Wellington, Florida – Week One: Where Our Story Meets the World Stage
Arriving in Wellington for the first week of the Global Dressage Festival felt like stepping straight into the heartbeat of international dressage. The energy, the scale, the rhythm of it all; arenas alive from early morning, riders moving between warm-up rings, conversations unfolding in every corner of the showgrounds. It is a place that can feel overwhelming at first, but also deeply inspiring.
What made this week truly special was seeing the La Donaira Lusitanos brand there, represented with such care, such intention, and such warmth. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed; not just as a partner of the festival, but as part of a shared story.
Seeing the La Donaira Lusitanos presence throughout the showgrounds gave me a quiet kind of pride. It wasn’t loud or showy; it was elegant, considered, and deeply aligned with everything we stand for in Spain. Our philosophy of sustainability, respect for the horse, and a way of working that values depth over noise felt beautifully at home here. In the VIP area, our video was playing on the screens, offering a glimpse into the life of our horses, the Andalusian landscape, and the rhythm of daily work at La Donaira. Watching people pause, listen, and take it in was unexpectedly moving.
Our banners, brochures, and brand materials became small points of connection; moments where conversations would begin naturally: about Lusitanos, about breeding, about land, about our values. These details might seem small, but they carry meaning. They create bridges.
Being part of the sponsored classes was especially meaningful. Standing in the arena not only as a rider, but as a representative of La Donaira Lusitanos, felt deeply humbling. We are proud to sponsor several classes this season that stand out not only for their level of sport, but for the harmony, elegance, and partnership on display.
Presenting prizes in the arena is always an emotional experience, but this week it felt particularly personal. To congratulate riders, to give them ribbons, to look them in the eye and share a moment of recognition; it reminds you why this sport matters. Each of those moments felt like a celebration not just of competition, but of dedication, patience, and years of invisible work.
There were so many small highlights that stayed with me: a young horse stepping into the arena with quiet confidence; a freestyle that made the crowd fall silent before erupting into applause; the way certain combinations seemed to breathe together as one. These are the moments that remind us that dressage is not just a sport; it is a language.
What stayed with me most, though, was the feeling of connection. Conversations that lingered long after the classes ended. Smiles that felt genuine. Encounters with riders, owners, breeders, and friends who were curious not only about the horses, but about our land, our philosophy, and our way of life.
I heard people speak about La Donaira Lusitanos not just as a breeding project, but as a place, a story, a vision and that means everything to all of us.
Wellington can be intense. It is ambitious, fast-moving, full of momentum. But within all of that, this first week held something softer: meaning, belonging, and gratitude. I left the showgrounds each day feeling both tired and deeply inspired, reminded of why we do what we do, and how important it is to carry our values with us wherever we go.
I am so grateful for this beginning, and I am very much looking forward to the rest of the season.
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