Just 1 hour from Lisbon, Golegã, in the heart of the Ribatejo Province, is the Portuguese horse capital. With a long horse riding tradition, the village was on the Royal Road that used to connect Porto to Lisbon. Here, old inns would host the king's cavalry as well as merchants passing through. 

Home for many horse riding schools and horse breeders, the town is also home to the famous Festival, Feira Nacional do Cavalo, is held every year in November to celebrate its heritage.

For 10 days, the quiet and peaceful town gets busy  with people coming from all around to celebrate the horse riding traditions and São Martinho, himself a knight. 

Horses from all kinds, trainers, vendors and mounting competitors come to shows, horse riding games, auctions and races. Local buildings, bridges and old squares give place to an improvised track with a variety of obstacles for riders to overcome. They are challenged to jump, race, compete - but above all to have fun.

This year held from November2 and 11, entertainment is always part of the program. The most awaited part is the parade of the pure-breed Lusitano horse. Going back to the monarch, riders dress up, and they dress up the horses, to dance along with the animals, that are a pure Portuguese breed.