Rita Ralão Duarte is a thirty-two year old Portuguese international Grand Prix dressage rider based in Lisbon, Portugal at Coudelaria Quinta dos Cedros where she works together with her father, Miguel Ralão Duarte. Since the age of two years old, ballet was a central part of Rita’s life, shaping discipline and dedication until she was eighteen. Alongside this stage, another passion quietly grew—riding horses.
Her father Miguel, a professional dressage rider and Portugese Olympian himself, introduced Rita to the equestrian world, and during weekends and vacations she would “trade my ballet shoes for riding boots whenever I could.”
How did horses come into your life and transpire to dressage?
Rita at home with Irão. image and main feature image courtesy of Rita Vitorino
Horses came into my life since I was born. My father is a professional dressage rider, and horses have been in our family for generations. My great grandfather used to have a riding school in Lisbon, where a lot of Portuguese riders started their careers.
I started riding since a very young age, I used to spend a lot of time with my father at the stables when I was younger. Whenever possible, I joined him at competitions, soaking in the atmosphere and learning from the sidelines. After college, I realised my heart belonged in the saddle, and I decided to give working with horses a real chance. Today, that dream is my reality. I spend my days surrounded by these incredible animals, living the life I once only imagined.
Why dressage?
I have always practiced dressage, and it led me to where I am now. It’s marvellous because it showcases the almost invisible communication between horse and rider, blending athleticism, elegance, and trust into a performance that looks effortless. At its best, dressage becomes pure art, a powerful display of discipline, beauty, and connection.
Who do you train with?
Rita at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 Image Credit-Lukasz-Kowalski
I train daily with my father, and it’s a privilege to be able to work and practice every day under his guidance. Also, Richard White and Kyra Kyrklund have been coaching me for nearly 10 years now and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the world.
Who inspires you?
My dad inspires me, he has accomplished a lot in his career, with half the resources we have nowadays. He’s passionate about his work and his horses and always seeks to find out the best qualities in each and every one of them.
Proudest achievement?
Rita and RICO becoming the Young Riders Champion at the Portuguese Championship 2014
Definitely the year of 2024, where I took a step forward and started competing at big shows across Europe achieving good scores and podiums. It culminated in being selected to represent my country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
What challenges have you faced?
I would say one of the biggest challenges of my dressage career is to manage to stay on top of my game at all times. Being able to manage physical and mental demands, being able to be precise under pressure and plateaus in progress. Dressage is a slow methodical work. It can feel at times frustrating when progress stalls, especially at higher levels. I have been fortunate to have my father’s support since the beginning of my career.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Ride, eat, sleep, repeat. I spend most of my days at the stables, usually 9-10 hours a day, so that doesn’t leave me much time for more. (Not complaining).
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Rita training in Doha CD! 5* image courtesy of Lukasz Kowalski
Yes, it definitely takes a team! My support team is mainly my father and our team at home, who keep everything running when we’re away. Our vets, farriers, osteopaths, nutrition experts who do their absolute finest work to keep our horses in the best possible conditions. Obviously, the horse owners, whom without none of this would be possible. And our sponsors who have been supporting our team for many years now.
What are your future aspirations?
Definitely to have the chance of bringing up younger horses to higher levels. I have started at the Olympics, but I hope I get the chance to represent my country at Europeans and World Championships, and who knows other Olympic Games.
What do you think it takes to reach the top in dressage?
Rita with her father at the Lusitano Festival in Cascais.
Unbreakable patience and consistency, a strong and trust-based partnership with horses, expert coaching, physical and mental toughness and good horse managing.
Your Top Tip
As my mental coach (Rasmus Bagger) says: “Where focus goes, energy flows”.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
To believe in myself and my abilities.
Where focus goes, energy flows.
To listen and learn, from horses and people. Horses specially.
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Rita you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here. You can keep up with Rita’s progress and visit her instagram page here