Mantovani Horses Signs Established International Riders to Team for Olympic Pathway

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Portugal

Mantovani Horses, a Portuguese company that pursues excellence in high performance dressage sport, training and sales, has launched its expanded performance team for a pathway to Olympic success in 2028 - 2032.

Portuguese horse investor, stallion owner, and breeder Thiago Mantovani has grown his team by signing several established international dressage riders which he will supply with his horses to produce, compete and sell, under the watchful eye of trainer Norbert van Laak.

Major Milestones in Four Years

Mantovani began investing in exquisitely bred Lusitanos in the late 2010s and teamed up with Brazilian Olympian Joao Marcari Oliva. He rode Thiago's flagship stallion Escorial at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2022 World Equestrian Games.

With Mantovani's Nuelo and Orion de la Gesse (both by Escorial), Oliva competed at the 2022 and 2024 FEI World Breeding Championships for young dressage horses in Ermelo. Oliva also rode Feel Good VO to silver at the 2023 Pan American Games and the pair represented Brazil at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Team leader Joao Oliva on Escorial at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Although major milestones were achieved in those four years time, the ambitious Mantovani has a greater vision for the future. He aspires to see his horses represented at all major FEI Dressage Championships from young horse level to Grand Prix in the next decade.

A Powerhouse of Diverse Talent

To achieve those targets, he is growing his team with riders from different flags. On 21 October 2024 he officially introduced his powerhouse of diverse talent, singing no less than five new riders for his future project.

"Our new performance team brings together an elite group of international dressage riders that each have their own expertise, experience, and talent," said Thiago.

His team has Olympic flair as team leader Joao Marcari Oliva (BRA) will now be assisted by Olympian and long-time Spanish team rider Claudio Castilla Ruiz (ESP).

Thiago also welcomed WCYH finalist and young horse expert Maxi Kira von Platen (GER), who left Helgstrand Dressage after three years and then decided to ride for Mantovani Horses based out of her family's yard Platenhof in Wietze, Germany.

Further new additions are 34-year old Nicole Osterwald (AUT) and 27-year old Chloe Wren (GBR) who both gained experience in the international youth classes, while they've been honing their skills at national shows in recent years.

The pathway to future success is also paved with the footsteps of young talent such as Yara Fernandes (BRA), Marta Fernandes (POR), and Duda Mantovani (BRA), joined by the youngest in the house, 15-year old Yiyan Yao (CHN).

"It's an exceptional team of top-tier riders from across Europe and China," said Thiago. "My plan is to see them in the competition ring on Mantovani horses already next year, but with the Olympics in 2028 and 2032 as grand vision."

The House of Mantovani

Thiago hopes that this team of nine will expand the territory of his brand across the world.

"Each rider will be matched to the right horse to achieve the goals at their level. Ideally they will showcase the quality we have in our house and this will attract buyers from all over the world who want to breed, own and ride a carefully curated Mantovani horse."

The team will train under the guidance of Norbert Van Laak, who is known for his ability to bring out the best in both horses and riders.

"We expect that Norbert’s leadership will elevate the entire team’s performance," Thiago added. "With team members based across key locations in Portugal, Spain, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom and China, we are strategically positioning ourselves to new markets."

Brand Expansion Across Europe

Mantovani Horses wants to set high standards for excellence in the Lusitano horse community by blending competitive prowess with a commitment to the breed’s heritage. It offers foals, mares, embryos and young horses for sale as well as semen of its top dressage stallions. Interested parties are more than welcome to visit the stable in Portugal and meet the horses in person.

While Lusitanos are at the core of the company, Mantovani recently diversified its portfolio by including a select number of world class quality warmbloods.

"I'm poised to make a lasting impact on the dressage world and will stay true to my mission of promoting the Lusitano breed as they are such great performers with amazing rideability. Nonetheless, I want to offer world-class horses of any breed to both professional competitors and dedicated amateurs."

Follow @mantovanihorses on Instagram or visit www.mantovanihorses.com