Notável do Penedo is an 8-year-old Lusitano gelding from the renowned Portuguese breeding farm Resina Antunes, from the prestigious Raposa BR line. He is a show and sport horse, regularly performing, among others, at the Wrocław Partynice Racecourse and during major events in Poland, including the Cavaliada Tour. At the same time, he remains in consistent Working Equitation training and is being prepared for starts at the highest level in this discipline.

Despite his strong willingness to work and high athletic quality, Notável had long been an exceptionally highly sensitive horse. He reacted strongly to stimuli, changes in environment and subtle rider signals. These reactions could be sudden and unpredictable. At times he would quickly fall out of rhythm, resist before performing a task, and even nip at people as if constantly looking for a confrontation. During the shows themselves he could work well in focus, but just before the start or right after the show there were moments when he would stop listening to the rider. A recent castration reduced some aspects of stallion-like behaviour, but the horse retained a clear, controlled temperament.

The team introduced Hempqualizer Compete with the goal of calming him, improving concentration, preventing uncontrolled reactions and eliminating the tendency to take on a “fight” with people. According to the owners, since the preparation was introduced, the nipping has been eliminated, the horse’s response to stress has noticeably improved, and there has been greater control over his energy during important events.

The product was also used during recovery after castration to reduce the risk of uncontrolled behaviour connected with accumulated energy. The owners describe that calmer walks after the procedure made safe movement easier and supported a comfortable return to the daily routine. During the latest performances within the Perlage Cavaliada Tour, Notável was calmer before and after the show, and during the performance his concentration increased without any dulling effect. He retained his agility, speed and characteristic temperament.

Story through the owner’s eyes:

Notável do Penedo

Age: 8 years | Sex: Gelding (recently) | Coat: Chestnut | Breeding: Resina Antunes, Portugal | Line: Raposa BR

WHY HE IS SPECIAL

Notável do Penedo is an 8-year-old Lusitano gelding from the renowned Portuguese breeding farm Resina Antunes, known for selecting horses with above-average character, show and sport predispositions, and the genotype of historical Lusitanos. He is exceptional due to his rare, deep chestnut coat and his origin from the prestigious Raposa BR line, which makes him not only visually striking but also a genetically valuable representative of his breed. His name – Notável, meaning “exceptional” – perfectly reflects the character of a horse who impresses both with his exotic beauty and athletic potential.

NOTÁVEL IN DAILY LIFE

Notável do Penedo is based at the Wrocław Partynice Racecourse, where many major equestrian and cultural events take place. His regular presence at shows in front of audiences often numbering several thousand during the most important race days, as well as in the setting of Wrocław’s tourist highlights such as the Centennial Hall, continues to inspire admiration. He also performs in the biggest show arenas in Poland, including the Cavaliada Tour. His presence, work under saddle and character make him an ambassador of the beauty and versatility of the Lusitano breed.

Of course, on a daily basis he remains in consistent Working Equitation training and is being prepared for starts at the highest level of this discipline – Masters.

WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON

Among Notável’s key traits in training – besides physical strength and an incredible willingness to work – the most important is certainly the fact that he is a very highly sensitive horse. His immediate reaction to the most subtle rider signals, changes in environment or a large number of stimuli can make these responses sudden and unpredictable.

Therefore, in everyday work and during performances he needs:

• harmony and calm – he feels best in an atmosphere of trust and confidence,
• consistent but gentle guidance – intense pressure can trigger stress or tension in him.

On the one hand, he is able to focus on work; on the other, there were times when he quickly fell out of rhythm and resisted before performing a task. Characteristically, Notável do Penedo would nip at people as if he constantly needed to provoke.

During the shows themselves he worked very well in focus; however, often after a show or just before it started, he could stop listening to the rider altogether. Although he was recently castrated, Notável retained a controlled temperament.

GOAL IN OUR WORK:

• calming,
• better concentration,
• preventing uncontrolled reactions,
• eliminating the tendency to engage in conflict with people.

EFFECTS AFTER USING HEMPQUALIZER COMPETE:

Since Hempqualizer Compete has been used, the nipping has been eliminated, the horse’s response to stressful situations has improved very visibly, and we have observed significantly greater control over elevated energy during important events.

Recently, we also used the preparation to calm the horse during recovery after castration, when accumulated energy could have led to uncontrolled behaviour and thus problems with healing of post-castration wounds. This was definitely a bullseye, because everything healed quickly, and calm walks after the procedure ensured Notável received the necessary – and importantly safe – movement.

In addition, during the latest performances as part of the Perlage Cavaliada Tour, after using the preparation, Notável was calmer before and after the show. During the show his concentration clearly increased, with no dulling effect. The horse responded excellently to the rider’s signals and retained his temperament, agility and speed typical of horses of this class. Working with such a horse in harmony and calm brings maximum satisfaction.

Notável’s example is undeniable proof that the preparation shows excellent calming properties while maintaining maximum concentration.

When can Hempqualizer Compete be helpful?

Based on the case of Notável do Penedo, Hempqualizer Compete may be particularly valuable for:

• very highly sensitive show and sport horses,
• horses that react suddenly or unpredictably under a large number of stimuli,
• horses that struggle to maintain rhythm and concentration when emotionally aroused,
• horse-and-rider pairs preparing for high-level shows and competitions where precision, calm and controlled energy matter,
• situations where the goal is calming without losing temperament, agility and motivation to work,
• recovery stages in which it is important to limit excessive reactions and ensure calm, safe movement.