Choosing a dressage trainer in Portugal already puts you in the heart of one of the most respected equestrian cultures in the world. But choosing between two World Champions — Nicole Silva and Gilberto Filipe — is a whole different (and exciting) decision.
They are both celebrated.
They are both technically brilliant.
They are both deeply Portuguese in their training identity.
But the experience you’ll have with each of them is completely different.
This guide breaks down everything that matters — teaching style, personality, lesson feeling, horses, rhythm, and the type of rider each trainer is perfect for.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which champion aligns with your riding goals.
Nicole represents the “next generation” of Portugal’s dressage scene — technical, modern, extremely detail-oriented, and deeply intuitive. If you want a trainer who will catch every asymmetry, every delayed aid, every line that’s a millimetre off … she’s the one.
Gilberto is the mentor you didn’t know you needed — relaxed, funny, easygoing, and somehow able to pull the best out of you without making you overthink. He turns dressage into something life-giving, dynamic, and incredibly confidence-building.
Technical | Clean | Highly Structured
She sees everything.
Your hand angle.
Your timing.
Your straightness.
She gives micro-adjustments that instantly fix your biomechanics.
If you want to sharpen accuracy, correctness, and classical lines — she is perfect.
Fluid | Feel-first | Rhythm & Confidence
His dressage is rooted in Working Equitation, which means:
If you learn best through movement, patterns, and flow, he’s unmatched.
Precision | Calm | Quiet | focused coaching.
Everything is intentional.
She is gentle but firm in the best way — ensuring you understand what correct work feels like so you can recreate it on your own.
Great for riders who like:
Fun | Energetic | Confidence boosting | Encouraging
He has a gift for making even serious dressage feel enjoyable and lightweight.
You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll leave feeling ten times braver.
Great for riders who like:
She believes mastery of detail is what unlocks harmony, straightness, and correct feel.
Her philosophy is intentionally progressive — one clear correction at a time.
Nothing overwhelming, nothing rushed.
He builds trust first — with the horse, with the movement, and with yourself.
When you’re relaxed, his techniques start clicking naturally.
Precision becomes a by-product of feeling safe and guided.
Both philosophies lead to beautiful riding — just in different ways.
The difference?
Nicole’s horses refine you.
Gilberto’s horses empower you.
Calm | Gentle | Patient | Technical | Supportive |
Great for riders who get overwhelmed easily or like quieter lessons
Happy | Energetic | Relaxed | Encouraging | Charismatic
Great for riders who need motivation, fun, and a confidence boost
Both are kind. Both are easy to be around.
You simply choose the energy you want to train with.
4 private dressage lessons
Beach ride in Comporta
Tuk-tuk tour of Lisbon
Visit to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art
Perfect for riders wanting technical growth + culture.
Private dressage + WE lessons
Obstacle training (bridge, slalom, garrocha corridor, gate)
Option to ride his top competition horses
Perfect for riders wanting dynamic, motivating training.
Here’s the truth:
You can’t go wrong — but you can go RIGHT based on who you are as a rider.
🌟 Train with Nicole Silva
🌟 Train with Gilberto Filipe