Equestrianism. Cardiga Team Reaches the Podium in Season Debut.

Cardiga Dressage Ponies, the team from the João Cardiga Equestrian Academy in Leceia, Oeiras, debuted in the 2024 sporting season last weekend in Vale de Ferreiros, which took place simultaneously with the 1st Leg of the Portuguese Dressage Cup.

Cardiga Team was represented by four pony riders, aged 8 to 12, competing in the Children's (Laura Morais and Matilde Sanches Cardiga with Trinco) and Novice (Mariana Mustra with Extreme and Caetana Linhares de Andrade with Gin) categories.

Out of the four pairs, 3 reached the podium. In the Children's category, Matilde Cardiga finished in 2nd place and Laura Morais in 3rd place. In the Novice category, Caetana and Gin secured 3rd position.

In the Portuguese Cup, João Pedro Cardiga competed and debuted Osado, a 6-year-old purebred Lusitano horse, who also reached the podium (3rd) with scores of 67% and 68.5%.

João Pedro Cardiga, the Academy's sports director, stated: “This year, Cardiga Dressage Ponies welcomes young debutants full of determination and commitment. This allows us to continue nurturing the dressage pyramid with small/great athletes who are the future of the sport”.

The 2nd Leg of the National Dressage Pony Trophy will take place on May 26th at the João Cardiga Equestrian Academy facilities in Barcarena, Oeiras.