Labour Day weekend 2005, I had the great privilege of acting as assistant to offical photographer Lynne Glazer at Casa Lusitana's Annual Festa Lusitana, a presentation and auction of Lusitano horses.

In this fairytale setting, I was transported to another time -- into the deep history of the Iberian horses, and, particularly, the Lusitanos of Portugal. I urge you to read this article by Susan Mills http://tinyurl.com/96ycq, as I personally cannot do justice to the story of these magnificent horses or Festa Lusitana!

Right: The gate to Casa Lusitana.

Lynne, my mentor for the past several years, had come from California for this event, and I was thrilled to meet her in person for the very first time!

Left: The stately home of Jorge Gabriel and his family, owners of Casa Lusitana.

The grounds were exquisite -- flowers, flowers everywhere!

These elegant stables are nonpareil.

On Sunday morning, Lynne very graciously invited me to participate in a private shoot with Susan Mills of Casa Lusitana. I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to photograph these magnificent horses!

Right: Susan leads her stallion, Quincas, from the lower stables.

Up in the dressage ring, Quincas has his forelock straightened while Lynne lines up for a perfect shot.

We caught snippets of the early morning sunlight filtering in through the trees.

Quincas is right at home in Casa Lusitana's world-class dressage ring!

We're treated to an impromptu pas de deux.