Bordeaux Breaks, France
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Dutch warmbloods, Irish part breds, TB, Irish cobs, New Forest, Welsh & Shetland
Nature of horses:
Easy going and good natured
Number of horses:
14
Height of horses:
13.2-16.3 hh
Weight limit:
15 st/95 kg
Tack type:
English - in excellent condition
Pricing
Tailor made holidays
The following prices are inclusive of full board accommodation and approximately 2 hours of riding per day.
One - six nights £120 per person per day.
Seven nights £790 per person.
SPECIAL RATES AND DISCOUNTS
Children 10 - 15 years £105 per day for one - six nights.
Children 10 -15 years £690 per person for seven nights.
Groups of four or more £50 discount per person.
Family groups of two adults and two children 10% discount.
Non riders 35% discount.
Gite Option - This price is inclusive of seven nights self catering rental for a maximum of 5 people. Gite rental:
June - October - £710
November - May - £515
Riding for guests staying in the gite charged as follows:
One hour lesson / ride out £32 per hour per person.
Morning session inclusive of lunch £55 per person per session.
Please contact the office for details of riding for children under ten years of age.
Intensive Show Jumping Courses
The price of this programme inclusive of three nights full board accommodation and all training is £375 per person
Special Discount
10% discount available on group bookings of three or more people.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
All riding is tailor made to suit your level of ability and experience and classes are kept deliberately small to allow for plenty of individual attention. Those who prefer a more sedate pace can enjoy hacking through vineyards and woodlands, but for your own safety you are assessed in the menage prior to riding out.
Your hosts are highly qualified and experienced having owned and managed a large equestrian school and stud and trained hundreds of riders. Both are BHS and BSJA accredited coaches who still breed horses on a small scale.
One of your hosts is an internationally recognised show jumper who still competes regularly between coaching sessions in England and France. The show jumping courses here are designed particularly for show jumping and event competition riders. They are also suitable for students taking BHS riding exams Stage 2/3/4. You can improve and practice your show jumping technique riding fabulous 'schoolmasters'.
During the summer months the majority of instruction takes place in the mornings for the benefit of both horse and rider. Riding time is on average two hours per day although additional tuition can be arranged as well as evening rides.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Guests choose whether to stay in the main house or the gite, both of which offer comfortable and spacious rooms but different food options.
The recently renovated stone farmhouse is set in four acres of tranquil gardens surrounded by grass and woodland filled with birds and wildlife.
There is a large swimming pool (in use May to September) at the rear of the house with plenty of natural shade.
Guests stay on a full board basis in either twin or double rooms. There is a large sitting room available with a log burner, comfortable sofas, English TV and a pool table. There is also a sunny breakfast room which looks out onto the garden.
The gite is situated a short distance from the main house and is available as a part of a full board and riding package or can be rented on a self catering basis. It is perfect for friends, families or riders with a non riding partner as all guests are welcome to use the facilities.
The gite has two double bedrooms and can be adapted as required. The kitchen is fully equipped with all modern appliances including a dishwasher.
This region of France is famous for its delicious cuisine and fine wines. For those choosing full board you will have the opportunity to sample a range of superb English and French dishes.
Meals are a relaxed affair sitting around the large table in the kitchen or outside on the terrace. At the end of the day watch the sun go down on a walm and balmy evening - a glass of excellent wine in your hand - perfect.
Your hosts try to provide a new type of wine for you to sample each day from the light and sparkling Bordeaux 'Cremants', the fruity Graves and aperitif Bordeaux wines, to the more robust and serious reds of Pomerol, Fronsac and St Emilion.
Activities
Situated within 40 minutes drive of the beautiful city of Bordeaux and just over an hour from the superb sandy beaches of the west coast, your accommodation is nestled in the rolling hills of Aquitaine near the pretty market town of Coutras.
Those wishing to do little more than ride will not be disappointed, as you can relax in the tranquil secluded gardens or take a dip in the spacious swimming pool. You might wish to improve your golf swing in the practice area.
For the more adventurous hiring a car and exploring the local vineyards is very straightforward. Bordeaux is one of France's seven wine regions and is known for its world class reds. Bordeaux has incredible architectural riches, best discovered by exploring its different quartiers, each with its own unique history and character.
Cultural enthusiasts cannot fail to be impressed with the endless theatres, museums and cathedrals. The Place des Grands-Hommes is contains the city's most luxurious shops from quality foodstuffs to high end fashion. After some serious retail therapy you can stop to rejuvenate in one of the pretty cafe terraces around the place Camille-Julian.
