by Marci
Plopper
(Reprinted
with permission from author) |
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My love affair began in Brazil, July
of 2004. The object of my affection
was Uracum the black stallion we all
dreamed of as little girls. I purchased
him and shipped him to Portugal to train
with Jorge Sousa and Jeanette Jenny.
I am having a Lusitano love affair.
I have spent the past 2 months in Portugal,
with my new partner Uracum. Jorge met
me at the airport in Lisbon on December
2. I had been preparing for this new
chapter of my life for 5 months. I had
been studying Portuguese and Lusitano
(not really). I left San Diego and flew
to Lisbon. Excitement propelled me.
I had my new world phone and was ready
to meet my new world. I followed Jorge
in my Seat car and 40 minutes later
arrived in Samora Corria, a small village
on the opposite side of the river from
Lisbon. The farm is beautiful. It is
on an estuary and nature preserve. The
barn is built in the classical Portuguese
style with a tile roof. I was immediately
impressed upon entering to see 18 Lusitano
stallions housed next to each other
in an immaculate stable. I knew Uracum
immediately, he was the only black one
there. I could hardly wait to ride him,
but exhaustion prevailed and I decided
to take it easy the rest of the day.
Jorge riding
Umaro
I am very impressed with the training
methods Jorge uses. A lot of training
is done in hand. These horses are the
most respectful, intelligent animals
I believe I have ever encountered. Of
course the rides are not going without
incident because just as any young being,
whether it be horse or human, it is
natural to test the limits. There is
never any yelling or over reaction to
these childish outbursts here. Everything
is handled and forgotten and we continue
with the education process. I like these
methods very much. The young horses
are all started inside, without distraction.
The concentration on the handler or
rider is very important at this stage
and must be 100%. I am learning so much.
Some days have been lessons only in
hand. I am getting to know my young
stallion quite well.
I have the privilege also of riding
2 older stallions, Oaest, a nine year
old grey and Spartacus, a 5 year old
who was presented at the World Dressage
Forum in Holland in 2004. My horse will
stay in Portugal with Jorge for the
moment and I will compete him in Europe.
He has his passport and I have mine.
I thank the USEF for permission to compete
here in the coming year. I will write
soon and let you know how things are
going.
Regards,
Marci
Marci &
Jorge
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