The Alter Real Auction takes place on 24 April 2026 at the Coudelaria de Alter — the world's oldest stud farm still operating in its original location, tucked into the Alentejo village of Alter do Chão. Twenty-six horses go under the hammer at 3:00pm. The bidding is serious. The bloodlines are extraordinary. The atmosphere is unlike anything else on the Lusitano calendar.
But you are already in Portugal. The auction is one afternoon. The country holds considerably more than that.
Whether you are staying for a few days before the sale or extending the trip into a full equestrian week, here are six experiences worth building around your visit.
Portugal is one of the finest places in the world to ride. The Lusitano — the breed at the heart of the Alter Real Auction — is also the breed that underpins Portugal's entire classical dressage tradition. Riding one here, with a trainer who has spent their life working with the breed, is a different experience to riding anywhere else.
The trainers available through Cavago include Gilberto Filipe — World Champion in Working Equitation — Nicole Silva, European Champion and elite technical coach, and Morgado Lusitano, one of Lisbon's most established classical dressage schools.
Read the Complete Guide to Dressage Training in Portugal →
Working Equitation is Portugal's discipline — a sport that combines classical dressage with the practical horsemanship of the Iberian cattle farm.
Portugal is home to some of the best Working Equitation trainers in the world. Cavago provides access to Gilberto Filipe, Pedro Torres, Nicole Silva, Marco António, Afonso Resina, Tiago Alves and Mafalda Galiza — a list that covers every style and level, from those entering the discipline for the first time to those preparing for competition.
Find the Best Working Equitation Trainers in Portugal →
An hour and a half south of Lisbon, on the Alentejo coast, there is a beach ride that has become one of the most talked-about equestrian experiences in Portugal.
Cavalos na Areia — horses in the sand — operates from Comporta, guiding riders through cork oak forests, rice paddies and sand dunes to the Atlantic coastline at Praia da Torre. The private beach ride lasts 90 minutes and is available as an exclusive experience for your group.
A morning at the auction, a beach ride the following day — it is the kind of contrast that makes a trip feel whole.
Book the Private Beach Ride with Cavalos na Areia →
Scott Trees is one of the most celebrated equine photographers in the world, known internationally for his Arabian horse photography and now running exclusive Lusitano photo tours through Portugal in partnership with Cavago.
This is not a standard photoshoot. It is a private, curated session — arranged for a small number of participants — that places you and a Lusitano in settings that most visitors never access.
You have come to Portugal for the Alter Real. You are surrounded by extraordinary horses, extraordinary settings and extraordinary light. A session with Scott turns that into images you will have permanently. It is one of the more considered things you can do with an afternoon in Portugal.
Contact Cavago to Enquire About a Private Session with Scott Trees →
Lisbon is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes from Alter do Chão by car — close enough for a comfortable day trip that takes you from the silence of the Alentejo to one of Europe's most rewarding capital cities.
For horse lovers, the city holds a specific draw beyond its famous trams, tiles and pastéis de nata. The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art is here — and it connects directly to everything you have come to Portugal for (see below). Beyond the equestrian, Lisbon rewards slow exploration: the hilltop neighbourhood of Alfama, the riverside neighbourhood of Belém, the view from the Miradouro da Graça at dusk, the seafood at a table with no reservation and no rush.
The Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre — based in the gardens of the National Palace of Queluz — is the institution dedicated to preserving and performing Portugal's classical equestrian tradition. It is the direct descendant of the 18th-century Royal Picaria of the Portuguese court, and the horses it trains are Alter Real Lusitanos — the same bloodline you have just watched sell at auction in Alter do Chão.
The school stages regular morning training sessions open to visitors, where riders in period costumes perform classical dressage alongside Lusitanos in full work. Admission to the training starts from €8. The full visit includes access to the stables from 11:00am to 1:00pm, with an optional English stable guide for €5.
Book Your Visit to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art →
The best equestrian holidays in Portugal are not found by accident. They are built with intention.
Holidays with Cavago curates bespoke riding holidays across Portugal — connecting the finest equestrian experiences in the country into a single, considered journey tailored to your riding level, your pace and what you want from the trip. Every destination is hand-selected. Every detail is arranged. Nothing is left to coincidence.
If the Alter Real Auction is already in your calendar, there is a Portugal week worth building around it.
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When is the Alter Real Auction 2026? The Annual Alter Real Auction takes place on 24 April 2026 at 3:00pm at the Coudelaria de Alter, Alter do Chão, Portugal. It is available to attend in person or follow via online livestream.
How do I register to bid? Registration is required by 12:00pm on auction day via email at geral@alterreal.pt. There is a €25 registration fee, which is deducted from your purchase if successful or refunded if you do not buy.
How far is Alter do Chão from Lisbon? Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes by car, heading northeast via the A6 motorway.
Do I need to be an experienced rider to take dressage or Working Equitation lessons? No. Both disciplines are available for all levels through Cavago, from complete beginners to advanced riders. Many centres use schoolmaster Lusitanos specifically suited to riders building their seat and feel.
Is the beach ride at Comporta suitable for beginners? Yes. The private beach ride with Cavalos na Areia is available for beginners, novice and intermediate riders. It is a guided 90-minute experience at a pace suited to your group.
How do I book the private photoshoot with Scott Trees? The Scott Trees sessions are exclusive and limited in availability. Contact Cavago directly via WhatsApp to enquire about dates, pricing and what is included.
Can I combine the PSEA visit with a day in Lisbon? Yes — and this is the recommended approach. The school is located in Queluz, just outside Lisbon, making it an easy morning visit before spending the afternoon in the city.
What breed does the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art use? Alter Real Lusitanos — the same bloodline featured in the Alter Real Auction. Visiting both within the same trip gives you the full picture of the breed from genetics to performance.