Portugal’s Manuel Grave is a farmer and he events as a hobby. He made his Mars Badminton Horse Trials debut 12 years ago on a home-bred horse, but didn’t complete, and is back this year for a second attempt.
“I am a farmer back in Portugal. We have bulls and some cereals and vineyards,” said Manuel, who lives in the southern region of Alentejo.
“We have four horses [competing] and a few more young ones. We try to get the work done as soon as possible and in the afternoon find some time to ride.”
His equine partner is Carat de Bremoy, the horse on whom he campaigned at the Olympic Games in Paris last year.
Manuel said he “was lucky” to find that the 13-year-old French-bred Selle Francais gelding was the one capable of getting him back to Badminton.
The horse was acquired in 2017 from family friend Duarte Seabra, who previously competed him in showjumping.
“As an amateur we don’t have much choice [of horses], but I was lucky because this horse came to our house and we started understanding that he was very brave,” said Manuel, who described the bay as a “family horse”.
“He’s maybe not the best horse in dressage, but a good jumper and very brave.”
Olympian father
Manuel’s father is retired event rider Carlos Grave, whose top-level career included the 2004 Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games and three European Championships.
Carlos also contested two Badmintons, in 2000 and 2005 — when it was a long format event with two phases of roads and tracks and a steeplechase to complete before tackling the cross-country course — and Manuel said he can remember being there to watch.
“Back then, it was different. But the cross-country I think it’s more or less similar — big things, honest but very big.”
Manuel’s brother, Joaquim, also competes.
Main image by Tim Wilkinson
