Riding School
We learned the Art of Classical Dressage from over two decades of training with Maestro Nuno Oliveira, both at his beloved Quinta do Brejo in Avessada, Portugal as well as in dressage clinics held at the Andalusians de la Parra facilities. We also have trained with his son, and heir to his classical riding legacy, Joao Oliveira.
The Parra family with Maestro at the Andalusians De La Parra facilities during one of our yearly Clinics.
We were so lucky to have spent so much time with the Oliveira’s. We became close friends with these wonderfully talented men and got to see the different sides of them. They both had huge hearts and gave freely of their extraordinary talent.
Joao Oliveira
Maestro Oliveira did not realize how young Maritza and Rafael were when we contacted him. Upon our arrival in Portugal, at first he refused to teach us, stating that we were simply too young. We begged and after a few tears from Maritza, he agreed to teach us as long as we took at least two riding classes a day, with no complaints, for the entire summer. We took classes two to three times a day, ending up most night in Epsom salts in our small hotel’s tub! So began an extraordinary relationship between our family, Maestro Nuno and his son, Joao Oliveira.
Maritza and Rafael Alberto at Maestro’s school
We did learn so much about horses, horsemanship and so much more. After daily lessons, all the students would converge right outside Maestro’s office in a simple outdoor sitting area. There was usually opera music playing too. Maestro shared his love of opera with us and usually sent us home with a tape or two of his favorite arias. After a full day of riding and training, the gathering of international riders in the Maestro’s office would await us, the perfect ending to the perfect day.
Maritza and Rafael Alberto begin classes with Maestro
Sometimes, if we were lucky, we’d get to go inside his office which was full of memorabilia, photos, plaques, mementos from the press, writings from his alumni and awards given to Maestro. These mementos managed to cover the walls entirely, some even reaching the floor. That small building was a haven and a refuge for the horse lover. It was customary for the Maestro to play operas from records daily. And how could I ever forget the Maestro’s words to my brother and to me, “often, horses do not give the best of themselves because they feel that the rider is not seeking a pleasurable sensation, but is simply using aids and following the rules.”
Rafael and Maritza riding after school.
The times spent talking and laughing with these amazing men and their other students was remarkable. We learned so much about the history of horsemanship and about humanity in general.
We spent time with them both for many summer and Christmas vacations after that. And both Maestro and Joao would come to our place twice a year and give private clinics for us and a select few guests. Those times were wonderful. All day with the horses as well as meal times, when we would invite the other riders so everyone could enjoy the great conversation around the dinner table.
Our last visit to Avessada to ride with Maestro
Taking a class in Maestro's outdoor ring.
Luz and Maestro - Christmas 1987
Maestro and Charles Osborne at Andalusians De La Parra
