OUR TEAM
António Borba Monteiro
António Borba Monteiro was born in Portugal on a family of riders, breeders of horses and bulls. In these surroundings, and by the hand of his grandfather and his uncle Master Guilherme Borba he discovers and learns the Portuguese traditions related to the Lusitano horse.
At the age of 9, António starts to learn and help his uncle at Santo André where has started a true passion for horses. Antonio has learned at first on the young mares to begin his equestrian journey. " More I was practicing, more I wanted to discover about horses."
The passion for horses does not prevent him from taking a degree in engineering, like his father. This knowledge helps him to interpret the dynamics and efforts of horses.
In 1981 he joins the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE), once again under the guidance of his uncle that takes him to the approval of his Master, the great Nuno de Oliveira. Master Nuno hired António Borba Monteiro to work with his horses while he leaves to Australia. Great honor and responsibility! The Master states: - “If you improve them, I’ll give them to you…”
For almost 40 years António Borba Monteiro was part of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art team, at first as a rider, afterward as Master. António practiced and taught all the “Airs above the ground” – both to horses and to riders – with a deep knowledge of the classical riding techniques interconnected with his formation about horse skills and a profound understanding of its nature.
At his home "Santo André Lusitanos" António is still applying the principles and advice of the classical masters with also a serious approach to the dressage as a sport. His passion for the horses has grown with his maturity and helped him to enhance and refine his own academic method.
Camille Di Benedetto
Camille was born in France and grew up surrounded by horses in Normandie, where she started riding at an early age. She studies History at the Sorbonne University and then, she decided to get back to the equestrian world. In 2013, at the age of twenty, she graduated as an equestrian teacher near Paris.
After that she had the great opportunity to meet Antonio at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art where she learned the principles of classical equitation. - “ it was such a great honor for me to get into the EPAE for a year. I will always remember the chance I had to ride with all of the talented riders and horses at Queluz.”
Enchanted by the beauty of Portugal and the Lusitano horse, she settled in Lisbon and continued her apprenticeship at the Casal de Santo André.
Always attracted by horse’s show, Camille moved to Germany in 2017 to perform in a show of Apassionata at the showpalast München.
These years of experience allow her to deepen his knowledge and progress in the field of Equestrian Art. Back to Lisbon since early 2019 she is currently teaching and supervising all activities at Santo André Lusitanos.
Assunção da Cunha
Antonio's wife, she is an excellent public relations person. She focuses on the smooth running of everyone’s stay, making sure to regulate every detail. Everyone feels comfortable, thanks to her enthusiasm!
Her warm welcome delights both newcomers and those returning for another stay, happy to see her again!
