Merits and Achievements
- 1974 - Obtained
the 1st planning permission to build a riding and training centre for tourism
purposes.
- Feb.1975 - mid 1977 - In Spain, specialised in the organisation and orientation
of tourist groups.
- Mestre-Picador of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art
- Owner and Technical Manager of the CELG - Centro Equestre da Leziria Grande
Lda. - Vila Franca de Xira
- Advisor for the Municipal Tourist Board of Vila Franca de Xira
- Technical Manager of the 'Royal
Horse Gala' - a group of 4 academies with approximately 40 horses and
20 riders, aiming at the promotion of the Baroque horse (From 1996 until 2002)
-
Technical Advisor for the A.P.S.L.
- Member of the Equestrian Directing Board of the FEP - Portuguese Equestrian
Federation
- 16.02.1998 Mestre de Equitação, "Riding Master"
certified by the FEI - International Equestrian Federation (n.271)
- May 1998 - Awarded a Medal of Municipal Merit by the Town Hall of Vila Franca
de Xira
- November 2000 - Golegã - Trophy 'Revista Equitação'
for 'Hipic Centres'
- Technical Director of the Equestrian Art and Tourist Centre Academy -'The
Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club" in Pattaya, Bangkok, Thailand.
- November 2001 - Golegã - 'Career Trophy'
- August 2002 - Awarded the Title of 'Patron' of the Equestrian Show Academy
of Versailles.
- June 2003 - President of the 15th Edition of the International Festival
of the Lusitano. During this festival a Tribute to him was made and the was
awarded the title of "Cavaleiro Honorário da Escola Portuguesa
de Arte Equestre" "Honorary member of the Portuguese School of Equestrian
Art"
Work Experience
Luis began riding in 1951 at José Mota's yard in Lisbon. He was taught his first lessons by Emilio Mota and carried on at the former Colégio Infante de Sagres which was owned by his Godfather and mentor, Fernando Ralão. The latter was the biggest influence in Luis' passion and consequent choice of life.
After the teachings by Mestre Mota and the experience gained with the aid of Fernando Ralão, Luis was privileged to be taught by the last 'Picador Real', D. José Manuel da Cunha Menezes. He then went on a placement at the yard of Póvoa de Sto Adrião, under the instruction of Mestre Nuno de Oliveira.
In 1963 Luis started to train horses professionally at the Infante de Sagres Yard. After this yard closed down, he continued his work at the Alameda das Linhas de Torres Yard (Lumiar) which also belonged to his godfather.
He trained a great
number of horses and riders until 1975. Some of the riders that began their
art with him are now placed in the main riding centres in Portugal and elsewhere.
Many belong the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, of which he is a member
since it was formed, in 1979.
From
1970 to 1975, alongside his work at the yard in Lumiar, Luis supervised the
creation of the 'Aroeira' country club in Lisbon. He also gave his full co-operation
to Mestre Nuno de Oliveira when the latter created his new yard 'Quinta do
Brejo' in Malveira. During many years he managed the 'Coudeleria' yard in
Cartaxo, belonging to Francisco Ribeiro.
Meanwhile he was asked to create and manage a new Hipic Centre in a Tourism Club in the Canary Islands - The Tauro Country Club (Porto Rico de Gran Canaria). In January 1976, this was awarded the Annual Prize for Tourism, a result of his effort and the achievement of this grand project. He had under his supervision a group of 24 horses with weekly shows with the participation of 8 riders.
On returning to Portugal he was invited to become a part of the then recently founded Portuguese School of Equestrian Art which subsequently went under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture from 1979 onwards.
From 1979 to 1997
he took part in all the activities and demonstrations put on by the Academy,
and although today his commitments with the Centre Equestre do not permit
him time to take part in the everyday activity of the Academy he continues
to be na Honorary member, from time to time taking on a particular horse for
special training.
From
1981 to 1983 he devoted himself to setting up the Centre Equestre de Leziria
Grande, a highly prestigious project in Vila Franca de Xira, at the heart
of the horse breeding area in Portugal, a region which is green and then largely
unspoilt. This project was created exclusively for horses and all the disciplines
associated with it. Work began in earnest in 1983, the like of which had never
been seen, a cultural heritage of highly trained horses and equally highly
trained riders, both of which hailed from the four corners of the earth. Today
the Centre Equestre de Leziria Grande still maintains its original inspiration
and the calling of those early days. Proof indeed that the love of horses
is worthwhile.
