Sons of the Wind Farm, located in Deerfield, New Hampshire, proudly welcomes visitors and equine enthusiasts to explore the enchanting world of the Iberian horse. This exclusive equine nationality is represented by the one of the most classic horse breeds in the world: the renowned Portuguese Lusitano.

VitorJ. Silva, a Lusitanian native of Portugal, established Sons of the Wind Farm in the fall of 1997. He is truly a reflection of the centuries of workmanship, devoted to refining the Lusitano breed for supreme use in all disciplines. On a personal note, I found Vitor one of the most intriguing and dedicated horsemen that I have ever had the pleasure to interview. The legend of the Lusitano is very much alive in Vitor's lifelong passion for the Lusitano horse and is evident in all aspects of the Sons of the Wind Farm. The arena, barn and comfortable amenities display the magnificent culture behind the Lusitano horse through hand painted wall murals, paintings, pictures, flags and the beautiful horses themselves.

As a breeding farm, a sales and training facility, and a school of classical dressage, the farm has experienced a year of unparalleled success. Sons of the Wind Farm is looking forward to celebrating its first anniversary in May - exactly one year after Vitor opened the doors of his facility to the public. Last year's grand opening celebration was a stylish extravaganza, hosting over 500 people. Spirited demonstrations by the farm's fine Lusitano horses were accompanied by farm tours and an abundant sampling of exquisite Portuguese cuisine.

Sons of the Wind Farm's glowing success during its first year of business has proven beneficial in enhancing the reputation of the Lusitano breed and increasing the demand for these horses in the United States.

Historically, the Lusitano was bred for the battlefield and the bullring, producing a horse possessed of courage, soundness, agility and power. Similar in conformation and appearance to the Andalusian horse of Spain, both breeds are thought to originate from a common source, though genetic selection in the Lusitano has resulted in a more convex profile than that of the Andalusian, with a rounder head and body and shorter-coupled quarters.

The neck of the Lusitano is powerfully arched with a narrow hairline, deep at the base and set at a slightly wide angle to the shoulder, giving the impression of being fairly upright. A dense and silky mane and forelock compliment the large, generous, almond-shaped eyes. Slender but muscular extremities with excellent bone density contribute heavily to the breed's hardy constitution. Lusitanos are reputed to have the uncanny ability to read their rider's thoughts, and they are possessed of an alert and willing mind, as well as a body whose flexibility and energy seems limitless.

It is believed that the Iberian horse has been the common thread to many cultures, surviving through time as the vehicle of conquests and retreats and representing, to some, a living symbol of victory and power. During the period of history in which the influence of the Spanish and Portuguese empires were the most widespread, the Iberian horse was spread throughout Western Europe and the New World as the horse of the Conquistadors. As a result, its genetic influence has also been felt in a number of more "modern" horse breeds, including the Lipizzaner, the Holsteiner, the Oldenburg, the Hanoverian, the Friesian and the American Mustang. Eventually setting up their own stud book, the Portuguese were able to make great strides in monitoring and improving the breeding of Lusitano horses, resulting in a pure bloodline.

Following in the footsteps of history, Sons of the Wind Farm incorporates a strict criterion for selecting horses for its breeding program. In his typically meticulous style, Vitor has a passion for the Lusitano breed that shines through in his selective breeding program. The horses selected must be athletically suitable, with extraordinary genetic backgrounds and excellent conformation. They must show the natural grace and movement inherent to the breed in the arena, as well as their ability to carry the weight of the rider under saddle. In addition, they must have good training, and be able to express their abilities and skill. Horses used for breeding are not bred until they reach an age of five or six years. Vitor strategically selects from the Veiga and Andrade bloodlines of Portugal. Each, magnificent in appearance, produces a horse that is strong, intelligent and well balanced.

The farm is presently home to 11 stallions and five broodmares. The stallions are all easily handled and are able to live alongside one another in their stalls without incident. Colts are almost always left intact because, as Vitor points out, the superior disposition of the Lusitano horse allows them to be kept as stallions, thereby retaining their natural spark. The farm will breed only two of its wealth of stallions this year, having chosen a nine-year-old Veiga stallion by the name of Golega and an as yet untried fouryear-old stallion, Neguinho, also of pure Veiga lineage.

As a special adjunct to its master breeding program, Sons of the Wind also offers what Vitor refers to as a "choose your own program" breeding opportunity which allows clients to select a stallion and a filly from the premises to be selectively bred for a foal. Vitor calls the program, "a better investment" than buying a horse. "Although it takes longer to have a horse," he says, "it allows my clients to be active in the breeding process - to feel as though they have bred their own horse."

In May of 1998, Sons of the Wind Farm opened their Lusitano Classical Dressage Riding School, hosting students from Canada and the United States. As the schoolmaster of his facility, Vitor presents to his students exemplary training in the art of classical riding. With a strong background in classical dressage, he shares the knowledge and skill he has acquired through years of study with recognized riding masters of Portugal, as handed down from the great riding masters of past history.

The philosophies for the riding school stem from Vitor's driving passion for what he refers to as the "art" of riding, which demands excellence and, in turn, develops good riders and disciplined horses. The school accommodates students for up to one month or more in a personal, familytype setting for classical dressage and horsemanship training. All breeds are welcomed and some students opt to truck in for their schooling sessions.

In response to the overwhelming number of inquiries regarding the school, additional student accommodations are under construction in order for the school to continue to host international students. In addition to its in-house riding program, the school also hosts 4-H clubs and dressage groups. Lessons, both private and semi-private, are offered from Training level through Grand Prix. All of the school horses enrolled in the riding program at Sons of the Wind Farm are disciplined, wellmannered, and comfortable.

Testimonials from Vitor's students attest to the solid reputation of the farm's riding program. "I am very proud to be a student of Vitor Silva," comments one happy student. "As an adult never having taken lessons anywhere else, I wanted to learn classical riding from the very best."

Sons of the Wind Farm is a pioneer in importing Lusitanos from Portugal and Brazil to the United States, something they have done since 1995. Because they do not represent any Lusitano farm from abroad, Sons of the Wind is able to maintain an unbiased independence for import sales. Vitor visits Portugal and Brazil four to five times per year, often looking at hundreds of horses before selecting approximately seven to nine horses for import to the United States.

"Only two percent of all horses are excellent," says Vitor. "I try to find that two percent."

The Sons of the Wind Farm boasts a 100 percent success rate in matching horses to buyers through thoughtful and careful consideration of the prospective buyer's needs and abilities. Already preparing for its third shipment of horses in less than one year (several of which have already been purchased prior to import), the farm always offers a number of superb young horses for sale. The farm continues to draw interest from horse enthusiasts across the country, including riders from the Olympic team who are looking for new prospects.

Vitor and the Lusitano horses of Sons of the Wind Farm make many public appearances. For the last three years they have been featured at Equitana USA (the world's largest equine fair), and at various other fairs and special events across the country. Internationally, Sons of the Wind is recognized at equine events throughout Portugal, Brazil, Mexico and Canada.

Sons of the Wind Farm is looking forward to hosting several clinics as well as being featured in a television special, "Our Maine Horses," which will be aired on a cable network in Maine.

For more information on Sons of the Wind Farm, Vitor encourages people to visit the farm's new web site at: http://www.lusitanofarm.com. E-mail inquiries regarding breeding, classical dressage lessons or sales are always welcome. Or, call 603-463-9952 for further information.