8 Days Exclusive Horse Riding Training Nr Bordeaux in SW France

Facilities

You will be accommodated in a studio apartment on-site attached to the family home. It has an en-suite bathroom and shower with a double bed and a sofa bed. There are also fridge and tea coffee making facilities. There is a spacious terrace for relaxing and sunbathing. Hair dryer is provided.

This riding package is about improving your ability to communicate with your horse and developing your skills as a rider. Harris Horses will discuss your experience and ambitions, then create a special program for you. All levels of rider are welcome (from beginner to advanced). The lessons will be both fun and challenging, with the primary aim to build confidence to develop a calm, relaxed, and positive rider.

The horses

You will ride Harris Horses’ ex-competition horses through higher level flatwork, poles and basic grids, and onto jumping exercises and course riding. Harris Horses’ experienced horses are light in the mouth and fabulously schooled. They will introduce their riders to the importance of solid basics and higher level flatwork. Show Jumping is Harris Horses’ specialty and the horses have all competed at a high level in show jumping, but they will happily trot poles and "pop" small jumps when working with less experienced riders.

Harris Horses works at developing a strong and effective position, learning how to balance and control your horse on course, riding forward confidently with a clear plan - the key to successful competing!

Shorter programs are also available and can be booked on a daily basis from two to six days. Also available is a longer-term program, with or without your own horse, by arrangement.

The coaches

You will get top class instruction from Johnny Harris who is an ex-international show jumping rider and the elite UK show jumping coach and Jackie Harris, a motivational trainer and instructor with over 30 years experience. They will discuss your individual experience, ambitions, and aims, then create a bespoke program for you.

Harris Horses is situated in a peaceful area of countryside 4 kms from Coutras, South West France. Coutras has a mainline train station, and is close to the A89 motorway, which travels across Aquitaine from Bordeaux. The centre of Coutras is 50 minutes from the Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) and the same from Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC). Under 20 minutes’ drive from Coutras, lies the charming historic town of Saint-Émilion, surrounded by stunning Chateaux and thousands of hectares of some of the most famous vineyards in the World. There are many excellent eateries, ranging from bustling terrace cafés to a Michelin starred restaurant, and numerous wine shops for tasting and learning about the local wines from their (many English-speaking) staff. There, you will also find a modern spa with friendly English-speaking staff.

The fabulous city of Bordeaux was featured in the Sunday Times "Big Weekend Break" and is becoming one of Europe’s top city destinations. The city also has an excellent feature in The Wayfarer travel magazine. The spectacular Atlantic coast of SW France is World famous for it's surf and beaches. The resorts are located just one hour and 45 minutes' drive from Harris Horses. Lacanau and Biscarrosse are the big surfing hubs, with the annual Championships held every August. The stunning sand beaches stretch over 200 kilometers from Biarritz to Royan and beyond. In the calm waters of the horseshoe bay of Arcachon and Cap Ferret you will find the Dune de Pyla - the biggest sand dune in Europe.

Nearby places

• Bordeaux - 50 minutes
• Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) - 50 minutes
• Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC) - 50 minutes
• Saint-Émilion - 20 minutes drive

In this holiday, breakfast is provided and dinner is served either in the main room of the house or at the terrace. All meals are cooked using fresh local ingredients and any dietary requirements can be catered for. There is a huge variety of local salad, fish, meat, fabulous fresh bread from the village Boulangerie, and delicious French patisserie - as only the French can do. Of course, you can have a glass of local wine and the choice is endless. Please note that lunch is not normally provided, except by arrangement. Please send an inquiry for more information.

Explore the local area

Lunch is usually the main meal of the day in France, so an opportunity to visit local restaurants is one not to be missed. There are some restaurants that can be visited in the local town of Coutras. For a real treat, you can visit Saint-Émilion and have traditional lunch in the outside cafes, sitting in the warm sunshine with moules-frites and a glass of ice cold local rose - perfect. Harris Horses is very flexible and can adjust times to suit riders who wish to take trips out to visit local attractions. There are a number of excursions that Harris Horses can arrange for you including Chateau visit and wine tasting, a visit to Bordeaux, afternoon at the spa, horse racing at La Teste de Buche or La Bouscat, or a trip to a regional horse show to see International Show Jumping.

The fabulous city of Bordeaux is also a must see. It has beautiful historic buildings, busy roadside cafes, and very cheap tram system to get around. The new Wine Museum shows the whole wine-making process from start to finish with a very modern twist. The riverside walkway is a great place to stroll and then stop for a coffee or lunch at one of the many snack bars along the way. In addition, all along the coast Dune de Pyla, there are fabulous seafood restaurants and relaxing seaside cafes that you can visit. You can also visit the smaller and less well-known beaches of Hourtin and Carcans which are just delightful, relaxed, and generally quieter. Traveling a little further away is the historic walled Citadel of Blaye which guards the mouth of the huge Gironde estuary and the stunning Chateau de Vayres in Libourne is well-worth an afternoon out.

Local spa

There is a spa and treatment center in nearby Saint-Émilion. Brochures are available and bookings can be arranged on request. Please send an inquiry for more information.

• 10 sessions of riding (approximately one hour per session, individual or shared with one other rider)
• Daily breakfast and evening meal
• 7 nights’ accommodation
• Tax

• Flights from and to either Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) or Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC)
• Transfers from and to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) or Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC)
• Harris Horses can arrange transfers for you - cost £80.00 each way
• Additional riding can be booked, subject to availability; cost £65.00 per hour individual. £50.00 per hour shared with another rider.
• Car hire (if required)
• Charges for excursions
• Lunch (except by arrangement)
• Individual travel insurance

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) or Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (EGC) where you can hire a car

Please note that guests are responsible for their own flights and transfers. However, Harris Horses can provide transfer at a charge of 80 GBP each way for guests not wishing to hire a car

Arrival by train

The fast TGV from Paris travels direct to Bordeaux, where you can hire a car or take a local train to Coutras. There is another which continues to Perigord, via Libourne where you can hire a car or Harris Horses can arrange a pick up.

• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 28 days before arrival.