Ride Description

Founded in 1580, the ancient Stud farm is today a world famous sports and recreational centre and is one of the most attractive cultural and historical sites of the Republic of Slovenia, situated close to the border with Italy. It offers courses in Classical Dressage Riding where you will ride one of the noble white Lipizzan horses. Here, the tradition of breeding and selection of pure Lipizzan horses has been alive for over four hundred years. Visitors can find relaxation and spend an unforgettable holiday in this green oasis of Karst, surrounded by the mysterious subterranean Karstic world, rich with Karstic phenomena, in the shade of century-old linden trees and oaks, under the blue sky of the Mediterranean. Among various other facilities offered by the Stud farm there is also a renowned golf course, located in the typical Karst countryside.

There are only a few stud farms in the world that can boast a 425-year tradition in horse breeding, and there are even fewer stud farms which would be renowned for a breed of horse as remarkable and noble as the Lipizzaner, which is one of the oldest breeds in the world. In Roman times the Karst breed was recognised for its stamina and speed. In 1580 the Karst horses were crossbred with Andalusian stallions imported from Spain, and later on with other breeds. Thus the original lines formed, all of which can be found today at this Slovenian Stud farm. The Stud farm also breeds 16 families of mares.

The Lipizzaner is a special breed of horse, of medium growth, a deep and broad horse, about 160 cm in height. The Lipizzaner has lively eyes and an intelligent look. The ears are fine and expressive, the muscular neck is arched, and the mane and tail are luxuriant and silky. The legs are strong and muscular, the joints prominent and wide. The hooves are robust, small and finely shaped. The gait is high, gracious, energetic and proud. All the beauty and charm of a Lipizzaner is expressed in its gait, for which this breed has been considered one of the best parade horses. The highly trained horses show all their beauty and grace when executing dressage movements, such as piaffe (cadenced trot on the spot), passage (suspended trot in slow motion), or school jumps like courbette or capriole.

Owing to its centuries-old tradition and knowledge, your hosts at the Stud farm like to devote their attention to those riders who prefer investing their leisure time in a quality activity, see a partner and friend in a horse, and experience a feeling of attachment, all of which are encompassed in the core principles of the classical riding school.

The stud farm offers riding courses for all who are aware that only the classical riding method, which has been taught by the riding masters over the centuries, yields unity and harmony of the rider and the horse. At the same time, they do believe that the classical riding methods should be modernised and adjusted to today's rider. Here, tradition and a modern approach go hand in hand. There are only a handful of classical riding schools in the world - and only two of them provide such an experience on the back of a Lipizzaner. And only one, here at the Stud farm in Slovenia, is a place where the noble Lipizzaner takes you to explore the magical Karst world, with sink holes and paths winding amongst the Karst junipers.

Courses range from Novice for amateur riders who would like to upgrade their knowledge and learn the basics of classical dressage riding while at the same time exploring the countryside, through to Classical Dressage Riding programmes at various levels for those who wish to improve their skills.

Food & Accommodation

Accomodation is provided in one of the hotels on site. It comprises 59 luxury rooms with 107 beds and 7 suites. All rooms are en suite with a bath or shower and toilet, hair dryer, telephone, radio, TV and mini-bar. Single and double rooms are available.

Hotel facilities include a snack bar, restaurant, indoor swimming pool with outdoor sun terrace, sauna, hairdressing salon and casino. There is also a golf course close by providing year round facilities.

A Bed and Breakfast package, or Half Board is available. The Bed and Breakfast package includes a guided tour of the Stud farm, a visit to the Classical Riding School, a visit to the local Art gallery, free admission to the swimming pool, sauna, fitness and massage facilities, mini golf, table tennis and tennis. There is an additional fee for the Golf Course facilities. Half Board includes all the above with the addition of Dinner.

Well presented, appetising local food is available in the hotel restaurant and snack bar. Slovenia is well known for its wine production and its tasty wines.

Activities

Swimming, sauna, creational and fitness activities, massage, casino, cultural events and exhibitions, golf, mini golf, table tennis and tennis.

Horses

Type of horses: Lipizzaner

Nature of horses: Forward going, well schooled and responsive.

Number of horses: 50 riding horses.

Height of horses: 160 cm

Weight limit: 85 kg

Tack type: English

Further Details

Languages: English, Slovene.

Health requirements: None Specific

Age limit: 14 years minimum

Tuition: Yes

Included: Accomodation, riding, meals as detailed by the programme and use of the facilities as detailed.

