Call it the luck of the draw, or great planning by the soccer Gods, but I arrived in Brazil just in time for the kick off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Having watched the Seleção win not one, but two of its five championships growing up, it’s an understatement to say I get excited about the tournament. And this year, as it is being hosted right here in my home country, there is even more reason to watch and celebrate!
As we began to make our way out of the Pantanal we stopped at a beautiful farm called Aranquan to watch the game. Only 30 kilometers from the town of Miranda, we left the horses resting with Eder and his wife and headed to town to the Pantanal Hotel to catch the action.
Just as we arrived the ref blew the whistle to begin the first game of the World Cup, Brazil versus Croatia.
“Lets go Brazilllllll!” the crowd in the bar yelled as Emma and I found a seat.
Sporting our number ten Neymar Junior jerseys, we cheered the Seleção on. What should have been an easy game turned ugly when Croatia scored first. Luckily Brazil’s star Neymar scored two goals to turn everything around, and another ended the game 3 – 1 for the home team.
Relieved and tired from the stressful first half, we celebrated with the crowd. Cars drove by in a parade, honking and waving Brazilian flags, and we yelled back!
“If Brazil plays like this against a team like Italy or Germany we are in a lot of trouble,” I told Emma as we headed back to the farm.
A little disappointed, but happy with the victory, we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ back at the farm with Eder, his family, and the owners of the farm – Lucas Miglioli, his wife Patricia, their two kids, and Patricia’s mother.
“We love what you are doing Filipe,” Patricia said as we enjoyed some delicious meat direct from the farm.
I can’t thank this beautiful family enough for their support and love. Patricia and her father Mr. Norbert raise and compete on some of Brazil’s best cutting horses. It is an honor to now count them among my friends.
“Before you arrive in Campo Grande you will have to stay at our horse ranch ‘Gruta Azul’, so you can try out our cutting horses,” Patricia said.
“I can’t wait!” I replied, wide eyed.
For those who love the great American Quarter Horse as much as I do, riding a cutting horse has always seemed to be but a dream. A cutting competition consists of a cowboy or cowgirl separating one calf from a herd and keeping that calf away from the rest. As the calf tries to deak out the horse to return to the herd, the horse jumps from left to right with the quickness of a cat! It is a beautiful display of the intelligence and athleticism of the Quarter Horse. The rider puts his hand down to the horses neck and does not move the reins at all, the animal learns to stop the calf by itself. It’s beautiful. I can’t wait to cut for the first time in my life… I’ll be dreaming of it until I get to ‘Gruta Azul’.
