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 Vitor Silva
a native of Portugal, realized at a very young age that in order to achieve
function with lightness and harmony there needed to be complete understanding
between horse and rider. His studies, combined with his great passion for the
horse, helped him develop a remarkable ability and finesse in communicating
with his equine partners with the aim of becoming living art in motion.
Prompted by
the need for a riding school in the east, Vitor established Sons of the Wind, School of Equestrian Arts,
now located in Merrimac, MA. This full service training facility and
school provides every rider, from recreational to competitive, a venue in which
to expand their abilities in a progressive manner on equine schoolmasters,
trained by Vitor, many of which perform to the Grand Prix level.
Appearing
in the instructor spotlight (Feb 2006) of Dressage Today, riders can see that
Vitor's training and teaching is grounded in his philosophy that the best
teachers are the horses. Whether from in-hand work, under saddle or on
long-lines, Vitor teaches his students that while masters or trainers can share
their knowledge and explain the technical aspects of riding, each rider must
open themselves to feel the horse's movements, responses and needs. Ultimately,
Vitor strives to develop this intuitive feeling in his students so that harmony
between horse and rider can be achieved.
Sons of the
Wind Lusitano Farm comes to the Minnesota Horse Expo with a twofold intent:
educating the public about classical dressage as a means for producing a light
, supple and athletic horse, and showcasing the Lusitano horse. Audiences can expect to see spectacular and
rare Haute Ecole maneuvers and choreographis including the Quadrille and Pas de
Deux.
Learn and see more about Vitor and Sons of the Wind at
sonsofthewindfarm.com and www.facebook.com/Sonsofthewind.lusitanofarm
Vitor Silva and Sons of the Wind Lusitano Farm Coliseum Performances
Friday Coliseum 11:30am to Noon
Saturday Coliseum 11:30am to Noon
Sunday Coliseum 11:30am to Noon
Witness the spectacular perfection of the “High School of Classical Horsemanship” with the Pas de Trois, Work in Hand and on the
Long Rein and the Quadrille which is shown with 4-6 Lusitanos. The Levade, Courbette and Capriole are the highlights of the “Schools
above the Ground”. These movements were historically used during mounted battles hundreds of years ago as a defense against the
opponents. The performance finishes with the "Quadrille" performed to classical music. This consists of 4-6 riders working in formation
at the walk, trot and canter with half pass, lead changes, passage, and canter pirouettes.
Vitor Silva’s Demonstrations and Lectures at Expo
Friday DNR Building (lecture) 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse
Identifying the condition of your horse: what are the weakness, strengths, and balance of your horse.
Identifying when your horse should be asked to collect and be able to physically sustain "self carriage" and
"thoroughness".
Friday AgStar Arena 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Putting It All Together
Developing the strength of your performance horse through the Pendulum of Elasticity. Weekly dressage exercises,
groundwork and conditioning routines that ensure the health and potential of your dressage horse. Hear
recommendation of how to ride and train through specific exercises as well as common mistakes and evasive
behaviors of the horse.
Vitor Silva and Julie Bottum
Saturday DNR Building (lecture) 2:00pm to 3:00p
Equine AND Equestrian Fitness:
When to start and how to use the techniques of dressage to improve your equine athlete and minimize injury
due to lack or loss of condition. Discussion also includes fitness for riders that will improve the horse's function
as well as your sitting trots.
Saturday AgStar Arena 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Simple Exercises and Reinforcing the Basics
How simple exercises such as leg yield lead to pirouettes and changes. Reinforcing the basics to achieve
collection. Observing and solving commonmistakes and evasive behaviors that block collection progression.
Sunday AgStar Arena 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Strength Training
How early and why to introduce the piaffe/passage progression. When to use the tool of long lining and how this enhances
the piaffe potential of your horses. Also recognizing if your horse requires piaffe or passage training first.
 
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