We’re going to be conveniently situated at Largo Marquês de Pombal, as indicated by the map. You’ll quickly be able to find us by locating Golegã Equustur and entering the gate to the left of it.
Keep scrolling for general info about the event.
Come visit us at our 26th appearence in the International Lusitano Horse Fair, we’re sure you’re not going to regret paying us a visit!
We’ll have our splendid new Foals and Fillies on display!
On this webpage, you’ll find everything you need to fully enjoy the Golegã Horse Fair. Whether you're looking for:
It's all conveniently available. There's also additional information on local restaurants and useful contacts to help you plan your visit to Golegã. You’ll be fully prepared to experience one of the most iconic equestrian events, from start to finish!
Click on any of the underlined sections if you’re looking for a specific subject or simply scroll down.
The Golegã Horse Fair, also known as the Feira Nacional do Cavalo or the Feira de São Martinho, is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Held annually in November in the small town of Golegã, Portugal, this 10-day fair celebrates the Lusitano horse, Portugal’s most famous horse breed. The fair coincides with Saint Martin's Day on November 11th, which traditionally includes cultural festivities such as roasting chestnuts and drinking new wine in a feast known as Magusto.
The event has evolved from a local agricultural fair to an internationally renowned equestrian gathering. It features a wide range of activities, including dressage, show jumping, carriage driving, and working equitation. Both professional riders and enthusiasts showcase the Lusitano horse's amazing versatility, beauty, and skill. Traditional Portuguese costumes, riding styles, and equipment are prominently displayed throughout the event.
Visitors can expect a lively mix of tradition and modern equestrian sport. The town square is transformed into a bustling hub where people ride their horses or carriages around a circular track, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Golegã itself, a small town of around 5,400 inhabitants (2021), swells with attendees during the fair, with over 150,000 to 200,000 people attending in recent years.
Below is a graph showcasing the estimated attendance numbers for the Golegã Horse Fair from the year 2000 to 2023. The data highlights the event's steady growth over the past two decades, reflecting its increasing international recognition and cultural significance within the equestrian world.
The fair offers a chance for visitors to immerse themselves in Portuguese equestrian heritage, and it attracts breeders, trainers, and horse lovers from around the world.
Sources: Lusitano Horse Finder, Visit Portugal, Equestrian EscapeThe full schedule for the 2024 edition of the International Lusitano Horse Fair has been released by the officials and can be located here.
The full schedule can also be found bellow:
November 1st (Friday)
08:00 Special National Show Jumping Competition – Events from 1.00m to 1.30m (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
09:00 XXVI Open Golegã FNC – Tennis Open (Golegã Tennis Court)
12:00 inauguration of the Manuel Tavares Veiga square – FNC Expansion Project (Manuel Tavares Veiga Square)
14:00 Portugal Cup of Working Equitation – Dressage Event (Main Central Arena)
15:30 National Horse Driving Championship – Dressage Event (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
21:00 Presentation of the Equine Management Technician Course of the Golegã School Group (Main Central Arena)
21:30 Opening Equestrian Show
November 2nd (Saturday) – Caravela Insurance company Day
07:00 Departure of the Endurance Competitions: Portugal Cup; CEI* 100 Kms, CEP 80 Kms and CEP 40 Kms (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
08:00 Special National Show Jumping Competition – Events from 0.50m to 1.30m (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
09:00 Portuguese Working Equitation Cup – Maneuverability Event (Main Central Arena)
09:00 Portuguese Cup and Iberian TREC Cup – Guidance – Start (Quinta da Labruja)
09:00 XXVI Tennis Open Golegã FNC (Golegã Tennis Court)
15:00 National Horse Driving Championship – Marathon Event (Quinta da Labruja)
15:00 National Horse Driving Championship (Main Central Arena)
19:30 Endurance Competitions Award Ceremony (Main Central Arena)
21:30 Show Jumping Competition 6 Bars (Main Central Arena)
November 3rd (Sunday) – Campino Day
08:00 Special National Show Jumping Competition – Events from 0.50m to 1.35m (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
09:00 Portugal Cup and Iberian TREC Cup – MA Pace Measurement – PTV Varied Terrain Course (Quinta da Labruja)
10:00 National Horse Driving Championship – Maneuverability Event (Main Central Arena)
11:00 Portugal Cup and Iberian TREC Cup – Iberian Cup – PTV Cross-Country (Quinta da Labruja)
14:00 XXVI Tennis Open Golegã FNC – Women’s Final (Golegã Tennis Court)
15:00 Campinos Competition – Agricultural Estates – Individual Skill and Precision Test (Main Central Arena)
16:00 Cow Driving Demonstration (Main Central Arena)
16:00 XXVI Tennis Open Golegã FNC – Men’s Final (Golegã Tennis Court)
18:00 Award Ceremony – Campino Homage to Fernando Manuel Guerreiro Ganhão (Main Central Arena)
