Magalhães, NunoBarroco, CristinaAntunes, Joaquim2016-04-112016-04-112015978-953-7930-08-0http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/3146Portugal offers a vast number of factors that boost the development of the national equestrian tourism. Equestrian tourism represents an important opportunity for the qualification and differentiation of the national tourism, as well as stimulating rural economies, helping to combat seasonality and asymmetries. The aim of this study is to understand how critical success factors such as the Lusitano horse, the national equestrian culture, the landscape diversity, among others, are important for the equestrian tourist. Also, to understand how they can contribute to the differentiation of the national equestrian tourism for international destinations that are already deployed in the market. For the purpose of this study is crucial to understand the perspective of those involved in the various equestrian tourism activities. In this sense, a group of companies were selected and exploratory interviews were conducted that contributed to a number of important outputs in the construction of the questionnaire, only applied to equestrian tourists. A total of 110 individuals participated in the research, with different profiles, motivations and types of involvement. From the analysis, it is concluded that the critical success factors are significant in motivating equestrian tourists, namely the quality of equestrian infrastructures, the Lusitano horse, the hospitality, among others. It is also possible to analyze that the equestrian tourist demonstrates a strong commitment: they are knowledgeable, since they read a lot about riding, belong to equestrian clubs and often face the possibility of having an occupation linked to the equestrian sector. Finally, the results highlight the agreement between participants and a significant number of statements made in the questionnaire related to motivation and involvement. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that equestrian tourists look for relaxing moments and opportunities to expand their equestrian knowledge in these type of activities.engEquestrian TourismTourism productConsumer behaviorMotivationInvolvementLusitano horseconference object