horse has been, and still is a living symbol, if not the personification of the rich genetic inheritance whose roots date back to Portugal and Andalucia. In the heart of the land that has given the horse its name, (Lusitania), lies the oldest town in Portugal. Since many centuries ago, the region has been developing itself in close proximity to this evolved equine, and it has inevitabilly lead to its quick and agile domestication, from early times. Mostly known as the oldest Western saddle horse, the Lusitano remained in history as a farming horse, as a hunting horse, and even as a battle horse, native from these lands. Actually, with so many legends orbiting its memory, almost nothing is certain of what is said about the Lusitano Horse. Certain is only one astounding versatility that has been bestowed by the centuries of evolution, versatility that makes him an extremely suittable specimen for the Haute École exercises. Native from Lusitan lands, many and many centuries after, it is still there, in the exact same place where it first left, to travel the routes of the world. 

This was the purpose that in 2006 prompted the Municipality of Ponte de Lima to design a strategy and to draw up a set of actions that have culminated in the active preservation of tradition resulting from the use of this landmark an endogenous resource whose potential for wealth Is unique in all forms of its assertion.

Dimension, visibility, and numerous prizes and distinctions – these have been the results accomplished by the strategy above mentioned. And there is no bigger proof of these accomplishments, than the prizes and distinctions that Ponte de Lima has been awarded with: The Horse Fair was Recognized by the National Association of Equestrian Tourism with the "Portuguese Equestrian Tourism"; Ponte de Lima was  Awarded as "Best Horseball Destination”  by the International Federation of this Sport, in 2016; And in 2017, Ponte de Lima’s Municipallity has been part of world class events, as the "The London International Horse Show”.

The High Competition Equestrian Spot has an important role in Ponte de Lima, as it motivates a series of dynamics, wether they are social, cultural, or economic. This last dynamic is probably the most relevant, as it brings a seven digit anual direct income to the region - a value slightly above the 6 million euros. This is, and will be a continuous bet of the Municipality, also because it widens the equestrian sport access, to locals, and non-locals. Simultanuously it is allied to tourism and leisure. This ambivalence ends up reaching new targets, and market segments, making Ponte de Lima into one of the equestrian circuit capitals. These are only some of the various reasons that explain the events great affluence rate, wich is "contained” by two high-competition arena with adapted floors, and with a eco-tier of benchs. Expolima extends for about 70.000 square meters, has room for 75 expositors and parking lot for 3.000 vehicles.

To visit Ponte de Lima under the dynamics of the project "Ponte de Lima, International Equestrian Destination”, also under the dynamics of the "mother-project” "Ponte de Lima ConVida”, means to get lost in the alleys practically inaccessible to traffic, that spreads from Largo de Camões, in a labyrinth of contrasts, between Paço do Marquês and Avenida de S. João. It means to cross the small street markets with traditional food, vegetables, and even flowers, stached in every corner and square possible, early on the morning. It means to day-dream around medieval towers and facades, as they give way to barroque churches and chapels, planted on Lima’s margins. It means to feel the quiet energy rising with the sun in Expolima, the colors of the garments, the smell of the leather clothes, and the sound of hooves, here and there. There is something disquieting, indefinable, about this "excess” of History, of Culture, of Life, in so little geography, that under the purview of "Ponte de Lima ConVida” and "Ponte de Lima, International Equestrian Destination, It focuses on quality of life, and a set of conditions that make it ideal for investing, visiting, working and living.

PT | Destino Equestre Internacional
ES | Destino Ecuestre Internacional
FR | Destination Equestre Internacionale

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