November 5th (Tuesday)
09:00 Special Dressage Competition – National and International Levels – Regional Dressage Champions Trophy (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
November 6th (Wednesday) – EQUIAPARA Day
09:00 Special Dressage Competition – National and International Levels – Regional Dressage Champions Trophy (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
15:00 Portuguese Equitation Event – Levels B and A (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
17:00 Period Horse Driving – Conde de Fontalva Award (Main Central Arena)
21:30 Marquês de Marialva Trophy – Special Dressage Competition – Intermediate I Kur and Grand Prix Kur Events (Main Central Arena)
November 7th (Thursday) – Agromais Day
LXIV National Saddle Horse Presentation Competition (FNC) and XXV International Lusitano Horse Fair Presentation Competition (Awards given at the end of each class)
10:00 3-year-old Colts, presented by hand (Main Central Arena)
14:30 4-year-old Horses, presented under saddle (Main Central Arena)
16:30 5-year-old Horses or older, presented under saddle (Main Central Arena)
19:00 Champion of Champions of the National Horse Fair – Tribute to the Honorary President of the LXIV National Saddle Horse Presentation Competition FNC and XXV International Lusitano Horse Fair Presentation Competition – Manuel Tavares de Almeida (Main Central Arena)
22:00 Equestrian Gala (Main Central Arena)
November 8th (Friday)
09:00 V Seniors Tennis Open FNC (Golegã Tennis Court)
12:00 Ceremony and Official Visit – FNC 2024 (Main Central Arena)
15:00 Final of the National Combined Marathon Championship – 1st Round (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
15:00 Dressage Arena – Reserved for Professional Dressage Riders, with prior registration (Main Central Arena)
16:30 Vila Galé Tejo Collection Presentation (Quinta da Cardiga)
19:00 Tauromachy Arena – Carlos Relvas Career Award (Reserved for alternative bullfighting riders) Carlos Relvas Award – Bullfighting Career Distinction – Tribute | Supported by the National Association of Bullfighters and ProToiro – Remembering Manuel Jorge (Main Central Arena)
22:00 Equestrian Show featuring the Charanga and the Reprise of the National Republican Guard and Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Main Central Arena)
November 9th (Saturday) – Paladin Day
09:00 V Seniors Tennis Open FNC (Golegã Tennis Court)
09:00 Final of the National Working Equitation Championship – Dressage Event (Hippos Golegã – High Performance Center)
11:00 Final of the National Combined Marathon Championship – 2nd Round (Main Central Arena)
19:00 Golegã 2024 Awards – Distinction for Equestrian Excellence (Main Central Arena)
22:00 Cavalhadas – Skill and Precision Test (Main Central Arena)
November 10th (Sunday) – SG Burel
09:00 V Seniors Tennis Open FNC – Men’s Final (Golegã Tennis Court)
09:00 Final of the National Working Equitation Championship – Maneuverability Event (Main Central Arena)
14:30 Final of the National Working Equitation Championship – Speed Event (Main Central Arena)
18:00 Open Arena on the eve of Saint Martin’s (Main Central Arena)
November 11th (Monday) – Saint Martin’s Day
11:30 Departure of the Saint Martin’s Pilgrims Procession (Fernão Lourenço Gate)
12:00 Blessing of the Saint Martin’s Pilgrims (Main Church)
12:30 Arrival of the Saint Martin’s Pilgrims Procession (Main Central Arena)
13:00 Side Sadle Ryders Parade on the Saint Martin’s Day Day (Main Central Arena)
15:00 Cavalhadas of Parents and Children – Skill and Precision Test (Main Central Arena)
SourceWondering how to get to the venue? It’s pretty simple, the venue is located 130 km from the capital Lisbon, so you have a couple of options:
By Train: (Operated by CP - Comboios de Portugal)
01h 30m – Lisboa – Oriente > Riachos-Torres Novas-Golegã – Regional
01h 00m – Lisboa – Oriente > Entroncamento – Intercidades
Note: None of these will get you directly to Golegã, although they leave you pretty close, with only 5 km to go. You can then take a bus/taxi/uber from where the train stops to Golegã.
By Bus: (Operated by Rede Expressos)
1h 15m - Lisboa (Sete Rios) > Torres Novas
Note: This method of transportation will not get you directly to Golegã, although it will leave you pretty close, with only 14 km to go. You can then take a regional bus/taxi/uber from where the bus stops to Golegã.
By Car: If you have a car available, you can always drive to Golegã, if you need, you can click here for directions, or just click the map above.
From Lisbon: 130 km - 1h 26m
From Porto: 220 km - 2h 11m
From Faro: 330 km - 3h 19m
Note: If you are planning on taking a car we would suggest you take a look at the list of parking lots scattered throughout the village.
There are a multitude of places where you may wish to stay, ranging from camping sites, to hotels, to short-term rentals, there is plenty to choose from. Below is a map of some of the locations you can rent:
Powered by Booking.comMoreover, the official website for the International Lusitano Horse Fair also links to some other places you might find interesting. Check those out as well by clicking here!
Lastly, we would like to provide you with some useful links you might want to access before or during the fair:
*Estimated