For international dressage rider Pedro Ferreira and his wife Abigail Brooks Smith, horses are not just a profession – they are the foundation of their life together. Through their business PDF Sport Horses, the couple focuses on training, breeding and advising clients around the world. Over the years, the Figueiras bloodlines have become an important part of their breeding strategy.
Pedro competes at international Grand Prix level and has spent his entire life in the equestrian sport.
“I started riding when I was fifteen and competed through many levels. I qualified for the European Championships for Young Riders and later moved fully into dressage. Normally I produce horses from the Saint‑Georges level up to Grand Prix.”
— Pedro Ferreira
Abigail manages the communication and commercial side of their business.
“I handle communications, sales and client outreach for PDF Sport Horses. Together we run a training, breeding and consulting operation.”
— Abigail Brooks Smith
The couple has been working together in the horse industry for about seven years, combining Pedro’s competition experience with Abigail’s strategic and business approach.
Discovering the Figueiras horses
Pedro’s connection with the Figueiras bloodlines originally came from a different discipline: driving.
“Because of Pedro’s history in driving and competition, he really saw the potential of the Figueiras horses. Their cool heads and agility stood out immediately.”
Through that background Pedro first encountered stallions such as Craque and other Figueiras horses. Since then they have used these stallions both in their own breeding program and when advising clients.
“We’ve had wonderful results with the Figueiras horses. This year we are again using Craque and also trying Niro for the first time. We’re excited to see the results.”
Balance: the key quality
For Pedro, one quality stands above all others when describing the Figueiras horses: balance.
“Balance is very important. In Lusitanos the canter is often the strongest gait. But when you have a horse with balance in the walk and the canter, that makes them very good for dressage.”
He remembers clearly the first time he saw the stallion Craque.
“When I saw Craque for the first time with António Maria, I immediately thought: this is a super horse for my mares. He has the old Veiga bloodlines and a strong canter, and that is exactly what I wanted to add.”
A recognizable type
According to Pedro and Abigail, the Figueiras horses have a recognizable physical type.
“Maybe you can recognize them by the neck and the croup. They are very strong and usable horses.”
Abigail also notices a distinctive structure in the horses they breed.
“They have a lot of substance. They have a strong body structure that allows them to sit well, move well and maintain great balance.”
Interestingly, their breeding program also produces larger Lusitanos than average.
“Our horses average around 1.70 meters. That’s not always typical for the breed, but the Figueiras lines have had a big impact on that.”
The mentality that makes the difference
While movement and conformation are important, Pedro believes the true strength of the Figueiras horses lies in their mentality.
“For me the best quality is the mindset. They can go to the red line in their work and then come back to the walk and relax. They keep positive energy while remaining rideable.”
Horses for professionals — and confident amateurs
At PDF Sport Horses, the clientele falls into two main groups.
“Our first type of client is the professional dressage rider looking for a reliable partner. But we also have many amateur riders who want a horse that makes them feel confident and proud to ride. One of the qualities they appreciate most about the Figueiras horses is their honesty. What you see is what you get!”
A breeding philosophy focused on sport
Pedro and Abigail believe the success of the Figueiras horses comes from a clear breeding philosophy.
“They breed sport‑minded horses. Sometimes people prioritize morphological beauty over sport ability. But the Figueiras program clearly focuses on horses that can perform.”
Consistency over trends
In modern breeding, the couple believes long‑term consistency matters more than following short‑term trends.
“For us it’s about breeding for excellence and breeding for the future.”
Looking to the future
Pedro is convinced the Figueiras horses will continue to play an important role in the future of the Lusitano in sport.
“I believe they have a great future. For example, I believe Oscar could become an Olympic dressage horse.”
And when asked why professionals should invest in a Figueiras horse, Abigail’s answer is simple:
“The results speak for themselves.”
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