Sons of the Wind Farm
by Frances Rosser Taylor, Northeast Equine Journal, May, 1998

The ancient and noble horse of the Iberian Peninsula known as the Lusitano of Portugal has a long, history of bravery and athleticism, able to fight with speed and agility as well as perform intricate "high school" dressage movements. Today there are only 107 registered Lusitanos throughout the entire United States. That number was recently increased by five when Vitor Silva of Sons of the Wind Farm in Deerfield, NH, imported two colts and three fillies from Brazil. These future studs and broodmares represent the "best of the best" Lusitano breeding, a strategic crossing of the Veiga and Andrade bloodlines of Portugal. In 1995, Vitor Silva started importing Lusitanos to this country, focusing on the Veiga and Andrade bloodlines. The Veiga strain produces horses with great courage and power, as these horses were bred for the traditional Portuguese bull ring. In addition, the Veiga blood ensures a great mind with profound ability to to work. The Andrade bloodlines produce a larger-sized horse with substantial bone and sturdiness. A crossing of horses carrying the most pure qualities of these two lines results in intelligent, courageous, strong, naturally balanced athletes suited to a variety of disciplines.

According to Vitor, these horses are not only superlative in the dressage arena, but also in reining, show jumping (John Whittaker of England successfully campaigned Novilheiro, his jumping Lusitano, to many distinguished wins worldwide), eventing, and simple pleasure riding. The Lusitano's bravery and intelligence makes him an excellent and safe companion on the trail - riders have reported the Lusitano's unflappable nature when confronted by the unexpected (and scary) elements encountered while out riding. To see and learn more of this spectacular breed, visit Sons of the Wind Farm in Deerfield, NH.

To understand Vitor Silva and his goals as owner 'if the newly established Sons of the Wind Farm in Deerfield, New Hampshire, one must first have a rudimentary understanding of the Lusitano breed. It is Vitor's devotion to this Iberian horse that has driven him to create a facility with the purpose of importing and breeding these unique animals.

I must admit that until recently I knew very little about this Portuguese breed, or its close Spanish relative, the Andalusian, but the More I see and learn, the more impressed I am. On my first visit to Sons of the Wind, I Could see that these were very special horses in many ways. Watching them perform classical movements, I was struck by theIr natural impulsion and their ability to execute collected movements, as well as by their willing temperaments. Talking to Vitor, I was totally fascinated by their rich history.

It is temperament that seems always to be mentioned first by Lusitano owners as a consistent qualitv of the breed. Both stallions and mares are said to develop strong and loyal relationships with their owners. Colts are almost always left intact, as stallions are easily handled and can live alongside one another in their stalls without incident. As Vitor points out, because of their dispositions, they can be kept as stallions, and thus retain their natural spark.

A stroll down the aisles of Sons of the Wind brings the attention of visitors to the unique physical attributes of these horses. One cannot help but notice their conformation, including their short backs with strong, broad loins, the deep rib cage, and rounded hindquarters with sloping croup and low set tail. These characteristic traits are what enable them to produce powerful, rounded gaits with a very energetic, forward-going hock, action.

It is also hard to miss their look of nobility, a presence that has been depicted countless times in artwork that spans numerous centuries, created in part by their well proportioned, deep, and muscular necks that have a pronounced arc that sets into a powerful, sloping shoulder. Add to this their trademark convex profile with their large and slightly almond shaped eyes adorned by a luxurious forelock and mane, and you have a special combination of beauty and athleticism.

As Vitor notes, the breed also possesses slender but muscular extremities with excellent dense bone which adds to their strong and hardy constitution. Historically, these are tough horses. They are horses that for centuries were bred for the battlefield and the bullring, producing an animal of courage, soundness, agility and power. These qualities contribute greatly to their success in the art of classical dressage for which they are more recently becoming known in this country.

As a native of Portugal, Vitor grew up riding Lusitanos. "The dream of every young man in Portugal is to became a 'cavaleiro' - the bullfighter on horseback," explains Vitor, ":so you must first be trained in the art of classical horsemanship." It is this classical training and a passion for these special horses that Vitor brought with bin when he first came to the United States in 1982. Realizing that the U.S. provided business opportunities not available in his homeland, Vitor stayed here and decided that someday he would establish his own equine facility and import Lusitanos to this country. Now that he has built a very successful business career, that dream is becoming a reality.

Vitor actually began importing Lusitanos before he found his own place. Since importing his first stallion in 1995, Vitor has brought a total of ten horses into this country. Now that he has purchased his own farm, he is busy building a base of breeding stock to supply the increasing demand for young stock as the talents of these horses become better known to the general public. He is also working to keep a supply of trained horses available for sale to his growing list of prospective clients. "I don't breed or buy for fashion - I try to select the best of the best," he professes.

Currently at Sons of the Wind there are three Lusitano stallions, including the highly trained and talented seven-year-old Trovador, as well as Neguinho, a four-year-old that Vitor describes as "an extraordinary animal with a great mind - he is very advanced for his age." Neguinho possesses pure Veiga bloodlines, one of the most elite lines in Lusitano lineage.

Among the younger horses residing in the barn at the moment is a colt named Previlegio, a buckskin colt with a strong Veiga heritage that was recently purchased by Patricia Carter of London, New Hampshire. "He is a very special horse," says Vitor, "and I congratulate her on a wise purchase." The barn also houses a number of other young horses, some of which Vitor plans on keeping as breeding stock and some of which are for sale, along with a number of horses that are in for training.

On a recent trip to Portugal, Vitor was able to obtain an agreement to import three more horses: a sevenyear-old, a four-year-old, and a three-year-old. "These are horses that people can ride and enjoy. That's what these horses are all about," remarks Vitor.

Vitor is always eager to demonstrate to visitors the meaning of that enjoyment, offering them a chance to both watch his horses in action and experience their skills firsthand from the saddle. During one of my visits, Vitor graciously provided me with the privilege of riding Trovador, which proved to be one of the highlights of my winter season.

This welcoming attitude that Vitor embodies obviously permeates the atmosphere in the barn. According to one of his students, Mary Royce, "Vitor's energy and love for the horses is contagious. In lessons he is patient, positive, and tactful, while being very generous with his knowledge. He wants everyone to enjoy their horse."

Vitor also takes his demonstrations on the road to exhibitions around the country, including an upcoming appearance at Equitana in Louisville, Kentucky, in June. He has performed at Equitana for the past two years; this year, he and long-time friend Frank Grelo of Ontario, Canada, will be riding a pas de deux in traditional costume and authentic Portuguese saddles, using Trovador as one of their mounts. They will also demonstrate, with the aid of a human "bull," the art of the cavaleiro. As Vitor notes, even though Americans don't necessarily understand the culture and history of the bullfight, they appreciate the horsemanship involved.

To acquaint people here in the Northeast with the Lusitano, and to demonstrate their versatility, Sons of the Wind Farm will be holding an open house on May 24, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be tours and refreshments with demonstrations from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., giving people a glimpse of what the barn and the horses have to offer.