Santarem, Portugal, May 21, 2026 (Lusa) - The Expoegua festival begins on Thursday in Golega, in the district of Santarem, with a programme combining equestrian events, gastronomy, wine and cultural entertainment, establishing itself as a premier event for the evaluation of animals, Deputy Mayor Diogo Rosa said on Thursday.
Speaking to Lusa, he acknowledged that the 2026 edition did not feature any standout new features, but emphasised the event’s consolidation as a venue of professional excellence in equine evaluation, highlighted the festival's growing reputation, and noted the presence of domestic and international breeders and participants.
The programme runs until Sunday and includes the Expoégua National Competition on Saturday, featuring assessments of foals and mares of various ages, and the presentation of industry awards and distinctions.
Dressage competitions, working equitation and carriage driving trials are also scheduled over the four days.
The event is accompanied by parallel activities, notably the “River Fish Gastronomic Exhibition” and the “Olive Oil Salon”, which form part of the 4th Biosphere Festival, taking place at the same time.
He said that the 2026 edition features new producers from the local council: two olive oil producers and one wine producer, making their event debuts to promote their products.
As for attendance, he said it was not possible to quantify the number of visitors, given that it is a free-entry fair, but the event attracts thousands of participants over the four days.
"Some come for sporting events, others have a financial interest in purchasing animals, and there are also those who come for the evening entertainment," he said.
The economic impact on the region is considered significant, with the deputy mayor noting that local accommodation capacity is fully booked for the duration of the event.
"At the moment, it is no longer possible to book short-term rentals or hotel rooms, which shows that occupancy is at full capacity," he said, adding that a similar situation applies to the catering sector.
He also highlighted the unique nature of Expoégua within the national landscape, pointing out that the festival was originally created to promote the mare, which is frequently overshadowed by the stallion.
“It highlights something that no other event in Portugal does, which is the mare, as an essential element in the production and promotion of the horse,” he said.
Regarding the budget, he said that the Breeders' Association handles the organisation, with the local council covering specific operational costs.
In total, the investment amounts to around €80,000 - €90,000, including contributions from the local council and the organising association.
The programme also features musical and cultural entertainment, including concerts, performances by folk dance groups and evening activities, spread across various venues in the town, such as the High-Performance Centre (Hippos Golegã) and Manuel Tavares Veiga Square.
JYRE/MYAL // ADB.
Lusa
