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4 Day Horse Riding Holiday for Intermediate and Advanced Riders in Apúlia e Fão, Portugal
Suave Mar Hotel, Av. Eng. Eduardo Arantes e Oliveira, 4740-204 Esposende, Portugal
Short Horse Riding Training Program in Portugal
Boasting two riding centers located outside the picturesque town of Esposende in Northwest Portugal, Portugal Equestrian truly offers the complete equestrian experience with over 90 horses and some of the best facilities in Portugal. Whether interested in improving your dressage or show jumping skills through professional clinics or want to experience this breathtaking part of the country on horseback, Portugal Equestrian caters to your every need. Portugal Equestrian ensures high-quality training through a highly professional international team. Thanks to their ideal geographical position, they also offer some of the most spectacular trail rides in the country, either along the beaches of the stunning Atlantic coastline or through the magnificent Gerês National Park.
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 210 pounds / 90 kilograms
- Horse Height Range: 16.2 to 15.3 hands
- Tack Type: English tack
- Horse Breed: Lusitano, Dutch, French, and German warmbloods
Meet the instructors
+2
Highlights
- Option to choose: 5 lessons or 3 lessons +1 trail
- A maximum of 2 riders per lesson for personalized attention
- Program for intermediate and advanced riders
- Dressage horses up to Prix St. Georges Level
- Show jumping horses up to 1.35 meters
- Classical dressage, show jumping, working equitation, or combined training
- Enthusiastic and high-performance English-speaking guides
- 3 nights half board accommodation with snacks and drinks included
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
3 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
Group size: Maximum of 2 participants
Accommodation
This resort in Esposende faces the Cávado River and is 200 metres from the Atlantic Ocean. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a gym, WIFI and free parking is available.
The restaurant reveals a spectacular panoramic view over the beach and the Atlantic Ocean, where one can taste regional Portuguese cuisine and enjoy a charming dinner setting facing the nearby sand dunes.
Program
Daily itinerary
You will visit the center's facilities on the first day and after that, you will have time to settle into your hotel and relax. On the second day in the morning, you will begin your weekend horse riding program. There will be a maximum of two riders per lesson so they can ensure you receive the highest level of tuition.
About the program
The standard program can be booked in classical dressage, show jumping, working equitation, or combined training.
Horses
Portugal Equestrian is home to more than 90 horses, combining their own and private livery. The welfare of the horses is paramount and the overall main priority. Portugal Equestrian has a wide selection of horses available for both dressage and show jumping. For dressage, they mainly offer lessons on beautiful Lusitano horses educated up to St George level, and in the jumping, they use a variety of Portuguese, Dutch, French, and German warmbloods jumping up to 1.35-meter level. All of the horses are ridden with English tacks.
To guarantee your satisfaction during your stay with Portugal Equestrian, it is key to match the right rider with the right horse. Horses and riders will be matched based on information obtained from the guests during an initial one-on-one session where you together discuss your previous experiences, as well as your goals for your stay with Portugal Equestrian to find the perfect horse for you.
Instructors
João Barros
João has won eight national titles as a coach and competed in more than 100 international competitions up to 1.40-meter level. He speaks Portuguese and English.
Antonio Portela Carneiro
Antonio is a professional rider who has twice been crowned national champion in show jumping. He has represented Portugal at the WEGs in Aachen and European Championships in Mannheim as well as in numerous nations' cups. He speaks Portuguese and English.
Silvio Teixeira
Silvio is a Brazilian native and professional rider who has ridden in more than 200 international competitions. He is currently one of the most competitive riders on the Portuguese show jumping circuit. He speaks Portuguese.
Miguel Santos
Miguel is a professional rider and devoted trainer who competes at the top national level. He speaks Portuguese and English.
Anna Lindberg
Anna is a Swedish native and professional rider who has competed up to 1.60 meters international GP level. She speaks Swedish, English, and Portuguese.
Location
Esposende
Esposende, like many small towns in Portugal, has a long and ancient history. There is much archaeological evidence of this time - from stone age through to the Roman occupation, although you might not see very much today. The town has been important as it is strategically situated between Oporto to the south and Vigo, in Spain, to the north. Esposende has a long maritime tradition and people from Esposende were amongst the first to cross the Atlantic to Brazil and return to Portugal as "Brazileiros de torna viagem" - literally meaning, Brazilians make the trip.
Nowadays, you are more likely to find and enjoy the various small town squares with their cafes and the stunning sandy beaches - which have long been appreciated by Portuguese holiday-makers and today are being increasingly appreciated by foreign tourists. To the north of the town is the nature reserve - the natural park of the north coast - a large area covering some 1,200 hectares and famous for its wetland areas and beautiful coastal sand dunes. It was the need to protect these magnificent sand dunes, that led to the creation of the protected area you see today.
During the migration period of spring and autumn, this becomes a prime spot for bird watching. Further inland, lush pine forests surround the town. Esposende offers a wealth of activities and culture all year round for non-riding partners and families, with many traditional restaurants famous for their seafood, bars, and cafes offering good food and live music, its easy to find something to do in the evenings.
Portugal Equestrian
Portugal equestrian is happy to offer you some of the best facilities in Portugal. Their two riding centers are both owned and managed by the Barros family who, with their extensive experience at the top level of the sport, have created facilities to accommodate riders at all levels. Being a reference riding center for the north of Portugal, they are proud to have some of the best riders in the country choosing Portugal equestrian as their base, giving their equestrian holidays just that extra touch of professionalism.
- Four indoor arenas
- Offices
- Three outdoor arenas
- Bar and restaurants
- Horse walker
- Circuit for horse and carriage rides
- Paddocks
- Residencial area
- Tack shop
- Recreation areas
Distances
- Equestrian center of Esposende - 3 minutes
Food
This weekend program includes half-board meals: lunch is included on the riding days. Snacks and soft drinks are also provided at no extra charge available during morning time at the stables, not at the hotel.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Soda
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Portugal Equestrian is also happy to organize any extra sports or cultural activities you may wish to do:
- Additional lesson: 100 EUR per riding lesson
- Boat trip
- Canyoning
- Cellars visit
- Kitesurfing
- Port wine tasting
- Private lessons upgrade: 30 EUR per riding lesson
- Riverside walking
- Wine tasting
What's included
- 5 lessons or 3 lessons +1 trail
- 3 days of riding
- 3 nights accommodation
- Classical dressage, show jumping, working equitation or combined training
- High-performance instructors (English speaking)
- Dressage horses up to Prix St. Georges Level
- Half-board accommodation: Lunch is included on the riding days.
- Transfers to/from hotel
- Morning snacks and soft drinks
- Individual locker
- Free Wi-Fi
- Horse equipment
- Program supervisor
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Extra nights at the hotel
- Translator
- Babysitting
- Extra activities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
OPO
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
32 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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