Classical Riding Tour Trainers
The most important part of the Warneyswhip Classical Riding Tours is definitely the quality and variety of highly skilled Classical trainers.
Our aim was to give riders the chance to train with the horse men and women that inspired me to train in Portugal, and who I admire so much.
We want to give classical enthusiasts the chance to train with the very best, on horses in training with these masters in private centres. This is a very unique opportunity as the vast majority of riding holidays offer lessons on school horses, horses that are mainly ridden by tourists.
We want riders to feel what a good piaffe and passage should feel Iike. We want them to experience the aid for one times changes and understand the balance for a good canter pirouette.
Once you have felt this on a well trained horse, it’s something that will improve your feeling and riding ability for the rest of your riding life.
Feedback like “best lesson of my life” and “most memorable day of my life”, makes us certain we are on the right track to give riders a truly special experience, with trainers that are one of a kind!
Pedro Torres
Two time World Champion of Working Equitation and Grand Prix international dressage rider, Pedro Torres trained for over ten years at the Portuguese school of Equestrian art, is a long time student of João Pedro Rodrigues, and now gives demonstrations and clinics all over the world.
João Pedro Rodrigues
A student of the great masters; Nuno de Oliveira, João Trigueiros de Aragão, Diogo de Lafões and Dr. Guilherme Borba, João Pedro Rodrigues joined the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in 1980, one year after it was foundered. He then went on to complete an internship at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria in 1983. An international judge for APSL, Joao Pedro has been Master-Chief Rider of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art since 2012.
A Lusitano horse breeder for over 30 years, João Pedro’s stud farm Coudelaria João Pedro Rodrigues | Jprlusitanos ,was recognised as the best Lusitano breeder on the FIPSL, and is the breeder with the most “Champion of Champions” titles in the last 40 years at the Golegã Lusitano festival.
Francisco Bessa de Carvalho
Founding the stud farm Lusitanos d'Atela in 1989, Francisco’s passion for horses began early on, beginning his riding career at the Picadeiro do Lumiar in Lisbon, where he met his first master, Luis Valença. In 1984, he joined the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE) and today is the Vice-Chief rider.
In 1992, he assumed the duties of Riding Instructor and Director of the Quinta da Fonte Santa - Equestrian Centre, where he continues today.
Miguel Ralão
Portuguese Olympian, Dressage trainer of the Portuguese National Working Equitation team, Dressage and Working Equitation judge, former technical advisor for the Equestrian National Federation and Technical Advisor for Working Equitation, Miguel Ralão trained for over 15 years with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, and teaches all over the world, while running his own Dressage Stable in Portugal, Dressage Lusitanos.
Training regularly himself with Kyra Kyrkland and Richard White, Miguel is an exceptional trainer and rider, with whom I myself was lucky enough to call him my trainer over many years during my time in Portugal.
Gilberto Filipe Silva
Back to back World Champion of Working Equitation 2018 and 2022, Gilberto Filipe has been dominating both national and international competitions for the last 5 years.
It is an absolute privilege to offer demonstrations and lessons with World’s current champion.
Martha Fernanda “Mafer” del Valle
Highest ranked Mexican rider on the FEI World Dressage Ranking, Martha Fernanda del Valle has competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is trained by Miguel Ralão.
"Mafer" has gone all the way to gain mileage and expertise, using stop-offs in Wellington, Germany and Portugal to fine-tune her partnership with her home bred Grand Prix Lusitano, Beduino LAM.
Rita Ralão
Current reserve for Paris Olympics, Grand Prix dressage rider and member of Portuguese Olympic Squad.
Filipe Canelas Pinto
"I consider myself a classical rider in that my ability stems from my origin in Portugal, but I also have a strong influence from the German technique. This is due to all of the training I have done with foreigners whom I interned and trained with throughout my riding career."
He owns and runs Quinta da Alorna Equestrian Centre with his wife Sofia in Almeirim, Portugal.