Not included: Lunch, dinner for the Bed and Breakfast programme, transfers, flights, medical insurance and travel insurance.

Travel Information

Flights from the UK go to both Trieste and Ljubljana. Trieste is the closest airport to your destination.
Easyjet flies from London Stansted to Ljubljana.
Ryanair flies from both London Stansted and Birmingham to Trieste.
The cost of Airport Transfer if travelling to to Ljubljana is £80 each way.
The cost of Airport Transfer if travelling to Trieste is £45 each way.
You may wish to hire a car.

Airport: Trieste (Ronchi)

Airport 2: Ljubljana

Classical Dressage Programme - Elementary Level

Classical riding in the proper sense of the word means correct riding, without intimidation or constraint. It means working with the horse and not against it. Only in this way, communication between the horse and rider develops as the rider the horse and is aware that every move he makes means a signal for the horse. The key responsibility always lies with the rider who has to act in a way to make the horse feel comfortable. The result is achieved through cooperation, not by force.

This course is designed for riders who aim to correct and improve their seat, position and use of aids in basic dressage elements. The level of instruction is adjusted to the rider's abilities. Participants should be riders with a firm seat, capable of controlling the horse in school paces and able to use their aids correctly.The course is suitable for riders who would like to improve basic dressage elements, work on lateral movements, different transitions.

The course consists of 12 lessons with an instuctor in a small group (3-4 maximum). There are 2 lessons per person per day.

Minimum group size: 1

Maximum group size: 15

Ability description: Intermediate, as detailed by the programme. The level of instruction is adjusted to the rider's abilities.

Type of ride: Tuition

Total riding time: 12 lessons of fifty minute duration.

Departure dates: To suit

Pricing: Either Half Board or Bed & Breakfast packages are available:
Please contact the office for 2008 prices

Classical Dressage - Individual Instruction

Classical riding in the proper sense of the word means correct riding, without intimidation or constraint. The rider has to act in a way to make the horse feel comfortable. The result is achieved through co-operation, not by force.

This course is suitable for participants with previous experience in dressage riding. The riders on this course are required to control the use of aids to achieve collection, impulsion and balance of the horse as well as master dressage exercises in school paces, like lateral movements, half pirouettes in walk, different transitions.... The instructor chooses the exercises according to the rider's knowledge and ability. Participants should be active riders with experience in dressage riding, who want to improve their skills and learn various corrections in different situations, to make the horse balanced and supple. During the course, elements like lateral movements, half-pirouettes in walk, counter-canter.....are practised.

The course consists of 6 individual lessons with an instructor ( 1 lesson per day).

Minimum group size: 1

Maximum group size: 15

Ability description: Experienced, as detailed by the programme.

Type of ride: Tuition

Total riding time: 6 fifty minute lessons

Departure dates: To suit

Pricing: Half Board and Bed & Breakfast packages are available :

Please speak to the office for 2008 prices

Beginners Programme

Classical riding means correct riding without intimidation or constraint. It means working with the horse and not against it. In this way, communication between the horse and rider develops as the rider listens to the horse and is aware that every move he makes means a signal for the horse.The rider has to act in a way to make the horse feel comfortable and the result is achieved through cooperation, not by force.

This course is for beginners with basic experience. It is designed for amateur riders who would like to upgrade their knowledge and learn the basics of classical dressage riding. The course consists of 6 lessons in the riding hall with an instructor (1 lesson of 50 minutes per person per day). It is strongly recommended that participants take at least 8-10 individual lunge lessons before joining the course.

Minimum group size: 1

Maximum group size: 4

Ability description: 15

Type of ride: Tuition

Total riding time: 1 lesson of 50 minutes per person per day

Departure dates: To suit

Pricing: Half Board and Bed & Breakfast packages are available :

Please contact the office for 2008 prices

Novice Programme

This programme is designed for amateur riders in basic control of walk, trot, canter and good balance in the saddle. The lessons with an instructor consist of simple exercises such as serpentines, small and large circles, changes of direction, halt, turn on the forehand. The instructions are focused on the correct seat and position of the rider as well as the correct use of aids, representing the basic elements of classical dressage riding.

The group consists of 3-6 (maximum) participants and includes 12 lessons with an instructor in the group (2 lessons per person per day).

Minimum group size: 1

Maximum group size: 15

Ability description: Novice

Type of ride: Tuition

Total riding time: 12 lessons with instructor in a small group - 2 lessons per day

Departure dates: To suit

Pricing: Half Board and Bed & Breakfast packages are available :

Please contact the office for 2008 prices