Those visiting in July can experience the Jumping International de Blaye at the Douves de la Citadelle or throughout the year visit the coastal resort of Arcachon and attempt to climb Europe's highest sand dune! Surfing enthusiasts can enjoy the world famous waves and in August the championships take place. For younger children there is Lacanau Lac, a small inshore lake perfect for paddling, pediloes and building sandcastles. Lacanau is surrounded by miles of pine forests and is a true cyclists paradise. Special tracks have been built all over the area and bike riders have their own lanes on the road. There is also a superb golf course situated between the forest and the beach.
The village of Guitres (which has four bakeries) is two kms away and the local town of Coutras if four kms away. There you will find a twice weekly market, a good selection of shops and a large modern supermarket, full of wonderful local produce and fabulous wines.
Further Details
Languages: English and French
Health requirements: None specific
Age limit: Under 10 in gite packages only
Tuition: Yes
Included: All meals, all riding, use of all facilities,
Not included: Flights, transfers to and from Bordeaux airport (although this can be arranged at an additional cost), insurance (essential),
Travel Information
You can fly direct from the UK to Bordeaux. The flight is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and your accommodation lies 45 minutes from the airport. FlyBe, BA, RyanAir, EasyJet, British Midland, Air France and Air Lingus all provide a service to Bordeaux.
Alternatively you can travel to France by boat and drive to Bordeaux. Brittany Ferries, P & O Ferries, Sea France, Speed Ferries and Condor Ferries sail from the UK across the channel on a regular basis. You can easily travel across the channel with the Eurostar which travels non stop from London to Paris and then non stop to Bordeaux. Overland trains in France are also available.
Airport: Bordeaux
Programmes
Tailor made holidays
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Programmes are exclusively and personally tailored to suit your individual requirements. Riding sessions are offered daily and generally last for approximately two hours. After an initial assessment in the menage you will be able to begin tuition offered both on the flat and over fences, or venture out on a trail. Generally ridng takes place in the mornings leaving the rest of your day free for exploring or relaxing whilst avoiding hours in the saddle when the sun is at its hottest. However, during the summer months evening hacks can be arranged. The flexible approach employed here allows this programme to also be tailored to suit first time or returning riders. Whether you have never ridden before, want to refresh your skills or gain confidence after a bad experience, you will guided and supported by a sympathetic hand. You will be introduced to the horses at your own pace, gradually learning to groom, handle and ride a gentle and well mannered horse. Johnny has competed at international level as well proving himself as a valuable instructor by being awarded BSJA accredited trainer status. His expertise, combined with fantastic school masters and lovely set of show jumps and cross country course make for the perfect setting such instruction. Jackie is a fun and motivating instructor with over thirty years of experience in teaching riders of all levels; including complete beginners and nervous riders through to coaching Pony Club and International teams. Inspirational training is provided for all standards of rider whether you are a complete beginner, a little rusty or an equestrian star of the future. Your hosts Johnny and Jackie will help develop your skills both on the flat and over fences allowing you to gain the confidence to master new techniques. Those wishing to take a more relaxed approach and simply discover this beautiful region will not be disappointed. Surrounding the centre picturesque trails through woodlands and vineyards await you, boasting tracks perfect for gentle strolls or fun canters. Another option offered here is self catering accommodation in a lovely self contained gite in the grounds. This is perfect for families or groups who would like a little more flexibility from their stay and who may not want to ride everyday. Chidren under the age of ten are welcome to join this option and will be offered riding specifically tailored to them. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Beginners to experienced |
| Type of ride: | Tuition and trails |
| Total riding time: | 2 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | To suit |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Intensive Show Jumping Courses
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This three night four day course is led by your host Johnny, who has himself competed at international level. The course is suitable for those competing or aspiring to compete in show jumping or eventing as well as students working towards BHS stage 3 or 4 qualfications. Throughout the course you will ride the centre's excellent school masters; all of whom are ex competition horses chosen for their ability and temperament. This allows all of the training to be focused on improving your own technique, thus improving your skills and confidence that you can apply to the horses you ride at home. During the course you will work on all aspects of successful competitive riding including jumping related flatwork, jumping off against the clock and walking the course. This is the perfect opportunity for you to concentrate purely on your own techniques whilst guided and supported by accredited BSJA coach with years of experience at International level. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and advanced |
| Type of ride: | Training and tuition |
| Total riding time: | Flexible |
| Departure dates: | To suit |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |