Lipizzaner Dressage, Slovenia
Programmes
• Basic Classical Dressage course (group)
• Leisure Programme - Absolute beginner course
• Leisure Programme - Novice course in a group
• Leisure Programme - Elementary course in a group
Reviews
“My first impression of the stud as we were driven down the main drive was the stunning sight of Lipizzaner horses, the brood mares and young stock in large natural herds.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Lipizzaner
Nature of horses:
Forward going, well schooled and responsive.
Height of horses:
157 to 160 cm
Weight limit:
90 kg (Horses are not suitable for very tall people due to their build).
Tack type:
English Dressage tack
Weather
Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, -6 C
Forecast:
Sat - Partly Cloudy. High: 8 Low: -3
Sun - Partly Cloudy. High: 9 Low: -2
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Individual tuition course
2010 prices: Programmes can be booked on a Full board, Half Board or Bed & Breakfast basis. Three day courses are also available for all programmes, please ask the office for a quote.
Shared occupancy:
Full board: £842
Half Board: £742
B & B: £643
Single room:
Full board: £923
Half Board: £833
B & B: £733
Basic Classical Dressage course (group)
Shared occupancy:
Full board: £774
Half Board: £674
B & B: £575
Single room:
Full board: £851
Half Board: £760
B & B: £661
Leisure Programme - Absolute beginner course
Shared occupancy:
Full board: £643
Half Board: £543
B & B: £444
Single room:
Full board: £723
Half Board: £629
B & B: £530
Leisure Programme - Novice course in a group
Shared occupancy:
Full board: £629
Half Board: £530
B & B: £430
Single room:
Full board: £711
Half Board: £616
B & B: £516
Leisure Programme - Elementary course in a group
Shared occupancy:
Full board: £774
Half Board: £674
B & B: £575
Single room:
Full board: £851
Half Board: £760
B & B: £661
Please note you can pay for extra riding, subject to availability.
Discounts:
- Free accommodation for children aged 0 - 7 years, sharing parents room on an additional bed.
- Baby cot supplement of £10 per day
- 30% reduction for a third person in a double room on an additional bed.
Availability/Booking Form
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 and Croatia. It offers courses in basic Classical Dressage Riding (up to Medium level) where you will ride one of the noble white Lipizzan school 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 the Karst region 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 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 Andalucian 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. They are born black before turning white. 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 is acclaimed for both its breeding of the horse and its world renowned team of dressage riders who perform exclusively on the Lipizzaners. It is also a popular vacation destination, providing a hotel, golf and tennis courses, and a range of nearby activities from exploring caves to wine tasting. The biggest attraction, of course, is the opportunity for visitors to ride the famous Lipizzaners themselves, and receive lessons in classical dressage from the experts.
Riding will be taught by the trainer with the aim of finding unity and harmony between horse and rider. 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. Here at the Stud farm in Slovenia, you also get to explore the magical Karst region, with sink holes and paths winding amongst the Karst junipers.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in one of the hotels on site. It comprises 59 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.
Programmes can be booked on a full, half or B&B basis. All packages include a guided tour of the Stud farm, a visit to the Classical Riding School and performance, a visit to the Art gallery on site, 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.
Also on site there is a souvenir shop that also sells some basic riding equipment from T-shirts, gilets, gloves, spurs, saddle cloths, fleeces, along with memorable gifts.
Basic but appetising food is available in the hotel restaurant and snack bar. We recommend the B&B package or half board, this will allow the opportunity to visit local, towns, villages and farmhouses, where you can enjoy fabulous traditional and homemade dishes.
We can also personally recommend a local restaurant. Slovenia is also well known for its wine production. Its pleasantly surprising tasty wines have been personally tried and tested.
Activities
Swimming, sauna, recreational and fitness activities, massage, casino, cultural events, exhibitions, towns, villages and monuments, golf, mini golf, table tennis, tennis, hiking and biking. Carriage rides can also arranged.
The Stud is in an ideal, picturesque setting and local activities include; trips to traditional villages and towns were you will find rich history, farmhouse visits where you can try their organically grown and homemade, traditional dishes, by arrangement, a highly recommended visit to the Caves, local wine and cheese tasting, visit to the stud farm (outside the centre, for the youngstock), village museum, this is privately owned by a personal collector of World war and other Slovenian war related equipment, the coast is also about 5km away, you can easily cross the Italian and Croatian boarders for day trips. There is also a castle visit and a visit to a 13th Century, stone village close by.
We could also link this tour to a stay at the Magic of Istria ride in Croatia for another riding or non riding experience. Please ask the office for further details.
Further Details
Languages: English, Slovene.
Health requirements: None Specific
Age limit: 12 years minimum
Tuition: Yes
Included: Accommodation, 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 EUR 105,00 each way.
The cost of Airport Transfer if travelling to Trieste is EUR 55,00 each way.
Should you require a transfer, the cost of the transfer will be added to your invoice and you will be issued a voucher for you to produce as proof of booking on arrival
You may wish to hire a car.
