BENTO

Those attending a clinic with Bento Castelhanho, at El Bustan, Loxwood in Surrey, the home of Sherene Rahmatallah on 1st August, were greeted by torrential rain, thunder and lightning - not an auspicious start! However, eventually the rain slackened and we were able to enjoy watching Bento s skills in a variety of ways.
It was fascinating to watch him assist Annette with her attractive young stallion (Spanish Purebred/Lusitano cross) in the art of long reining It was a revelation to me when I first saw this demonstrated in the classical way at the Royal Horse Gala in 1996, where the Portuguese master and his stallion performed many high school movements using long reins - but it was a very different version of long reining as I knew it.	Bento demonstrating long reining.
Never before had I seen anyone using a technique that the rider s hands were in contact with the horse s quarters at times, the rider changing position frequently behind and slightly to the side of the horse, depending upon which rein it was working on... I had hitherto only seen the rather remote controlled version used to break in young horses I this country and certainly I had never seen an advanced, schooled horse in long reins... So it was a pleasure to see this skilfully demonstrated once more... To perform so well in such harmony there must be total mutual trust between man and horse, perhaps even more so than under saddle.
"There you have it...!" Bento encourages Sherene to extend through the corner.		Bento was then asked to assist with a lovely Lusitano mare who had been broken in relatively late in life and who did not seem to fully understand what was required of her. By the end of the session, her owner had a far happier horse to take home - it was quite amazing what was achieved in one comparatively short lesson as a result of Bento s knowledgeable assistance from the ground.
Bento schooled both Sherene and her daughter on their respective horses and completed the session by riding Serene s grey stallion Jardineiro. I was particularly interested in his work in extended trot where the horse was really encouraged to work up and forward into extension from behind - so often in this country, Lusitano (and Spanish Purebreds) seem to be considered unfairly, of not being able to perform good extensions - but here was proof to the contrary!		Bento demonstrating lightness and elevation on Jardineiro
If you would be interested in attending a clinic with Bento, there will be a further opportunity in December, some during the first or second week. Full details are not yet available but the clinic will take place at Gennets Farm, Loxwood in Surrey and will be announced in due course. In the meantime, do contact Sherene Rahmatallah for full details: c/o El Bustan, The Drive, Ifold, West Sussex RH14 0TD Tel: 01403 753445 Fax: 01403 753495