Can horses feel music the way we do? Mestre Luis Valença, a theatre artist at heart, has spent decades exploring this question, blending equestrian mastery with the poetry of performance. In his world, music, costumes, and choreography aren’t just show elements, they are a conversation with the horse. As Valença says: “Think and they do — that is the secret with horses.”
Text Therese Alhaug Photo Lena Saugen
Just a short drive from Lisbon, you enter the world of Maestro Luis Valença. A visionary where horses, theatre, and music converge. He is the creative force behind the renowned Appasionata show and one of only four trainers honored with the title Master of Equestrian Art. Valença has spent a lifetime shaping the Lusitano into a modern performance horse, bringing artistry, rhythm, and emotional connection to every training session.
A Sanctuary of Art and Horses
Valença’s home is a serene sanctuary, a place where time slows down. Walls lined with costumes, a private museum dedicated to equestrian history, and arenas adorned with mosaics, paintings, and gilded accents create an environment that blends art with horsemanship. A living theaterstage.
Classical Foundations
On a quiet morning, the stables welcome us with white and yellow walls, flowers, curious horses peering from their stalls, and classical music covering the air. Valença’s students are grooming and preparing horses for their training, while maintaining the rhythm of this artistic haven.
Valença’s stables, built in 1981, once stood alone in green fields. Today, modern developments surround them, yet inside, history and tradition continue uninterrupted. With a welcoming smile, Luis Valenca himself greets us “Welcome, my friends”.
Sultão – A Life-Changing Partner
He brings us to his private small ‘museum’ to tell the story about Sultão, the palomino Lusitano stallion who transformed Valença’s life. Sultão came to Valenca in 1971. Luckily a sponsor noticed the duo’s talent and it didn’t take long before Valenca & Sultão became famous for their special and artistic skills. This also was the beginning of establishing the world’s most famous horse show: Appasionata. Together they became symbols of harmony and artistic expression.
Sultão performed until 27 and lived to 31, leaving an indelible mark on Valença and his family. Valença recalls legendary riders like Nicole Uphoff, Isabell Werth, and Anky van Grunsven who shared Sultão’s back, noting Uphoff’s exceptional sensitivity.
Training with Integrity
Valença believes training is an art of patience, empathy, and connection. While he primarily works with Iberian breeds, he appreciates warmbloods for their elegance and responsiveness. On the increasing commercialization of modern riding however, he is worried:
“It’s not the rider, it’s the money that’s the enemy of the horse. When too much is at stake, people take shortcuts. We rush, think with our heads instead of our hearts, and that’s when things go wrong.”
For him, the essence of riding is emotional, not mechanical:
“You don’t ride with your assistants, you ride with your heart. If your heart is there, the training becomes simple… from here, to your body, to your thoughts.” he says while demonstrating with his hand.
“Think and they do — that is the secret with horses.”
Luis Valença moves his hands playfully as he conducts the music, asking if I truly hear it — and wondering if horses feel it the same way we do. “The horse is a wonderful teacher,” he says. “It lets you live in the moment, just like the music. You have to feel it in your heart.”
Music, Movement, and Connection
Music is central to Valença’s philosophy. He believes it allows horses and humans to communicate beyond words, creating a shared emotional experience. In his wardrobe of baroque costumes, he invites visitors to step into this world. He let me ride one of his stallions in a stunning golden costume to full orchestral music, wanting me to feel how rhythm, sensitivity, and mutual trust can create a living dance.
“The horse is a wonderful teacher — it lets you live in the moment, just like music. You have to know it in your heart,” he says. “By the way, you remind me of my granddaughter, he adds on impulse”. It struck me as a strange, fleeting moment as he too reminded me of my own grandfather ever since I arrived, a man who, like him, carried a deep love for classical music.
Appasionata
The Appasionata show has drawn hundreds of thousands of spectators across Europe. More than a horseshow, it is a theatrical spectacle where choreography, music, and equestrian artistry unite. World-class costume and set designers, along with lighting and sound experts, ensure each performance captivates audiences while honoring the horses’ dignity and artistry.
Mentorship and Legacy
Valença ends over meeting refelcting on his friendship with the late Portuguese Mestre Nuno do Oliveira, a humble trainer who “saw” potential where others didn’t. Oliveira inspired Valença to pursue a philosophy of connection and respect.
“Everything you see here is because of Nuno,” he says. “He never bought top-quality horses — he worked with those rejected by others. That’s what gave him real joy.”
Even as Valenca’s riding career has ended due to a hip operation, Valença continues to teach and choreograph from the ground, living fully in his theatre of horses, music, and heart.
“You don’t ride with your assistants, you ride with your heart.”
A Legacy Shared with the World
Today, the Valença family has taken their decades of knowledge and experience and shared it globally through the Valença Classical Training programs. Their method is a systematic approach to classical dressage, guiding horses from the very beginning of their education all the way to high school movements. A philosophy that emphasizes the horse’s well-being, athletic development, and the deep bond that comes from thoughtful, classical training. Through this work, the family has ensured that the passion and artistry of Mestre Luis Valença continue to inspire riders and horses around the world.
