Ema Ferreira on the Podium of the National Dressage Competition.

The Cardiga Team participated with three pairs in the National Dressage Competition, which took place at Quinta da Beloura last weekend. This event marked the absolute debut of the young Hanoverian horse in the FEI 4-year-old tests, Simba-Secret, ridden by João Pedro Cardiga, the trainer who has been working with this up-and-coming horse since it was one year old.

In the FEI Juniors category, the pairs Manuel Maia with Melro da Sernadinha, and Ema Ferreira with Medronho do Zambujal competed. Ema Ferreira reached the podium in 3rd place and achieved two qualifications for the National Dressage Championship. "Manuel and Ema are an example. They have grown with these horses... which has required them to train persistence and resilience, and to learn how to deal with frustration in pursuing their goals and qualifying scores. Their moment is approaching... and everything they have learned will stay with them forever! They are among the youngest horses competing in the FEI Junior category, with 15-year-old riders. They are a source of pride and an example for this school," stated João Pedro Cardiga, the pair's trainer.