7 Days Ten-Lesson Intensive Dressage Horse Riding Holiday in Portugal

Facilities

The lessons given on the schoolmaster horses are one hour long, with a maximum of two riders per lesson. Lusitanos Riding Centre offers riding lessons, giving you the opportunity to ride a fully trained Lusitano. No previous experience in dressage is necessary. The riding center offers lessons on very well-schooled horses suitable for novice up to experienced riders.

The intensive program has two lessons per day. You can choose the disciplines for your program, including dressage lessons (all year round) or working equitation lessons (spring / summer).

Dressage

The dressage program consists of lessons during which various types of exercises are performed, from the simplest to the most complex, focusing on the evolution of the riders and building their abilities. All the horses are purebred Lusitanos and are trained to execute the most difficult exercises of the Grand Prix.

In order to make the most of the lessons, the riders should already be comfortable in a walk, trot, and canter. However, if you struggle with a lack of experience and practice, visit Lusitanos Riding Centre and learn with the magnificent horses.

The riding instructor is highly experienced. He taught for many years at a well-known horse riding center which is referred to in the equestrian tourism of Portugal. He is now collaborating exclusively with the Lusitano Riding Centre.

Lessons take place in the indoor arena with natural lighting and background music. There is a maximum of two riders per lesson, thus enabling the instructor to fully focus on each detail and provide high-quality teaching. Lusitanos Riding Centre dedicates much of their efforts to ensure your satisfaction as their foremost aim.

Working equitation

The working equitation program at Lusitanos Riding Centre was developed initially by João Batalha at Escola de Equitação de Alcainça. Currently, João Batalha coordinates this program at Lusitanos Riding Centre, where you can enjoy the experience of riding a Lusitano horse and go through all the obstacles of a working equitation track.

João Batalha has an experience in working equitation and Portuguese equitation. He competes at national level. During the program, you have the opportunity to ride with a Portuguese saddle and learn more about how to prepare the horses for competition.

The working equitation program starts with dressage lessons, after Lusitanos Riding Centre introduces the obstacles track, depending on the evolution and level of the rider during the week. There is a maximum of two riders per lesson, thus enabling the instructor to fully focus on each detail and provide high-quality teaching.

The horses

At Lusitanos Riding Centre, as you ride Lusitano horses for dressage and working equitation, the horses are very well-trained in these two disciplines. You will have the opportunity to learn all the Grand Prix exercises on the Lusitano horses.

Lusitanos Riding Centre is a school built around the Lusitano horse and settled on a beautiful farm. Just a 30 minutes drive from Lisbon, you have a chance to get lost in time and feel the rhythm of a typical old Portuguese village surrounded by vineyards, gorgeous landscapes, and Montejunto mountain views.

Distances

• Mafra, 33 kilometers
• Ericeira, 45 kilometers
• Lisbon, 45 kilometers
• Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, 45 kilometers
• Óbidos, 50 kilometers

During your stay, you will be provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An aperitif, typical Portuguese meat dish or fish, coffee or tea, water, and juice are included in lunch and dinner, with one bottle of wine (wine of the area) for two persons per meal. Additional alcoholic and soft beverages are paid separately. Breakfast will be served at the hotel, while lunches and dinners will be at local restaurants.

• Portuguese wine tasting
• Trip to wineries
• Visit to some tourist areas
• Visit to the beautiful Santa Cruz beach

• 10 dressage / working equitation lessons
• Highly experienced instructor
• Access to swimming pool
• Traditional Portuguese breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• Wine (one bottle per two persons per meal)
• Water, cookies, and seasonal fruits
• 6 nights accommodation

• Airport transfers
• Flights
• Touristic tours
• Travel insurance

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.