Horse-riders Travel from Minas Gerais to Brasília for Anniversary of Brazil’s Capital

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This past Sunday, April 21st, a group of horse-riders known as the 12ª Cavalgada Portal Minas/Distrito Federal marched along the famous monumental axis of the capital and stopped at the Praça do Cruzeiro to commemorate the fifty-ninth anniversary of Brasília and also pay tribute to former president and fellow Mineiro, Juscelino Kubitschek.

The horse-riders, whose aim is to unite the cultures of Minais Gerais and the candangos (the first workers who constructed Brasília) first rode the 142 mile (229 km) journey from Minais Gerais to the country’s capital twelve years ago.

The ride leaves Minais Gerais on April 13th and arrives in the captial on April 21st, where they throw a big party open to all. “It is a lot of friendship and emotion filled with causes and prose, guitar-playing and beautiful storytelling.” comments Sinval Júnior da Mata, president of Clube do Cavalo to Visite Brasília.

As well as commemorating the capital’s fifty-ninth anniversary, the riders are paying homage to the country’s twenty-first president, Juscelino Kubitschek, the Mineiro president who constructed Brasília, who serves as a bridge between the rural and the urban, according to the group.

With the passing of a law in August 21st, 2012, the Cavalgada Portal Minas/Distrito Federal became enshrined in the official calendar of events for the Federal District. And on the Sunday of their arrival, they put on a party featuring live performances of sertanejo and forró, food trucks and children’s activities.

“It’s a gathering of generations, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A unique moment.” Júnior da Mata concludes.