For Portuguese elite dressage riders the start of the 2025 show season has begun in the absence of a team trainer and with no clear competition plan.
The Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP) did not instate a new dressage committee, nor extended its contract with team trainer Kyra Kyrklund.
2024: Breakdown of Technical Structure
Three months into the new show year and with the 2025 European Championships in Crozet in August as season highlight, Portugal's top Grand Prix riders feel kept in the dark about team selection and whether there will be an supporting team trainer this year.
In May 2024 the federation's vice president Luis Faisca resigned due to a communication breakdown within the technical staff. FEP's president and managing director Bruno Alfredo Pinto Rente (49) took over Faisca's responsibilities and continued onwards with his technical team including team trainer Kyra Kyrklund as well as Bruno Miranda and António Frutuoso de Melo.
In June 2024 the Portuguese Dressage Committee resigned in full "due to the breakdown of the relationship of transparency and trust between the management and the committee," as Equitacao reported.
Kyra Kyrklund remained committed to the riders and took the Portuguese dressage team to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Portugal finished 12th and did not make it into the Team Final (Grand Prix Special).
2025: What's the Plan?
On 12 December 2024 elections for the new term took place at the Portuguese Equestrian Federation. No new dressage committee was elected and Kyra Kyrklund's contract as team trainer has not been renewed.
"So far I don’t have a contact with Portugal," Kyrklund told Eurodressage, adding that communications already fell silent during the summer.
The official page with rules, regulations and show plans on the FEP website remains empty for 2025.
So far the only communication riders received is an email from António Frutuoso de Melo, stating FEP has the "intention of participating" in the Nations Cup competitions in Compiegne and Lier, where also a CDI 3* takes place. FEP also has the "intention to compete with a team" at the Europeans.
Riders were asked if they want to participate in these shows. No structured plan is presented about which shows count for team selection, whether riders have the free choice to compete at any CDI and if the team selection will be based on scores anywhere throughout the season.
Eurodressage inquired twice with president Bruno Rente about Portugal's show plans but never received a reply.
Photo © Carlos Hernani
Related Links
Further Breakdown of Portuguese Technical Staff Structure - Dressage Committee Resigns
Luís Júdice Faísca Resigns as Portuguese Dressage Team Selector
FEP Board Confirms Trust in and Continuance with Team Trainer Kyra Kyrklund