Technical Adviser

José Manuel Correia Lopes was born in 1957.  He began riding whilst very young.  His family, mainly his grandfather had a great passion for horses and bullfighting and he soon shared his passion with his grandson. He introduced José to some of the most important bullfight riders of that time. One of them was Joaquim José Correia, who became a friend of the family and José’s godfather.  Riding and bullfighting, soon assumed a very important role in his life.  In 1966, when he was only 9 years old, José had is debut as bullfighter, in the famous Campo Pequeno bullring, in Lisbon. From that time, until the age of 18, he practiced this activity as an amateur.  In 1975 at the age of 18, he graduated and he began performing as a professional bullfighter.
José Manuel had some important masters such as Varela Cid, Manuel Conde, Joaquim José Correia, and later Alfredo Conde who lived near José Manuel and could pass on all his knowledge and expertise. He was, for sure, José´s most important influence.
José Manuel’s last performance as bullfighter was in 1984 and from that time his life has been fully devoted to training horses.
During his youth he also spent some time in the old arena of “Póvoa de Sto. Adrião”  where he had the chance to learn with Master Nuno de Oliveira. Later  he was trained by Lieutenant Colonel Valadas who was one of the best riders he ever met.
From the very beginning, José Manuel has been involved in the development of Portuguese Traditional Equitation and Working Equitation competitions in Portugal. He also participates as a judge of both activities. Furthermore, he is in great demand, as much in Portugal as in other countries, as an international judge. José now works for the Lusitano Breed Stud-book committee of the Portuguese Association of Lusitano Horse Breeders (APSL), as an official breed judge .
In this area he has been working on the development of the Lusitano breed not only in Portugal but also in all countries where the Lusitano horse is to be found.
As a rider, José Manuel has participated in important competitions, not only with the purpose of showing his work but also in the promotion of the Lusitano horse worldwide.
The horses Correia Lopes has trained for bullfighting are countless.
Now, he trains his horses for bullfighting and many other disciplines, surrounded by the countryside at his peaceful farm, Monte das Mós, with his natural devotion and enthusiasm.