Paulo Caetano – The Breeding Vision Behind Figueiras

Paulo Caetano has spent more than four decades dedicated to horses. As a classical trainer, rider and former Portuguese bullfighter, his life has always revolved around equitation and the development of the Lusitano horse.

For many years he has followed the evolution of the Figueiras breeding program and today he is directly involved in training and developing the horses together with his daughter, dressage rider Maria Caetano. His connection with the stud began through a long friendship with breeder António Simões.

“Antonio and I have been friends for many years. When he asked if I could help train his horses and support the development of the program, I was very happy to do so.”

— Paulo Caetano

Paulo first noticed the quality of the Figueiras horses many years ago when horses such as Battuta and Dragão began to stand out.

“Even in those early days they already had something special. They had very good morphology, strong bodies and expressive movement, which was rare at that time.”

A recognizable style
According to Paulo, one of the most important achievements of the breeding program is the consistency of the type.

“A great breeder creates a recognizable style. With the Figueiras horses you can see that style. The horses have a traditional Lusitano morphology but with modern movement suited for sport.”

He believes that this consistency makes the horses easier to train.

“When you work with several horses from the same breeder you begin to understand them more quickly. You recognize the qualities and you know how they react to training.”

The balance of temperament
For Paulo, the mentality of the horses is one of their strongest assets.

“They are sensitive and energetic, but they can also relax very quickly. That balance between energy and calmness is extremely important for dressage.”

He also emphasizes their intelligence and willingness to learn.

“They learn very easily and they really try to understand what the rider asks of them. Training them is both productive and enjoyable.”

Evolution and improvement
Over the years Paulo has also seen the breeding program evolve and improve.

“If we compare the horses today with those from fifteen years ago, they are even more correct and more connected. They still have the expressive movement, but now they also have better balance and contact.”

Ultimately, Paulo believes the greatest value of the Figueiras horses lies in their potential.

“These horses make us dream. When you ride them you feel that they can go further, collect more and reach the highest level of sport.”