Some people do not like the idea of bull fighting. I did not attend a live bull fight - I watched the training of horses for bull fighting and no they don't start with live bulls. For the record, in Portugal bull fighting is done by a horse and rider, not a Matador on the ground. The bull is not killed in the ring. He has 5 years of living in a pasture and then a single fight. Compared to rodeo bulls, he has a very good life. Compared to steers (hamburger in 18 months), he has a very nice life.
The really important thing about the bull fighting Lusitano is the breeding of brave, sensible athletes that have the ability to do ANYTHING other horses can do and excel at every job - jumping, Dressage, Carriage, ranch work or just as a companion horse. The Portuguese do a tremendous job of training their horses but so do other people in other disciplines. I have never seen so many stallions who are such gentleman! Actually, I never saw a badly behaved Lusitano stallion - not in a stall, not at a show - beautifully behaved stallions! It is bred into them and then developed with training.
Of all the Lusitano horses I saw, the most unusual horses were a 3year old and a 5 year old stallion at Ana Batista's ranch. Unusual because I have never seen horses of any breed the color of these two. Rose gold, Chestnut manes and tails and leaf green eyes! I have never seen a horse with green eyes, never saw a Palomino or Cremello body color with chestnut manes and tails. Remarkable. So I will start with pictures of these two young stallions!
Enjoy!