Rodrigo Torres Claims Third GP Champion's Title - Broega, Vintila, Lopes Win Youth Classes at 2022 Portuguese Championships

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2022 Portuguese Dressage Championships

Rodrigo Torres claimed the third title of Grand Prix Champion in his career at the 2022 Portuguese Dressage Championships held at the Quinta da Beloura Equestrian Center on 22 - 25 September 2022.

Yoann Pinto rode his father's former team horse Santurion de Massa to the Under 25 title, while in the youth divisions Guilherme Lourenço Broega (children), Briana Alexandra Vintila (juniors), and Sebastião Lucas Lopes (young riders) got the gold.

Seniors: Rodrigo Torres Reclaims Title

Portuguese Olympian Rodrigo Torres reclaimed his title as National Grand Prix Champion aboard his steady partner, the 12-year old Lusitano stallion Fogoso Horsecampline (by Rico x Raja).

After riding in the 2022 World Cup Finals and 2022 CDIO Aachen, Torres waved a team selection for the World Championships Dressage, opting to rest his horse with the 2024 Paris Olympics as ultimate goal. The pair was up for a weekend show at the Nationals and was undefeated. The pair scored 74.435% in the Grand Prix, 73.809% in the Special, and 74.195% in the freestyle.

World Championship team rider Martim Meneres and his 13-year old Lusitano Equador (by Peralta Pinha x Novilheiro) claimed the silver with 68.283 (3rd - Grand Prix), 69.830% (3rd - GP Special), and 72.770% (2nd - Kur).

The bronze medal went to a newcomer, Gustavo Mendes with his 12-year old Lusitano Feiticeiro (by Satelite). The pair made its international show debut at Grand Prix level this year and was not even squad listed at the beginning of the year even though he participated in the observation session. Seven months later, the combination has progressed leaps and bounds and snatched the bronze medal at the National Championships. He scored 67.239% (4th), 68.490 (4th), and 67.100% (3rd). He edged out Roberto Brasil on Hercules d'Atela

Portuguese long-time rider Maria Caetano was in strong contention for the silver medal after two second places aboard the 10-year old Lusitano cross breds Hit Plus (by Bretton Woods x Peralta Pinha). Unfortunately they had to withdraw from the freestyle as the horse developed some colic signs overnight and was pulled for his welfare.

Children: Guilherme Lourenço Broega

In the youngest FEI endorsed age category, the children division for 12 to 14 year olds, Guilherme Lourenço Broega claimed the gold medal aboard the 6-year old Lusitano Minuto (by Impar II). He was second in the preliminary test (72.411%), second in the team test (70.933%) and won the individual test (76.318%) for win the gold medal.

Mariana Nogueira Vaz and the 15-year old Portuguese bred Com-Tornado got the silver, while Leonor Coelho on the 13-year old Lusitano Esguia got bronze.

Junior riders: Briana Alexandra Vintila

In the junior division Briana Alexandra Vintila wielded the axe of power, claiming top places on two horses, Inana B and Augusta MV. Only eligible to ride one horse in the last round, the Kur, Briana opted for 9-year old KWPN mare Inana B (by Painted Black x Jazz) and won the title. This combination won the team test with 71.455%, was second in the individual with 70.706%, and topped the board in the Kur to Music with 72.650%.

The silver went to Nicole Antunes da Silva on the 8-year old Hanoverian Funji (by Funtime x Brentano II), while the bronze was for Francisca Castro Monteiro with the 9-year old Hanoverian Invictus VF (by Rotspon).

Young Riders: Sebastião Lucas Lopes

Sebastião Lucas Lopes, Portugal's kur to music finalist at the 2022 European Young Riders Championships in Hartpury, was unbeatable on home turf aboard the 9-year old Lusitano Inquieto Lezirias (by Quixote x Fandango). He won the team test with 71.029%, the individual with 71.176% and the Kur to Music with 75.655%.

Marta Fernandes Marques on the 8-year old Lusitano Jardineiro (by Altivo x Hercules) followed in the distance in second place for silver, while Ana Carolina Gonçalinho on the 7-year old Hanoverian Spartacus (by Sarotti Mocca Sahne x Fidertanz) got bronze.

Under 25: Yoann Pinto on Schoolmaster Santurion

Yoann Pinto, son of former Portuguese GP team rider Daniel Pinto, has made a successful move into the Under 25 Grand Prix division on his father's 16-year old Lusitano crossbred Santurion de Massa (by Munchhausen x Estoiro). The bay stallion represented Portugal at the 2015 and 2017 European Championships but in recent years struggled with fitness issues for top level sport and was no longer competed internationally since October 2021. Yoann Pinto has taken over the reins and he won his first Under 25 title after scoring winning marks in the Inter II (70.765%), the Short Grand Prix (72.359%), and the Kur (77.265%).

Team Trainer Kyra Kyrklund at the U25 podium

Last year's U25 champion Francisco Vila Nova and his 16-year old Westfalian Sir Saburo (by Sir Donnerhall x Ehrentusch) competed at the European Young Riders and Under 25 Championships three years in a row (2019 - 2021) but did not go to Budapest this year for the 2022 Europeans. At the Nationals they won silver, while Mariana Assis da Silva on the 14-year old Oldenburg Serano (by Serano Gold) got bronze.

Complete scores here.

Bartz, Meneres, Castelo, Caetano, Godinho, Cancio, Carvalho Win 2016 Portuguese Championships
Goncalo Carvalho Wins 2015 Portuguese Grand Prix Championships
Maria Caetano Wins 2014 Portuguese Dressage Championships
Castelo and Ralao Duarte Win 2014 Portuguese Junior and Young Riders Championships
Maria Caetano Crowned 2013 Portuguese Grand Prix Champion
Goncalo Carvalho Wins 2012 Portuguese Dressage Championships
Maria Caetano, 2008 Portuguese Grand Prix Dressage Champion
Miguel Ralão Duarte, 2007 Portuguese Dressage Champion