One of the largest equestrian fairs in the world, which attracts many breeders and horse lovers, the Golegã Horse Fair (Feira da Golegã).
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What is Golegã Horse Fair?
Golegã Horse Fair (Feira da Golegã) is one of the largest equestrian fairs in the world, also known as the National Horse Fair, International Lusitanian Horse Fair and São Martinho Fair, since 1571.
The event takes place in Golegã village, in Ribatejo, in the Center of Portugal. It´s about 62 miles (100 km) from Lisbon and 143 miles (230 km) from Porto.
As a result, the Golegã Horse Fair is a fair of great tradition in Portugal. During the fair you can watch horse competitions (dressage, jumping, handling, endurance, speed, galloping, trotting and others), rallies, raids, horseball and equestrian games. As well as exhibitions, music and other cultural initiatives. All this in the midst of a spectacular horse-themed environment, ideal for going, taking friends and having a great day, without having to know much about equestrian activities.
Indeed, this event attracts many horse lovers every year, as well as several breeders and stud farms who come here to show their horses (the best thoroughbreds horses) to potential customers from all over the world.
The Fair has its epicenter in the Largo do Arneiro Square (in the centre of Golegã), where there is a riding arena and where much of the events and competitions take place. However, other events also take place at the HIPPOS-Golegã / High Performance Equestrian Sports Center and at nearby locations or farms.
What will you find at Golegã Horse Fair?
At Golegã Horse Fair you can contact with various aspects of the rural world and the popular culture of Ribatejo, linked to agriculture and breeding (horses, bulls and cows).
During the fair, several Golegã streets are closed to traffic and embellished for the event. Thus, it allows visitors to walk on foot, to feel the relaxed atmosphere, to be able to see and buy regional handicrafts, Portuguese products and equestrian articles or clothing (harness, rattles, borel coats, hats, etc.), for sale in the local commerce and at the stands.
In the streets you will surely smell the roasted chestnuts, which are now for sale. Besides being able to taste the good regional gastronomy, with emphasis on the typical dishes and the snacks of the region sold in the restaurants and taverns.
Surprisingly you will find the men riders (cavaleiros) and the women riders (amazonas) circulating in the streets, riding their horses and dressed up in traditional riding costumes (Portuguese style). In addition, you may see some people strolling on buggies (charretes) or hitched (atrelados) by the streets, an activity that you can also do.
portuguese native horse breeds
Like other Portuguese native horse breeds such as Garrano and Sorraia, the Lusitanian breed is the most recognized internationally. The Golegã Horse Fair is a good place for the promotion of national breeds, namely the Lusitanian Horse. This way you will find several specimens of this breed, considered of great beauty and versatility, which allows you to participate in various equestrian sports.
Golegã Fair 2022 edition
The 2022 edition of the Golegã Fair has already been scheduled.
Date: 4 to 13 November 2022
Location: Golegã
More information: www.feiradagolega.com/en
Note: As there may be changes in the program, we indicate the official website.
What happen in 2022 at the Golegã Fair? (Program)
The 2022 edition of the Golegã Fair has a good deal of activities, directly and indirectly, undeniably linked to the equestrian world. Activities took place at Largo do Arneiro Square (in the village centre), Hippos Golegã – High Performance Equestrian Sports Center, Quinta da Labruja Farm and nearby. From the program we highlight:
Day 1 (FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 4th)
08:00 Special National Show Jumping Competition from 1.00m to 1.30m
14:00 Working Equitation Portuguese Cup – Dressage
15:30 National Horse Driving Championship – Dressage
21:00 Show Jumping competition – Teams (Nations Cup type)
DAY 2 (SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 5th)
08:00 Endurance Competition Departure – National Young Horse Championship – Endurance Competitions CEI* of 100 Kms, CEP of 80 Kms and CEP of 40 Kms
09:00 National Special Show Jumping Competition from 0.50m to 1.30m
09:00 Portugal Cup and TREC Iberian Cup – POR – Guidance
14:00 National Horse Driving Championship – Marathon Race
15:00 Portuguese Working Equitation Cup – Maneabilty
18:00 Lecture – Physical Training and mental coaching for athletes by Alan Lopes (Physical and emotional personal trainer)
19:00 Endurance Competitions Prize Giving
21:30 Show Jumping Contest 6 Bars – V Pedro Faria Trophy
