Nan Sexton’s Batistuta V.O. Wins Interagro Lusitano High Score Award At Gold Coast Fall Fling

Carmen Franco and the Lusitano stallion Batistuta V.O., owned by Nan Sexton, won the High Point Lusitano Award at the Gold Coast Fall Fling. Sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest exporter of Lusitano horses in the world, the award recognizes the outstanding achievements of the Lusitano breed in the competitive world.

Wellington, FL - Batistuta V.O., a beautiful buckskin Lusitano stallion owned by Nan Sexton of Southgate Farm and ridden by trainer Carmen Franco, showed he had all the right moves when he rode away with the High Score Lusitano Award during the Gold Coast Fall Fling. Sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world, the High Score Lusitano Award recognizes the highest scoring Lusitano during a dressage competition and highlights the dynamic and competitive Lusitano breed. Franco was very pleased with Batistuta’s performance, especially since it was his first time to show. “He is turning six years old and he is a great stallion,” Franco said.

"He was wonderful considering it was his first show. He is sensitive and has brilliance in his movements. He is going to be a great competitive horse. I am very excited about his future."

Sexton imported the handsome stallion from Brazil and Franco said Batistuta turned in a great first performance to win the Lusitano High Score. The stallion earned a 66.622% in the First Level Test 2.

Cecilia Gonzaga, the Managing Director of Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, congratulated Batistuta on winning the Lusitano High Score Award. “We are always excited to recognize the outstanding achievements of a Lusitano and Batistuta is a wonderful example of this talented and versatile breed,” Gonzaga said, adding that Lusitanos excel in the show ring. “We are thrilled to sponsor the Lusitano High Score Award and I know throughout the season we will see both amateurs and professionals scoring high on Lusitanos. One of the breeds most endearing attributes is their rideability and trainability, making them perfect for all levels of riders.”

Interagro Lusitanos was founded in 1975 with the goal of preserving the Lusitano breed. Located on a 1200-acre ranch outside of São Paulo in Brazil, the farm is home to 700 Lusitano horses. “We have imported many Lusitanos into the United States and as competition and performance horses they are hard to beat,” Gonzaga said. “Interagro’s intent throughout our history has been to develop a bloodline of Lusitanos that are competitive in contemporary equestrian pursuits, including FEI level dressage.”

For riders who aren’t familiar with the Lusitano breed, Interagro invites them to visit their world-class farm in Brazil. “Once you have been to our farm and experienced the Lusitano, you will be forever changed,” Gonzaga said. “When you visit our farm, you become part of our family and will experience Interagro in a unique way. You will get a chance to ride and drive the horses, learn the history of our farm, experience the Brazilian culture and food and appreciate the warmth and dedication that our family has for our horses, home and country,” she said.

To learn more about Interagro Lusitanos, or a buying trip to the Brazilian farm, visit their website at www.lusitano-interagro.com.

About Interagro Lusitanos

Founded in 1975 by Dr. Paulo Gavião Gonzaga to preserve the Lusitano breed, Interagro Lusitanos is now recognized as the world’s largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses. Dr. Gonzaga started with a small band of four mares and one stallion imported to Brazil from the breed’s native Portugal; to date nearly 700 horses populate the 1200-acre ranch outside São Paulo. Today, Cecilia Gonzaga manages the farm and operations. Interagro Lusitanos are handled, prepared, and evaluated from birth, with a handful of the best stock presented at auction each year.