A course to improve and perfect your flatwork and jumping. You will receive flatwork and jumping tuition in the mornings and rides out in the afternoon in the beautiful countryside. With a maximum of 4 riders per group the objective is to achieve harmony between horse and rider whilst focusing on balance and using a light contact. Individual courses can be arranged on request. The formula of this programme can be half board or breakfast only, depending on which hotel you choose to stay in. This gives guests the opportunity to visit the fabulous Mimizan beach and its surroundings to test out the wonderful restaurants (serving delicious seafood) or to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the beach. Great for sampling some typical French meals! Breakfasts and lunches usually include typical French items such as sausage, paté, cheese, fruit, Bordeaux red wine, soups, salads and chicken and meats with vegetables. 

In the mornings you will work on improving your position, both on the flat and over jumps. You will work on being in harmony with your horse during changes of pace/gait, changes of speed in accordance with various types of jumps. By the end of the course the aim is for you to be jumping a course of 8 to 10 jumps.

In the afternoons you can enjoy some relaxed riding out in the forest or on the beach in the stunning surrounding area.

An 8 day and 7 night trip through a gorgeous part of the Aquitaine region featuring riding through the stunning Landes forest and along the beautiful Côte d'Argent. This programme offers fabulous horses chosen for their great bloodlines and their gorgeous appearance. They are fit and healthy and can really shift along the beach in a safe and enjoyable way, accompanied by ponies chosen to suit younger riders.

During the trail days, riders travel up to 40km a day over a period of 5 or 6 hours with much time spent in canter and gallop as well as walking. The clear, sandy paths of the huge forest offer wonderful gallops but you will also encounter tougher and more challenging terrain as well as the flat beaches of this area. Food is of the typical Landes style and lunches are usually taken as proper meals at tables. A car follows the group for lunch and carries the luggage of the riders between each place (on the rare occasion when the group is particularly small then clothes are carried in saddle bags).

Day 1:

You arrive at your accommodation and join fellow guests for dinner and discussion.

Day 2:

This is a half day trail of around 4 and a half hours, including a 45 minute break where riders can chat about their first experiences over a cup of tea, cakes and orange juice. This day is designed to allow riders to get used to the horses and allows the hosts to grasp the experiences and capabilities of their guests so that the perfect horse can be found. For some riders, this half day allows them to get back into the swing of riding. The surroundings of the riding centre are very beautiful and the wild landscape offers great views of the ocean from the top of sand dunes. Lunch this day is not included as it allows for guests to find the perfect restaurant (delicious seafood!) along Mimizan-Plage (beach) or to eat on the beach itself if they desire.

Day 3:

Today is the start of the 4 days trail riding. This day of varied riding begins on the silvery coast before you head inland towards the Tielague Marsh, Sintias Lagoon and Bourg le Vieux lake. In the afternoon, after a delicious French lunch, you will head back towards the coast over the sand dunes. Your day of riding finishes by travelling along the banks of the River Courlis.

Day 4:

The riding today takes you over large, sandy plains where you can enjoy the company of your horses and companions and perhaps some lovely sunshine. You will then ride around some pretty lakes before taking in another of those tasty lunches; meats, french cheeses, salads and some fabulous Bordeaux wine. After filling your tummy with these delicious goods, you will ride south towards the picturesque village of Lévignacq, a charming old village with buildings showing traditional architecture. Overnight will be at the wonderful Landes Manor from the 18th Century.

Day 5:

During the morning the group will explore an area known as the Grande Lande before riding along the banks of the River Vignac, enjoying some long canters, and reaching the village of Mezos to the picnic spot. Once again you can enjoy a fabulous lunch before riding your way back towards the Bourg le Vieux lake, travelling via the Moulasse Marshes.

Day 6:

This is your last full day of riding and you will head towards the Étang d'Aureilhan, a large lake protected by the state and north of Mimizan. This lake, situated amidst the beautiful Landes forest with which you will now be familiar, provides a lovely setting for this last trail day and when the weather is nice, from June to the end of September, riders have the opportunity to play and swim in the water with their horses. You spend this afternoon riding along the shores of the lake before finishing your day with a sunset ride along the open beach.

Day 7:

This half day ride for the last day enables the rider to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and to enjoy some great gallops along the beach. You will ride in the morning or afternoon, according to the tide, and then will be free to enjoy the rest of the day as you choose. There are several options but guests often choose to shop, relax on the beach, enjoy the surf and to find a lovely place to buy lunch. Your farewell dinner tonight is a real feast!

Day 8:

Guests enjoy one last breakfast before their departure.

During the 4 day trail of this programme, it is not always possible to canter on the beach due to the high tide. Although it is fine to canter on the hard sand, it is not possible to canter in the sea water as the wet sand can get between the girth and the horse's skin injuring them. Therefore the target of the half day ride of day 7 is to offer the rider the perfect beach opportunity, at the right time, to ensure that nobody misses out on the wonderful beach experience. The beach is 200 metres wide and pretty empty so riders can canter and gallop into the sea water without restriction. During the warm summer months, there is sometimes opportunity to swim in the ocean with the horses.

This is an exhilarating trail where riders can see untouched scenery from the back of a beautiful anglo-arab. The riding covers different terrains, often rugged, but the horses are sure-footed, fit and willing to carry you safely throughout your journey. There are high peaks here leading into deep, wild valleys where eagles and vultures soar above you in the blue skies.

This trek is exciting and requires riders to be fit and confident in all paces and able to ride for 6 - 7 hours each day over some challenging terrain. The group will make the most of the great trot and canter opportunities provided by the landscape here and when difficult paths are encountered, riders are expected to be willing and able to walk beside their horse. Lunches are leisurely and consist of typical food from the region. Once you've had your fill, there is often time for a short siesta before continuing on your adventurous way.

Not only is this programme thrilling from a riding point of view but it also offers a very interesting insight into the culture of the Pays Basque region. When arriving in Saint Jean Pied de Port, a Unesco World Heritage Site, guests will enjoy discovering the area on foot before visiting the little shops and choosing a restaurant for a lovely first evening.

Day 1:

Transfer and arrival at the hotel in Saint Jean Pied de Port (literally meaning "Saint John at the foot of the mountain pass"), meeting at the Hotel des Remparts at 17.00hrs. This old town is stunning and filled with some lovely historical buildings and areas which are well worth a look. Dinner tonight is not included in the price which leaves guests open to choosing a restaurant here to take their first great dinner.

Overnight in St Jean Pied de Port or Urdos, depending on the size of the report.

Day 2:

After a 10am start, you will meet the horses and will ride up to the Monhoa Summit offering fabulous views of the area. You will cross over the Urdanzia Pass, taking in sights of the Aduldes valley, before spending the night at Banca, Hotel Erreguina or in a gite in Espila, according to the size of the group.

Day 3:

Starting at 9.30am, today's riding takes you from Banca along the Spanish side of this great area. You will cross the Lindus Pass and into the Quint region and the Aduldes valley. Overnight is taken in the village of Urepel or St Sylvestre in a gite.

Day 4:

Starting at 9.30am, the group heads through the village of Aduldes and up to Mount Harguibel. Up here you can explore the Spanish virgin forest and will appreciate your distance from civilization. Overnight at Banca at the Hotel Erreguina..

Day 5:

After a 10am start, you will cross the Elhorrieta Pass, enjoying the great views of Ispéguy Pass, you head towards the village of St Etienne de Baïgorry. Here you can taste delicious local wines produced in the Mignaberry vineyard. Overnight is spent in Urdos, Hotel Manechenae or at the St Etienne de Baïgorry.

Day 6:

Starting at 9.30am, this day takes you on a descent towards the village of Bidarrai where you follow the Col des Veaux watersheds until you reach d'Espelette. This is an attractive town with traditional Labourd houses and a castle. There is also a protected 16th century church here with Baroque altar and the grave of a local woman, the first chosen as the 'most beautiful woman in France'. The town is also famous for its dried red peppers. Overnight at Col des Veaux, Gite d'altitude.

Day 7:

At 9.30am, the riding continues past Sare, a village famed for its beauty, and up to the summit of La Rhune, a mountain iconic of the Basque country. It provides a wonderful view over the Gulf of Gascogne and provides a memorable end to this enjoyable riding week. The trip will come to an end at around 7pm in Olhette. You will be transferred to the Hotel Rhune in the village of Ascain, or Biarritz Airport or Mimizan (for those who will take a flight from Bordeaux the following day).

This trip can be extended by another day.

