Day One
Today you will fly into Faro airport. Transfers for either arrivals or departures which necessitate being at the airport between 9.00am and 9.00pm are charged at €50.00 each way, transfers outside these times may be made by taxi at a cost of €90.00 each way. The transfer charges are payable locally. Alternatively you can hire a car from the airport or you can easily get the train or bus to the local town of Ourique. You will be based at this superb, modern, family run equestrian/dressage centre in the rural southern Alentejo part of Portugal, just 1hr north of the busy Algarve. You will initially be given a short tour around the facilities which include a 50 x 70m outdoor competition arena, 20 x 40m indoor arena, kitchen and rest area with a covered terrace, bar, coffee & tea facilities before being shown to the onsite luxury cottage which is set in its own private grounds of the equestrian centre.
This afternoon you will have a private lesson in either the indoor or outdoor arena with Pru or the onsite Portuguese instructor Luis. Pru is an Enlightened Equitation level 3 teacher and BHSII, BETCM Instructor. Luis has trained with the renowned trainer and rider Rick Klaassen and international riders Nuno Palma Santos, Daniel Pinto and Carlos Pinto. They are able to teach flat work and show jumping. During your lesson you can enjoy learning how these amazing Portuguese Lusitano move. After your lesson you will be enjoying your first hack out into the stunning Alentejo countryside with fabulous views of the distant hills to Monchique. This evening dinner will either be served with Pru and Julian in the main house or you will be taken out to one of the local restaurants where you can sample the splendid local cuisine.
Day Two
This morning after a good nights sleep and breakfast in your cottage you will take the short walk back to the stables for another ride - choose from dressage instruction or a ride out. You can ride straight out from the centre passing through acres upon acres of picturesque pasture land, crossing flowing streams and fields of sheep with their lambs. Lunch will be served on the terrace over looking both arenas. You will be able to watch Luis training the Lusitano stallions and the Warmblood eventer, and Pru teaching basic flatwork up to the more advanced dressage movements. If the weather is nice you can even take a dip in the pool! The facilities here are absolutely outstanding and as such major competitions are often held here.
This afternoon choose again, dressage diva's can enjoy more training whilst outdoor enthusiasts can hack out from the equestrian centre and absorb the breath-taking surroundings; each route is different offering plenty of canters for the more experienced rider. You won't come across a single road during your time here. This evening before dinner make the most of your luxury spa shower and relax with a glass of wine on your private terrace before taking the short stroll up to Pru and Julian's exquisite home for a traditional BBQ.
Day Three
Today the dressage continues or you can choose to venture out on a trail ride in the beautiful countryside surrounding the centre. Here you can ride for miles and miles along historic tracks and through small villages. During your trail ride you will pass ancient eucalyptus woods, and fields of sheep and black pig. It is a birdwatchers paradise with everything from seasonal, beautifully coloured bee-eaters, to the wonderfully majestic storks that come to fish in the lake.
The equestrian centre have a mixture of Warmbloods and Lusitano horses suitable for all levels from complete beginners to the most advanced riders. The Lusitano horse originates from Portugal and is said to be the oldest saddle horse in the world. They are courageous, robust and agile working horses with natural collection. This truly is a fantastic holiday!
Day Four
Sadly today is your final day, Julian will take you back to Faro airport for your flight.
Days out visiting stud farms, wine tasting, or spending time on the ocean on Julian's private yacht can all be planned into your holiday, just ask if this is something of interest.
Prices
3 nights full board plus 5 riding opportunities £395pp
4 nights full board plus 6 riding opportunities £525pp
6/7 nights full board plus 10 riding opportunities £950pp
*Half price for a 4th group member*
NO SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
Transfers for either arrivals or departures which necessitate being at the airport between 9.00am and 9.00pm are charged at €50.00 each way, transfers outside these times may be made by taxi at a cost of €90.00 each way. The transfer charges are payable locally.
Accommodation
Originally built as a simple wooden house in 2007 for Julian & Pru to live in while setting up their equestrian business, it has now been fully refurbished to a very high standard for letting. A new traditional insulated façade has been added to increase the internal comfort in both winter and summer, yet it retains the former character of the wooden house inside. The cottage consists of two twin bedrooms both with en-suite shower rooms, an additional small bed is available on request for larger groups or families. All linen and towels are provided. The sitting room has comfortable leather sofas, air conditioning/heating, TV and freeview satellite, DVD player, with French windows out on to the raised terrace. There is also a small dining area with a fold out dining table within the sitting room. The galley kitchen is fully equipped with electric oven, gas hob, dishwasher, fridge and microwave. There is a covered terrace with climbing plants, dining table and chairs as well as a private garden and sun-loungers.
*When the cottage is not available single travellers will be accommodated in their own private double bedroom and bathroom with en-suite facilities in Pru and Julian's house*
Also available is broadband internet service, use of a washing machine, swimming pool & further sun-loungers on the yard, bicycle hire by prior arrangement and various cultural and site seeing tours by arrangement.
Instructors
Pru Clayton-Mead:
A rider since the tender age of 3, Pru spent many happy years hunting, competing with riding club teams across all disciplines, a season show jumping and then several years in affiliated dressage. Owning and breeding Trakheners then bringing on her young stock to competition level became her passion. In the early 90’s she trained with Di Belton, Danny Pevsner and Sue Payne to achieve her BHS qualification as an Intermediate Instructor. Heather Moffatt of Enlightened Equitation came to teach a livery client in Pru’s Suffolk yard and Pru immediately empathised with the way Heather instructed. She thus decided that she wanted to train with Heather and is now one of only 6 Level Three Instructors certificated by Enlightened Equitation.
Luis Xavier de Cavalho Peres:
In the early 90s, he firstly trained for 4 years at Centro de Equestre da Leziria Grande with the Mestre Luís Valenca Rodrigues where he was given an excellent grounding in riding and working with horses. From here he went on to ride and compete for the Stud Quinta da Torre.
Since then, he has worked for some of the best known studs in Portugal, taking care of the mares and foals, backing the youngsters and producing some superb competition horses, both Lusitano and Lipizzaner.
During his working career so far he has trained with Grande Prémio Jorge Pereira. Renowned trainer and rider Rick Klaassen. International rider Nuno Palma Santos. International Olympic rider Daniel Pinto. International rider Carlos Pinto. Luis is able to teach in Portuguese, Spanish, English and French.
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Equestrian Escapes inspect all the horses in our horse riding holidays to ensure the best quality holiday for you.
For more riding holidays in Portugal or for one that is located in the Algarve region please click the link. We also offer a wide range of horse riding holidays in the UK and around Europe. If you are looking for a short break or a longer riding holiday, we will find the perfect equestrian holiday for you.
Lindsey riding one of Pru's Lusitano stallions - Feb 2013