JULIO BRAHIM

by Joao SerraCoelho, a Cavaleiro

As some of you might know, I'm from Portugal, and as a Portuguese, obviously I love our Portuguese Horse, The Lusitano. But since I met my love Terry, I fell in love not just for her, but also for her horses, the Arabians, that later turned me into a better rider. As we all know, The Arabian Horse is the Father of all the main breeds of horses in the world, including The Lusitano which is believed, to be the only breed of horse with an ancestral quality of attacking, or if you want, to charge to an enemy or something that puts him, his herd or Master in danger, with all his heart, and always facing the enemy...... What a lot of people seem to ignore, is that, this quality came from the great Warrior Horse of the Deserts, the outstanding "ARAB". I had the great opportunity to ride one of these marvelous horses, a horse to be considered, with no favours, a Legend, a work of art for painters and the best stallion for breeders, because of all the qualities that he can bring together, the Beauty, Nobleness, Love for Human Beings and of course, as a rider, I have to tell about his Power, Ability and all the Pleasure, that he shows while he works, besides that ancient quality that I wrote a few lines ago. That quality, for those less sensitive, might look like a bad one, but it's no more than a horse ready to die for his Master.

I met Julio Brahim the same day that I met my love. At the time, I was working with one of his proud sons, a beautiful bay colt, the dream of any Bullfighter on Horseback.

But returning to Julio Brahim.........
Last time I was at Los Acres, Terry gave me the opportunity, to ride Julio........one of the things that surprised me the most, was that he's a 12 year old stallion, with a lot of mares bred and just green broke, but with kindness and joy to work as a 3 year old colt. I shouldn't say this but, this is not possible with the majority of the Lusitano's in the same circumstance.

I rode Julio with an English saddle and a regular snaffle, the first day. I'll never forget all the Power, Energy, and Happiness that I felt underneath me, but in perfect control, leaning softly in that gentle snaffle. What an incredible extended trot, collected gallop and a lot more, just controlled with little leg and gentle hands.

He never tried to buck me off or take the bit, and disappear with me, even though, I rode him in the back ring that over views the pastures, where all the mares were by the fence, "in love", watching that unreal horse, floating around, with all his mane in the wind and carrying his tail so high, and so proud, like if the Flag of His Country, he was carrying to the Battle Field........A lot more I could say about this Emblem of the Arab Horse, but for now I'll just keep in my heart and in my memory, that day that I rode and felt like a King of the Deserts.......

Joao SerraCoelho