Airport: Trieste (Ronchi)
Alternative Airport: Ljubljana
Programmes
Individual tuition course
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Classical riding meaning 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 designed for riders who wish to train intensively. The trainer will focus on you as a single pair - horse and rider to help progress and solve specific problems. The course is also designed to teach the already competent horse rider dressage on a basic level or improve on skills already aquired up to Medium level. Riders on this course will aim to improve control, the effective use of aids to achieve collection, impulsion and balance of the horse as well as working towards or to master the more complex dressage movements such as lateral movements, half pirouettes in walk, different transitions. Your trainer will choose the exercises according to the rider's knowledge and ability. Participants should be active riders with an interest in or experience in dressage riding, who want to improve their skills and learn various corrections in different situations, to make the horse balanced and supple. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 1 |
| Ability description: | Novice, with basic levels and understanding of dressage to Experienced, as detailed by the programme. |
| Type of ride: | Tuition |
| Total riding time: | Six lessons at fifty minutes per session |
| Departure dates: | All year round: Saturday arrivals for the weekly course (riding starts on the Sunday); Thursday arrivals for the three day programme (riding starts on the Friday). |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Basic Classical Dressage course (group)
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This course is for the dressage enthusiast who wishes to improve their dressage basics following the principles of classical dressage. Riders learn to be aware of their own movements and are constantly asking yourself 'what you did to make the horse react in a certain manner'. This way the communication between the horse and rider is established. Results are achieved by co-operation and not by force. In twelve lessons riders can improve their understanding of dressage terms and practice according to their previous experience in more complex movements, combinations and lateral movements. The level of tuition is therefore adapted to the abilities of participants on a basic level. You will build on basic control of walk, trot, canter and good balance in the saddle. The lessons with an your trainer 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 2-4 (maximum) participants and includes 12 lessons with an instructor in the group (2 lessons per person per day). |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 4 |
| Ability description: | Strong Novice and above, must have a basic understanding of dressage riding and movements |
| Type of ride: | Tuition |
| Total riding time: | Twelve lessons, 50 minutes each session (two lessons per day) |
| Departure dates: | All year round: Saturday arrivals for the weekly course (riding starts on the Sunday); Thursday arrivals for the three day programme (riding starts on the Friday). |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Leisure Programme - Absolute beginner course
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The leisure programmes are intended for horse-lovers wishing to learn to ride the correct way. One cannot learn to ride fast, but needs to be persistent in order to understand the horse, his nature and the way you approach him. This course is for the beginner rider and with help from the trainer, riders can feel more relaxed and confident in order to learn. This is an individual course that guarantees the quality in progress. As a rider you will feel self-confident in order to control the horse and follow the horses movement in balance before you are able to join a group lesson. The absolute beginner will take part in six individual lunge lessons, with thirty minutes riding each lesson. You will be taught to ride correctly, without intimidation or constraint and to understand the horse as a whole. It means working with the horse and not against it. 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 co-operation. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 1 |
| Ability description: | Beginners |
| Type of ride: | Tuition |
| Total riding time: | Six lessons, 30 minutes each session |
| Departure dates: | All year round: Saturday arrivals for the weekly course (riding starts on the Sunday); Thursday arrivals for the three day programme (riding starts on the Friday). |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Leisure Programme - Novice course in a group
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This course is for the Novice rider with basic riding skills and with the help of your trainer, riders can feel more relaxed and confident in order to learn. This is a group course consisting of six lessons with a trainer. The lessons are 50 minutes long, daily. It is ideal for those that have had at least 8 - 10 lunge lessons, have basic riding skills and control of the horse or those not yet experienced enough for the dressage programmes. You will be taught to ride correctly, without intimidation or constraint and to understand the horse as a whole. It means working with the horse and not against it. 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 co-operation. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 4 |
| Ability description: | Novice |
| Type of ride: | Tuition |
| Total riding time: | Six lessons, 50 minutes each session |
| Departure dates: | All year round: Saturday arrivals for the weekly course (riding starts on the Sunday); Thursday arrivals for the three day programme (riding starts on the Friday). |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Leisure Programme - Elementary course in a group
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This course is designed for riders who aim to correct and improve their seat, position and use of aids in basic dressage elements. It is an upgrade from the Novice course and aims to help the riders learn correct and safe ways of riding. You will familiarise yourself with sitting trot, riding basic school movements such as different turns, small and large circles, changes of rein, canter exercises and transitions. This will be taught 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. The trainer focuses on correct seat, position and use of the aids. The course consists of 12 lessons with a trainer in a small group (3-4 maximum). There are 2 lessons per person per day. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 4 |
| Ability description: | Strong novice and above |
| Type of ride: | Tuition |
| Total riding time: | Twelve lessons, 50 minutes each session (two lessons per day) |
| Departure dates: | All year round: Saturday arrivals for the weekly course (riding starts on the Sunday); Thursday arrivals for the three day programme (riding starts on the Friday). |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |