Vieira do Minho hosts National Garrano Horse Fair promoting Portuguese heritage

The National Garrano Horse Fair took place in Vieira do Minho on 18–19 July, bringing together about 80 Garrano horses from across northern Portugal. Organized by the Association EquiGarranos, the breed’s creators (ACERG) and the municipal council, the event featured a series of equestrian competitions such as the Garranos Raide, obstacle courses, charrettes and a showcase of the breed’s versatility.

The fair also included cultural performances, including a spectacle by rider Miguel da Fonseca in partnership with the Rancho Folclórico do Mosteiro and a concert by the Grupo Alma Serrana. Portuguese Agriculture and Fisheries Minister José Manuel Fernandes attended, praising the fair as a new chapter in the promotion of the Garrano breed and emphasizing its value as a natural, cultural and economic heritage of Portugal.

The three‑day program aimed to reinforce the identity of Vieira do Minho as the capital of the Garrano breed, attract visitors, and support local rural development through sport, tradition and tourism.