Centro
Equestre's main Events from 1984 - 1998 1984 FRANCE - "SALÃO
DO CAVALO " DE PARIS -DECEMBER REPRESENTAÇÃO OFICIAL DO
CAVALO LUSITANO 1985 SPAIN - VALÊNCIA
- FESTIVAL LUSO ESPANHOL - APRIL 1987 GERMANY - ESSEN "EQUITANA"
- MARCH REPRESENTAÇÃO CAVALO LUSITANO E INTEGRAND O HOP-TOP
SHOW 1987 SPAIN - VALÊNCIA
(PÁSCOA 1º GRUPO) - APRIL 1987 ITÁLY - FESTIVAL
HIPICO DE CARPIANO (2º GRUPO) - APRIL 1989 ITÁLY - MILÃO
"EQUUS "-APRIL- FEIRA INTERNACIONAL DE MILÃO
De Set.º de 1989 a Dez.º de 1991, houve um largo interregno devido ao surto de peste equina em Espanha e as fronteiras terrestres foram todas encerradas .
1991 FRANCE
- BORDÉUS - DECEMBER - JUMPING INTERNACIONAL - TAÇA VOLVO
1992 FRANCE
- PARIS - MARCH - SALÃO INT.AGRICULTURA DE PARIS
1992 SPAIN - SALAMANCA - JUNE - 1ª FÉRIA
GANADERA
1992 ENGLAND - BIRMINGHAM - JULY - ROYAL SHOW
1992 FRANCE
- ARLES - AUGUST - ARENAS ROMANAS
1992 FRANCE
- BÉZIERS - AUGUST
- FESTAS DA CIDADES
1992 SPAIN
- ÁVILA - AUGUST
- FÉRIA GANADERA
1994 FRANCE
- TARASCON - JUNE
- CHEVAL PRESTIGE
1994 ENGLAND
- BIRMINGHAM - JULY
- 2ª PRESENÇA NO
ROYAL SHOW
1994 FRANCE
- ST. MARIES DE LA MER - JULY
- FESTAS DA CIDADE
1994 FRANCE
- DAX - JULY
- FESTAS DA CIDADE
1994 FRANCE
- TARBES - AUGUST
- FESTAS DA CIDADE
1994 SPAIN
- ÁVILA / PIEDRAHITA - AUGUST
- FÉRIA GANADERA
1994 FRANCE
- RENNES - SEPTEMBER - JORNADAS EQUESTRES
1995 SWITZERLAND
- BERNE - BEA FEIRA INT. DA AGRICULTURA
1995 GERMANY - STÜTTGART OCTOBER
- JUMPING INTERNCIONAL
1995 AUSTRIA - VIENA - NOVEMBER - JUMPING INTERNACIONAL
1996 FRANCE
- AVIGNON - JANUARY - FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL
1997 BELGIUM
- BRUXELAS - 4 a 5 OCTOBER -CAMP. INTE.R. CAVALO LUSITANO
1998 FRANCE
- FONTAINEBLEAU - 11 E 12 JUNE - NSTITUTO INSEAD
1998 BELGIUM
- BRUXELAS - SOIRÉE DE GALA "ICEP" - 2 E 3 OCTOBER
HOMENAGEM A MESTRE NUNO DE OLIVEIRA
Royal Horse Gala Events 1996 - 2003
The Centre Equestre da Lezíria Grande, as Ambassador for Portuguese Equestrian Art, and Promoter of the Lusitano Horse, belongs to an organisation called "The Royal Horse Gala". Since 1996 this organisation has presented Shows in over a dozen countries, with a profound cultural content. The Shows have been staged in all the main venues in Europe, and are for the general public. Mestre Luis Valença was this Technical Director.
Short and medium term projects
He is currently collaborating with journalists and publications from various countries, for example with Mette and Jan Lindblad jr. They are great enthusiasts and the principle exponents of the Lusitano horse in Sweden.
Today we see the launch
of a new phase of foreign
tours, named "Passion for the Horse" APASSIONATA
a completely new show, with new technical effects and choreography, a veritable
Equestrian Ballet
Present Objectives
Train the 60 horses
of the CELG.
Guide and train the young future riders.
Support the students of the Professional Centres - Abrantes, Alter and Santarém.
Organize Events and Congresses at the Centro Equestre.
Present the CELG's show, 'Horse and Mankind' at various shows and exhibitions
or whenever this is requested.
Luís
Valença Rodrigues, who worked during a lot of years with the famous "Mr.
Nuno Oliveira" is recognized today as one biggest contemporary trainers
of Iberian Horses.
At home in the "Centro Equestrian da Lezíria Grande" situated
in Vila Franca de Xira - Portugal, he teaches the classic horsemanship with
the horses and riders who come from the four corners of the world.
With his classes he reveals his perception of the nature of the horse and demonstrates
by specially adapted lessons how to get a strong basis for classic horsemanship,
he presents methods of work to leading to Mastery of High School
Name:
Luís Filipe Duarte Valença Rodrigues
Dob: 18/05/1946
Nationality: Portuguese
Address:
Quinta da Capela do Sr. da Boa Morte Povos
2600 Vila Franca de Xira
Telephone: + 351 263 28 51 60
+ 351 917 30 75 29
email: celg@mail.telepac.pt
web: www.celg.pt
Academic Qualifications:
General secondary education
Attended
School of Veterinary Medicine 1968/1969/1971