Crusades Dressage

Sérgio was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He grew up in a village outside of Lisbon in a family that knew nothing of horses. At a young age Sergio grew a passion for horses and begged for riding lessons. Sérgio began riding with instructors that had learned from the Master Nuno Oliviera, he learned later how lucky he was to be under their guidance. He soaked up everything equestrian, and during school maintained jobs caring for horse athletes in Dressage and bullfighting.

After high school Sérgio began his course at the selective Centro Militar de Educacao Fisica e Desportos under Portuguese and French philosophy. He spent 8 hours daily on horseback learning eventing, vaulting, show jumping, and dressage. In the classroom, Sérgio learned equine anatomy and physiology, common ailments of the horse, and how a rider's body can work with or against the horse. The course required long hours and strict attention to detail. Militarily based, the program did not accept excuses.

After graduating with his FEI/FEP recognition, Sérgio began working at Alcainca riding school where he taught equestrian tourists dressage on highly trained Lusitano stallions. While happy in Portugal, Sérgio was not content knowing that he would not be able to compete. With meager wages and long hours of work, Sérgio was not able to afford a horse to compete with. After making connections with and receiving encouragement from American tourists, he decided to try to further his career and follow his Olympic dreams in North America.

Sérgio & Donner Bube

Sérgio remained in the United States for three years working and competing. Sérgio has spent the last five years making a name for himself in the Canadian Dressage community; training, teaching, and competitng in Canada. In 2006 Sérgio successfully competed aboard Olympic Andalusians' Andalusian stallion, Mareo at fourth level. In 2007 Sérgio teamed with Telegraph Harbour Inn, over seeing the purchase of several Canadian Warmbloods. Sérgio competed on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver on Don Diego a Canadian Warmblood gelding by Donner Bube, earning several championships with a season high score of 81.66%. Sérgio also coached several working students from this farm who also rode and competed on young Canadian Warmbloods. At the moment Sérgio is preparing  2 Lusitanos, 3 Andalusians and 1 Frisien for the next show season.

(Top) Sérgio and Olympic Andalusians' stallion, Mareo fourth level     

(Bottom) Centro Militar de Educacao Fisica e Desportos annual instructor's presentation in Mafra, Portugal