BIOGRAPHY
My name is ANTÓNIO JOÃO GARCIA SOARES, and my journey in the world of horsemanship is a story of dedication, learning, and passion for horses. Since the age of 11, I was immersed in the equestrian universe when I began my training at the Portuguese Government Stud Farm (Alter Real Stud – Coudelaria Alter Real), where I spent my teenage years, from 11 to 19, learning Traditional Portuguese Riding and the High School (Haute École). This was the foundation for everything that followed.
At 19, I decided to take a bolder step in my career, becoming a professional rider at Haras Xavier de Lima, one of the largest Lusitano horse breeders, which provided me with invaluable experience in breeding and training these exceptional animals.
At 22, I opened my own training center in Sintra, where I began teaching and starting horses for Dressage, as well as training riders and preparing horses for Traditional Portuguese Riding performances. Over the years, I prepared horses for important figures in equestrian sport and bullfighting, such as riders Nuno Pardal and José Paulo, and served as assistant rider at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, specializing in High School riding.
In 1993, life took me to Brazil, where I developed my career as a Dressage trainer and competitor, training a number of successful students such as Patricia Besenbach and Dr. António Luis Macedo. During this period, I actively competed at a high level, achieving important victories and titles, including the 1998 Efficiency Trophy from the São Paulo Equestrian Federation and the Title of Highlight of the Year from the Brazilian Association of Sport Horse Breeders.
Between 1993 and 2010, representing Portugal in international competitions with Warmblood and Lusitano horses, I had the privilege of training elite horses and riders in both Show Jumping and Eventing, working with names such as Marcelo Artiaga, Doda Miranda, and Manuel Poladian Jr., as well as providing technical assistance to renowned Lusitano breeders including Haras Ianoni, Coudelaria dos Pinhais, and Haras Modelo, among others.
I also served as Dressage Director at Clube Hípico de Santo Amaro and at the São Paulo Equestrian Federation, as well as judge and high-performance training consultant, and Brazilian National Trainer for Juniors and Young Riders.
In 1999, I participated as Pan American Team Trainer in Winnipeg, Canada.
From 2013 to 2017, I completed four seasons (approximately five years) as Trainer/Rider at Tempel Lipizzans, presenting Young Horses, High Airs, Long Reins, and Carousel.
In 2018, I joined Escuela Clásica Lipizzana – Chile as Chief Riding Master (Mestre de Picadeiro) for a two-year period.
Currently, back in Portugal, the birthplace of the Lusitano horse, I am developing my own equestrian infrastructure in the municipality of Sintra (Lisbon), while also expanding into digital platforms to share knowledge and experiences.
Throughout this journey, my passion for horsemanship and horses has guided every step, and my story continues to be written in training arenas and competitions, where I constantly seek improvement, always with respect and admiration for these magnificent beings: horses.
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