WEFL Presents An Evening with Tiago Ernesto and Alberto Conde

Working Equitation Florida hosted an open evening with our Master Mentors for the Train the Trainers program, Tiago Ernesto and Alberto Conde. These are the two men who will lead this pathway. Both grew up inside the Portuguese tradition the sport came from. Alberto is a 25-year professional bullfighter, the son of a bullfighter and Lusitano breeder, and rode on the Portuguese team that won at Montpellier in 1999. Tiago has spent decades competing and teaching on both sides of the Atlantic, and serves as Director of Education for the WEFL Signature Series. In this conversation our Master Mentors explain how teaching a trainer differs from teaching a rider, why the obstacles are some of the best dressage tools available, how to build confidence in riders who are afraid to look like beginners, and what they expect participants to look like eighteen months from now. This session is part of the WEFL Signature Series: Train the Trainers, a mentorship pathway for trainers, instructors and barn owners who want to bring Working Equitation to their own students and communities. The launch clinic runs October 2–4, 2026 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center with Tiago Ernesto. Riding and auditor spots are still open, and you do not have to be a trainer to attend. Apply or learn more: workingequitationflorida.com/wefl-signature-series-train-the-trainers CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome and introductions 6:01 Which obstacles a clinic really needs 13:32 Alberto Conde joins the call 15:23 Alberto's story: Portugal, bullfighting, and the roots of the sport 21:38 Why trainers hesitate, and how to lower the barrier 25:07 Schooling shows, formats, and performing under pressure 35:06 How Behind the Bell fits alongside Train the Trainers 41:07 The dressage tools hidden inside the obstacles 49:02 Teaching the person, not just the horse 1:01:35 Advice for riders who feel shy about signing up 1:08:27 Rules, judging, and getting them right 1:19:47 "You can share your secrets, but you can't share your experience" Working Equitation Florida is an educational membership organization serving riders, trainers, show managers and aspiring officials across Florida. Find upcoming clinics, schooling shows and membership information at workingequitationflorida.com