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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COMPETITIONS, AWARDS AND SHOWS:
1993:
Caruso: Champion of Preliminar Series– Cavalry Regiment of 9 of July
Caruso: 1st Classified Série Média 1 CAN de Porto Alegre
Caruso: Champion of Ranking Inter Clubes São Paulo
Êda: Champion of Preliminar Series CAN Rio de Janeiro
1994:
Caruso: 3rd Classified S. Jorge CAN Level at Cavalry Regiment of 9 of July
Caruso: Vice-Champion S. Jorge Level at Taça São Paulo Haras Bawani
Caruso: 3rd Classified Prix S. Jorge at Samsung FEI Dressage
Desert Fire: Champion Inter Clubs Série Média
Desert Fire: Vice-Champion Série Média at Ranking Paulista
1995:
Caruso: Champion Paulista Série S. Jorge/ Inter I
Desert Fire: Champion Forte I CAN Curitiba
1996:
Remus: Champion Série Média Inter Clubes – Clube de Campo São Paulo
Remus: Champion Série Média CAN – Clube Hípico São Amaro
Caruso: Vice-Champion S. Jorge Inter I – CAN Curitiba
Caruso: 3rd Classified Prix S. Jorge FEI Dressage Challenge
1997:
Remus: Vice-Champion Série Forte I Campeonato Paulista – Sociedade Hípica Paulista
Remus: Champion Forte I Taça Brasil S.H.P.
Caruso: Champion Paulista Série Forte II S.H.P.
Hino: Champion Série Média I CAN – Clube Hípico São Amaro
Hino: Champion no Preliminar Test FEI Dressage Challenge
Weltspring: Champion da Taça São Paulo – Clube de Campo São Paulo
1998:
Year’s Outstanding Title by the Brazilian Association of Show Jumping Horse Breeders
1998 Efficiency Trophy from the São Paulo Equestrian Federation
Remus: Champion Paulista Forte I – Clube Campo São Paulo
Hino: 2nd Classified Preliminar Dressage Test – "Alfred Dunhill", FEI World Dressage Challenge
1999:
Hino: Champion Paulista Série Média – Clube de Campo São Paulo
Hino: Vice-Champion of the Advanced Test FEI World Dressage Challenge 2000
Hino: Champion Série Média I of the International Exhibition of Lusitano Horses (Exposição do Cavalo Lusitano)
2001:
Guido: 1st Classified of 30th Copa São Paulo Série S. Jorge – Sociedade Hípica Paulista
Caruso: 1st Classified of 1st Step of the Campeonato Paulista Série S. Jorge Inter I – CHSA
Pensamento: Champion Série Forte I CAN Campeonato Brasileiro de Adestramento
Pensamento: Champion Série Forte I of the International Exhibition of Lusitano Horses (Exposição do Cavalo Lusitano)
2002:
Acapulco Gold: Vice-Champion Série Forte II – CAN CHSA
Pensamento: Champion of S. Jorge of the International Exhibition of Lusitano Horses (Exposição do Cavalo Lusitano)
Caruso: Vice-Champion of the category Sénior Top/Grande Prémio Ranking Inter Clubes
2003:
Pensamento: Vice-Champion of Série Forte II of the Exibition of Lusitano ( Exposição de Lusitanos PQ. Água Branca
Guido: Vice-Champion da Taça Brasil – CAN Sociedade Hípica Paulista
Acapulco Gold: 1st Classifed 2nd Stage of the Brazil Cup – São Paulo Country Club (Taça Brasil Clube de Campo São Paulo)
2006:
Urano: Champion of The Beginners Category of São Paulo (Categoria Estreante da Taça São Paulo)
Jogral: 1st Classified Intermediária II do Ranking Paulista do Lusitano
Orlando: Vice-Champion Série Forte II Inter Clubes
2007:
Orlando: 1st Classified Inter I, da 1st Step of the Campeonato Paulista da ABPSL e Ranking Paulista
Alyance: 2nd Classified Intermediária II no CAN Cavalry Regiment of 9 of July (Regimento de Cavalaria 9 de Julho)
2008:
Urano: Vice-Champion of Categoria Estreante da 1st Etapa Campeonato Paulista da ABPSL/Copa Mantecorp
Ninfo: Vice-Champion Grande Prémio e Grande Prémio Especial Taça São Paulo – CHSA
2009:
Urano: Champion Média II Categoria Profissional CAN, 3ª Etapa CPA
Urano: Champion Média II at the International Exibition of Lusitanos (Exposição Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano
2010:
Urano: Vice-Champion Série Forte I at the International Exibition of Lusitanos (Exposição Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano)
Ninfo: 1st Classified S. Jorge at 3rd Step of the Campeonato Paulista
Outros Destaques:
Representation of Portugal in international competitions (CDI 3 Stars) from 1996 to 2010
Coach for Juniors and Young Riders at the Brazilian Equestrian Confederation (3 years)
Dressage Director at Clube Hípico de Santo Amaro (3 years)
Dressage Director at the São Paulo Equestrian Federation (3 years)
Judge at the São Paulo Equestrian Federation (all levels)
Between 1993 and 2010, provided guidance in training high-performance horses and riders in Show Jumping and Eventing, including: Marcelo Artiaga, Álvaro Afonso de Miranda (Doda), Nando Miranda, Manuel Poladian Jr., Serguei Fofanoff, Fernando Brasil, Rémo, Marcio Jorge
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