5 Day Developing and Refining Fundamental Dressage Skills Riding Package in Merrimac, Massachusetts

Guesthouse

Down a narrow dirt road in a small New England town, through iron gates, you are transported to a magical place that is reminiscent of the European countryside. Sons of the Wind Farm is a picture-perfect view of 28 acres of rolling hills, 200 acres of adjacent conservation land, immaculate barns, arenas and pastures, and a magnificent Baroque-style guesthouse.

The Sons of the Wind guesthouse is comprised of four well-appointed guest rooms, a gym, a master suite, an apartment, a state of the art kitchen, and numerous sitting areas both inside and out. All rooms have stunning views of the farm and are tastefully decorated in European style. The Baroque style guesthouse provides a calm, peaceful, and comfortable ambiance, allowing visitors to feel relaxed and focused on their training sessions. Sons of the Wind is a one of a kind, unique European classical dressage experience!

Guest Amenities

• Guest-friendly 5,800 square foot Baroque style house where all guests can quickly and easily “make themselves at home”.
• Several sitting areas that are airy, bright, welcoming, and warm where anyone at any time can relax in a casual and comfortable environment.
• Four well-appointed and comfortable European style single and double guest rooms all located on one floor.
• Two modern full baths that are easily accessible from the bedrooms with an additional full bathroom nearby.
• Full modern kitchen with all amenities and cooking necessities which will satisfy the culinary needs of any chef.
• Media and multiple lounging rooms with luxuriously comfortable furniture for those post-ride reflective moments where you can be by yourself or share your unique experiences with other guests.
• Wi-Fi throughout the house including all bedrooms, common areas, and the patio.
• Fitness center and work out room with a variety of equipment to help you stay in shape.
• Large outdoor patio for grilling, relaxing, enjoying the grazing Lusitanos, watching the fountain, or viewing a memorable sunset as well as experiencing an occasional rainbow.
• The farm has 28 acres of well-groomed equestrian grounds, equipment, arenas, and stables and abuts over 200 acres of town forest and conservation land with a trail system creating a tranquil, peaceful, serene environment. This is a hidden gem that is only 45 minutes from Boston and conveniently located just off several major highways.
• A fountain is centrally located on the property and the surrounding buildings re-create the ambiance of a small European village with easy access to the arenas, barns, an old Tack Shop now used for supplies, the former snack bar, the viewing area, and short walks to turnout areas, a round pen, and horse exercise equipment. With a few short steps, a guest can quickly transition from the fountain area into a full-working horse farm to start their riding lesson or just enjoy all the activities of the farm.

Onsite Equestrian Fitness Center Amenities

• Spinning bike
• Elliptical-stepper machine with heart rate monitor
• Treadmill with incline and heart rate monitor
• Free weights and circuit weight equipment
• TV and videos for routine-based workout also available
• Available 24 hours a day, every day

Rider and Student Amenities

• All lessons and instruction will personally be conducted by the Master, Vitor Silva.
• A library of approximately 50 horses and Schoolmasters managed and trained by Vitor Silva.
• Progressive learning environment for building a good foundation of classical equestrian art.
• Professional and skilled staff for grooming and caring for your horse in clean, well-maintained stables.
• A large indoor arena (178′ X 70′) with full kickboards, mirrors, and is well-heated for winter instruction and training.
• Spacious viewing area annexed to the indoor arena for viewing lessons and special events.
• A former snack bar that now serves as a meeting room or an informal gathering area to discuss lessons and personal experiences with other riders and guests. This room has kitchen facilities and is adjacent to the viewing area.
• A large outdoor arena with a separate jumping area and regulation-size dressage arena (100′ X 240′).
• Each arena has full German Geo Textile (GGT) footing and is maintained daily. GGT is a dust-free footing that offers remarkable cushion and traction, does not contain any toxic or hazardous substances, and is the footing of choice by many international and prestigious dressage arenas.
• Conveniently located restrooms throughout the facilities.
• Several golf carts are available to help guests facilitate transportation needs.
• Panoramic views of the farm from many vantage points where you can enjoy the tranquil Merrimac and New England countryside during all four seasons.

Horse and Boarder Amenities

• Eighty matted, well-ventilated stalls divided into six separate barns with some stalls as large as 12 x 12.
• Each barn has an independent heated tack room and a grooming area.
• The facilities have a 64-foot diameter covered round pen.
• Stalls are maintained and cleaned thoroughly every day. A full-time staff meticulously cleans all barn and arena areas on a regular basis, including fly control treatments.
• Six horse wash bay areas.
• Twenty-two individual or partner Paddocks for daily turnout.
• Convenient scheduling for Farm Vet and Farrier visits and consultations.
• TheraPlate™ Treatment: To help your horse with minor rehabilitation through a body vibratory system for relaxing muscles and relieving minor aches and pains. The TheraPlate™ is also used to assist in warm-ups and cooldowns.
• Kraft™ six-horse walker is available for exercising your horse with controlled walking or trotting.
• Equine Treadmill
• Daily Turn Out 3-4 hrs/day (weather permitting),
• Four feedings per day.
• Blue Seal Feeds and Timothy Hay are the primary choices for quality and health.
• Quality supplements daily (provided by farm personnel).
• Storage area for trunks.
• Farm and management personnel are on the property 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a security gate that is closed during the evening hours.

Arrival by airplane

Pleasea arrange your flight to arrive at Logan International Airport (BOS) or Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Transfers from these airports are not yet included but are available at additional costs.

Arrival at the farm

As you pass through the iron gates of Sons of the Wind Farm and take in the beauty of the stone walls, rolling hills, and majestic horses, there is a sense of the old world. The European style riding school is situated in a valley on 28 acres of scenic New England rolling hills and is adjacent to 200 acres of conservation land making for a beautiful and peaceful farm. As you reach the top of the driveway, you will come to a large Baroque-style home.

If you arrive during the daylight hours, Vitor is most likely in the barn or in the arena. On the path down the driveway toward the fountain area, you can capture a magnificent view of the rolling hills and several beautiful Lusitanos either playing or grazing in the pastures. Conveniently park in the fountain area where you’ll see a large barn, an old renovated tack shop and a former snack bar.

Enjoy a walk to the snack bar and upon entering, turn right, and move to the arena’s viewing area. You’ll potentially find Vitor conducting a class or practicing a routine with his Schoolmasters, a quick preview of your training for the next few days. If Vitor is conducting a class or practicing a routine, please feel free to watch for a while and be both entertained and intrigued by the graceful movements of the Lusitanos and a rider practicing their lesson.

Further, take a walk around the grounds to explore all the special features of this full working horse farm, picture-perfect views, 80 stalls in 6 barns that house 50 amazing well-trained horses, a busy staff of professional horsemen attending to these horses with meticulous care, and all featured amenities you’ll enjoy while creating your fulfilling classical dressage experience.