This trip is rich with the history of the Aquitaine region and is a trek through walled towns and fortified castles. Riding through the beautiful valleys here will lead you into the magnificent forest, a refuge for the local people during the 100 year war. The last few days of this holiday are spent back in the Mimizan area so not only do you get a trip of great historical interest, you also get the fabulous beach rides!

Some historical background:

In 1152, the marriage of Eleanor to Henry II (Henry of Plantagenet) lead the Aquitaine region into a long conflict known as the 100 year war. Several walled towns and castles were built during this period in order to respond to the different strategic, political and economic requirements of the area. This journey back in time takes you roaming on the back of your courageous charger through deep, mysterious valleys and on a maze of ancient paths through the forest. The three day historical trek ends each day in a lovely three star gite where you will enjoy scrumptious food influenced by the neighbouring Perigourd province. Following this, two and a half days are spent back in Mimizan in a two star hotel with breathtaking beach riding and exploration of this phenomenal area.

Day 1:

Arrival day.

Day 2:

This first day begins at 9am with discovery of the Cahors Vineyards and the Lot Valley, with an al fresco lunch being taken on the estate of Caze. The evening sees you take a visit to Bonaguil Castle, a great work of military architecture and the last of the great fortified castles in France. This amazing castle has never been besieged and is in a perfect state of preservation.

Day 3:

Today's trip is 50km and begins at 8.30am. Your guide will lead you to visit the noble Castle of Biron by passing beautiful buildings and the fortified church at the listed site of St Front sur Lémance. Lunch is eaten at the foot of the castle. Once you've had your fill of tasty food, and are fuelled for the afternoon's riding, you will head into the picturesque village of Gavaudun. From here you will begin your trail back towards Bonaguil, passing by the Castle of Gavaudun on your way back to the comfortable gite. This is a really exciting day of riding with several long canters.

Day 4:

At 9.30am the group begin their discovery of the forest of Perigord, with lunch being taken at the feet of the Castle of Sauveterre. There are a lot of nice canters during this trip and it is a shorter ride allowing for some relaxation by the gite pool.

Day 5:

Today you are transferred back to Mimizan (where the riding centre is based) and have a half day ride on the stunning beach.

Days 6 and 7:

This is a two day trail through the Landes region, heading from Mimizan to Contis and back again.

Day 8:

Departure day.

The objective of this riding centre is to make horse riding an activity accessible to and enjoyable for everyone. The instructors here enjoy teaching how a close relationship can be established between horse and man and how, by learning just a few important riding notions, beginners can take advantage of this fabulous activity and means of travel.

As a certified Riding School in a seaside resort, the number of summer visitors has meant that they have adapted an "accelerated learning method". This means that complete beginners can enjoy the pleasure of riding out whilst also feeling secure after very few riding sessions. This is enhanced by the adapted and well-trained horses. Guests will learn walking, rising trot, canter and maybe even gallop and how to move independently from the group in these paces. By following the techniques here, it is expected that most full beginners will be able to finish the week by cantering alone down the beach, illustrating good control of their balance and horse.

The instructors here speak fluent English so have no difficulty teaching English speakers. Around 6 hours is spent with the horses and learning each day - 4 in the saddle and 2 furthering their equine education.

Courses start on Mondays and guests should be quite fit and healthy to take total advantage of this great week.

The riding centre offers this flexible riding week (8 days, 7 nights) where guests buy a number of riding sessions to be claimed at a time of their choice. This makes it a programme more suited to families, those not wanting a set itinerary or guests who want to look around the area and enjoy the beach, shops and restaurants.

Riders of all levels buy a personnel card with either 8 or 6 riding sessions (each session being 2 hours) and are able to use these at their leisure. If they wish to join a half day tour of 4 hours then they use 2 sessions or for a day trip tour of 6 hours, they use 3 sessions.

The formula of this programme can be half board or breakfast only, depending on which hotel you choose to stay in. This gives guests the opportunity to visit the fabulous Mimizan beach and its surroundings to test out the wonderful restaurants (serving delicious seafood) or to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the beach. Great for sampling some typical French meals! Breakfasts and lunches usually include typical French items such as sausage, paté, cheese, fruit, Bordeaux red wine, soups, salads and chicken and meats with vegetables.

Shorter and longer stays, including weekend breaks, can be arranged to suit you so please ask the office for more details.