The WL Team

The people behind Wasatch Lusitanos — breeding, training, and daily care rooted in Portuguese tradition.

Nuno Matos

Director of Breeding & Training

Nuno’s vision of producing top-quality Lusitanos in the United States is being realized at Wasatch Lusitanos in Petersburg, Tennessee. He brings a lifetime with the breed—spanning genetics, riding, training, and competition—anchored in a deep respect for classical Portuguese principles. He developed his riding and training over many years working Lusitanos at every level, including time training with Pedro Torres and other masters in Portugal. Nuno deepened his breeding and genetics expertise under the mentorship of Manuel Braga. As chief breeder at Coudelaria Mário Vinhas, he further refined selection and stud-farm management. At Wasatch Lusitanos, Nuno leads both breeding direction and training.

Zé Maria Fialho

Rider & FEI Development — Dressage

Zé Maria joins Wasatch Lusitanos from Benedita, Portugal. He grew up immersed in horses from a very young age and later studied at the Pedro Torres Academy for five years, graduating with top honors. He specializes in Dressage, developing PSL horses from their first rides through confident, rideable partners, and competes select Wasatch Lusitanos forward to Prix St. Georges and beyond.

Tomas Pereira

Rider & Young Horse Development

Tomas is from Portugal and brings a solid Lusitano background to Wasatch Lusitanos. He specializes in Working Equitation, focusing on starting PSL horses and building a reliable foundation. His goal is rideable, brave, and adjustable partners that reflect the best of the Lusitano.

Rita Fernandes

Photographer & Social Media Director

Rita leads photography and social media for Wasatch Lusitanos, documenting the horses, team, and daily life of the breeding program for riders and followers around the world.

Sheri Prucka

Founder, President & CEO

Sheri founded Wasatch Lusitanos to bring the best of Portuguese breeding and training to the United States. Based in Petersburg, Tennessee, she leads a program developing purebred PSL horses—registered with APSL—for Dressage and Working Equitation. Working with Nuno Matos, she guides thoughtful pairings and development so every horse grows into a rideable, confident partner.