DRESSAGE, JUMPING & TRAIL IN PORTUGAL

The world’s most famous equestrian event, The Horse of the Year Show, has celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a mix of prestigious showing and show jumping championships plus an exclusive Dressage to Music demo from Katie Price – aka Jordan, to the sounds of her husband Peter Andre’s hit Mysterious Girl… If you’re not quite ready for the ‘big time’ (along with burning spotlights, 56,000 spectators and musical accompaniment), Equine Adventures’ offer two centre-based, Portuguese horse-riding holidays combining trail rides with expert equitation tuition from internationally renowned dressage rider Miguel Magalhaes, João Silva - an accomplished eventing rider/instructor, Francisco Fleming - one of Portugal's top ten show-jumpers, and David Alves.

Portugal has a strong equestrian tradition dating back to pre-Roman times producing many fine international riders. With a temperate climate, stunning landscapes of olive groves, cork trees and vineyards, it is an ideal year-round riding destination. Based at Hippikos Equestrian Centre on the border of the Peneda-Geres National Park, owned by Olympic Show Jumper Antonio Vozone, riders explore the beautiful Costa Verde of Portugal’s northwest whilst learning classical dressage or improving show jumping skills. During dressage lessons, ride skilfully trained horses, most of them world-famous Lusitanos, that are able to do flying changes (tempi changes), lateral work (half pass, leg yielding, shoulders in), extended trot, canter pirouettes, piaffe, passage, Spanish walk and work on the long lines. For time out of the saddle, relax by the indoor pool, explore the stunning landscape on foot, play tennis or visit tranquil, nearby beaches.

Classical Dressage Training & Trail Riding - 7 days, departs Porto every Sunday.
Classical dressage lessons are taken on skilfully trained horses, with internationally renowned dressage rider, Miguel Magalhaes (2007 Vice-Champion of Portugal) and David Alves. Ride for between three and four hours a day, including two 60-minute sessions of flatwork training, mainly concentrating on outline, transitions, lateral movement and flying changes (depending on ability), and a trail ride.

Show Jumping & Trail Riding - 7 days, departs Porto every Sunday.
The programme is run by João Silva, an accomplished eventing rider / instructor and Francisco Fleming, who consistently ranks as one of Portugal's top ten show-jumpers. Combine flat work and jumping on highly trained horses. Ride for between three and four hours a day, including one 60-minute flat work lesson and one 60-minute session over jumps, followed by a trail ride.

Holidays costs from £1,099 p/p (ride only) including return transfers, guesthouse accommodation, most meals and all riding.

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