DAY 3 (SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 6th)
09:00 National Special Show Jumping Competition – Crosses Trials – 0.50m to 1.35m
9:00 Portugal Cup and TREC European Cup – Iberian Cup – MA (Pace Measurement)
09:00 XXIII Open Golegã FNC
11:00 Portugal Cup and TREC European Cup – Iberian Cup – PTV (Varied Terrain Course)
11:00 National Horse Driving Championship – Cones
15:30 Portuguese Working Equitation Cup – Speed (Largo do Arneiro)
DAY 4 (Tuesday – NOVEMBER 8th)
10:00 Special Dressage Competition – National and International Levels
10:00 National Inter-School Championship – Dressage
15:00 Special Dressage Competition – National and International Levels
21:00 National Inter-School Championship – Voltige
DAY 5 (wedneSday – NOVEMBER 9th)
10:00 National Inter-School Championship – Show Jumping
10:00 Special Dressage Competition – National and International Levels
14:30 National Inter-School Championship – Crosse Country by Teams
15:00 Special National Dressage Competition – National and International Levels
15:00 Portuguese Equitation Competition – Level B and A
17:00 Demonstration of the Valença Equitation Method by Luis Valença Rodrigues and Sofia Valença Rodrigues
19:30 National Inter-School Championship – Prize Giving
21:00 Presentation of the EPAE Portuguese School of Equestrian Art
21:30 Marquês de Marialva Trophy – Special National Dressage Competition – Intermediate I Kur and Grand Prix Kur – Free Style
DAY 6 (Thursday – NOVEMBER 10th)
10:30 LVII National Competition for the Presentation of the Saddle Horse FNC and XXII National Competition for the Presentation of the Saddle Horse at the International Lusitano Horse Fair
10:30 3 year old foals, presented by hand
14:00 Official Ceremony of the Commemoration of the 50 Years of FNC – Guest Reception and Visit to the Fair
15:00 4 years Old Horses – Presented Under Saddle
17:00 Horses 5 years and older Stallions Presented Under Saddle – Prize Ceremony after each Class
19:00 Champion of Champions of the National Horse Fair – Homage to the President of Honor of the LXII National Saddle Horse Presentation Contest FNC and XXIII National Saddle Horse Presentation Competition at the International Horse Fair Lusitano – Dr. José Luis Núncio Fragoso
DAY 7 (Friday – NOVEMBER 11th)
09:00 Open Fair
11:00 Horse Driving Combined Marathon Competition Final
11:30 Departure of the Saint Martin’s Pilgrims
12:30 Arrival of Saint Martin’s Pilgrims
22:00 Equestrian show commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the National Horse Fair – Horse Show with the presence of the National Guard Charanga and Reprise presentation
DAY 8 (saturday – NOVEMBER 12th)
09:00 Final of the National Working Equitation Championship – Dressage
11:00 Final of the National Horse Driving Combined Marathon Competition
15:45 Horseball Cup Semi-Finals – Under 16 and Senior
19:00 Golegã 2022 Awards
20:00 Tribute to Gilberto Filipe and Zique das Lezirias (Individual and Teams Bi World Champion of Working Equitation) – Distinction of Equestrian Excellence
22:00 Horse Mounted Games – Skill and Expertise
DAY 9 (SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 13th)
09:30 Final of the Working Equitation National Championship – Maneabilty
15:00 Horseball Cup Finals
15:30 Working Equitation National Championship Final – Speed Test
19:00 Horse Archery Demonstration | Equestrian Archery presentation
How to get to Golegã
Where is Golegã
The Golegã village is about 62 miles (100 km) from Lisbon and 143 miles (230 km) from Porto.
To Golegã BY car:
From Lisbon: => A1 (North) => Exit 6 (Santarém) => N3 => after Póvoa de Santarém turn right to Vale de Figueira/Alcanhões => N365 => Golegã
The N365 road passes nearby Azinhaga village – where was born the portuguese writer José Saramago, awared Nobel Prize for Literature.
From Porto: => A1 (South) => Exit11 (Condeixa / Tomar) => A13-1 => A13 (Tomar) => IC3 => Golegã
One of the best ways to discover this part of Algarve is by car. In case you need to rent a car, search for a good deal at Discover Cars. This car rental platform will help you finding the right price, in a quick and simple manner. Click here to learn more.
What to do near Golegã Fair?
Golegã as known as the Capital of the Horse, is a village with many interesting points to know.
So you can take the opportunity to visit its typical streets, Carlos Relvas House-Studio, Martins Correia Municipal Museum, Typewriter Municipal Museum, Pelourinho Palace, HIPPOS-Golegã, Equuspolis, among others. Learn more at the Self-guided walking tour in Golegã: Portugal’s horse capital.
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| To learn more about other LikedPlaces, go to our Destinations in Portugal page. |
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