Fred’s training philosophy is deeply rooted in the Portuguese style of riding, emphasizing clear communication, patience, and sensitivity, knowing the horse is always listening. His approach prioritizes natural balance, forwardness, and connection, helping each horse reach its full potential. Fred enjoys working with horses of all breeds and skill levels, from young prospects to seasoned athletes, with a special passion for Lusitanos. Fred dedicates his days to developing client horses at LusoWest on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and providing training to horses and dedicated riders in Brentwood, California. His personalized training approach ensures both horse and rider receive exceptional guidance, fostering meaningful progress and excellence in every session.
Frederico Bernardino
Background
Fred’s passion for horses began at a young age, inspired by his late grandfather. At just 8 years old, he started taking lessons under the guidance of Luis Filipe de Oliveira and his son, David, at Quinta da Amorosa—a prestigious, family-run facility renowned for producing champions across multiple equestrian disciplines, particularly Working Equitation. It was here that Fred had his first glimpse into the world of Working Equitation.
At the age of 10, Fred enrolled in Colégio Militar, where the riding academy focused primarily on show jumping, and he competed regularly in the discipline. By 12, he also joined Centro Equestre da LezÃria Grande (CELG), home to the esteemed Valença family. Under the mentorship of Sofia Valença, Fred developed a solid foundation in the core principles of dressage, sharpening his skills and gaining valuable experience as he competed alongside the CELG team in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Working Equitation.
At 15, Fred took a summer job with Paulo Santos, a renowned Dressage and Working Equitation trainer now based in the UK and the team trainer for British Working Equitation. This opportunity led to further training and competition under Paulo’s expert eye. A year later, Fred transferred to Escola AgrÃcola da Paiã in Lisbon, where he continued competing in dressage and show jumping while finishing his high school studies. During this time, he also began grooming for friends at Dressage and Working Equitation competitions, further deepening his involvement in the equestrian community.
Fred’s career took a pivotal turn when he began working for David and Diogo Oliveira—former World Working Equitation Champion and former European Young Rider Champion, respectively—as a barn manager and rider. This experience immersed Fred in the highest levels of competition, allowing him to refine his expertise in managing and training horses for international-level performance. His work developing young horses in dressage and Working Equitation gave him an exceptional ability to understand the unique needs of each horse and tailor their training to bring out their best.
Following a brief visit to California at the end of 2021, Fred and his wife, Sofia, made the life-changing decision to move there permanently in March 2022. Together, they embarked on an exciting new chapter, combining their talents and expertise to pursue their shared passion of working with horses.
In 2022, he earned an impressive 4th-place national ranking in Level 5 Working Equitation and is excited to continue competing in both Working Equitation and Dressage this year.
