The 1st D. Afonso Henriques Horse March takes place in Guimarães, promoted by the Association of Veterans of Lanceriros of Portugal in partnership with the Association Horses with Tradition, with the support of the Municipality of Guimarães. The event begins at 3:00 PM at the Convent of Santo António dos Capuchos, from where the riders will head towards the city center, passing through Alameda de São Dâmaso, Largo do Toural, Rua de Santo António, Rua de Val de Donas, Rua da Rainha and Largo da República do Brasil, returning to the starting point.
One of the central moments of the initiative will take place at the Monument to D. Afonso Henriques, on Conde D. Henrique Street, where a ceremonial protocol with speeches and delivery of insignia to participants is planned. The arrival at the Convent is expected at 5:15 PM.
Under the motto "The First Knight of Portugal", the march aims to evoke D. Afonso Henriques as a warrior and knight, recovering the historical importance of the horse and the Cavalry in the formation of Portugal. The participation of the Veterans of Lanceriros of Portugal brings to the initiative values traditionally associated with the Portuguese Cavalry, such as courage, loyalty, discipline and team spirit.
The march assumes particular significance due to the proximity of the celebrations of the 900 years of the Battle of São Mamede, a decisive episode in the history of D. Afonso Henriques directly linked to Guimarães. The organization invites families, visitors, horse lovers and all those interested in the History of Portugal to follow the passage of the riders, intending to transform the event into a moment of encounter between History, tradition and community.
