Overview

• Food & Accommodation

• Activities

• Travel Information

• Further Details

• Photo Gallery

• Weather

• Printable Version

• Check Availability

• Pricing

Programme

• Based Programme

Reviews

“Marc is great fun, his English excellent and he undoubtedly is a very talented riding instructor - he still judges around the country and is very passionate about dressage. We were made to feel very welcome, had a great time and were very well looked after... guests live as part of the family. The horses are all trained to a very high standard, sensitive and have competed. The Quinta is located in a beautiful, peaceful and very rural region and the whole place is full of rustic charm. ”

“We had the most amazing time!! Absolutely loved every second out there Marc was a great trainer and Tom who works at the yard was so lovely and welcoming. Paulo cooked the most delicious food too! It was nice just to spend time relaxing with the dogs and puppies too, all the animals are so well looked after over there! I've even been asked to ride someones dressage horse back in England because of the training I got from Marc so I'm already looking into going back to visit them again next year!! ”

“We had a fabulous time. I highly recommend this dressage training. Miranda and I learned more during this week than we ever expected. Everything was fantastic. Really, there is nothing else you could want from a riding vacation. Beautiful location, kind and highly educated horses, fantastic food, fabulous instruction. Most of all, great people that are fun and enthusiastic. I am trying to see if I can make time to go again. Also, I will not hesitate in recommending your company to my friends. You were the definition of professional and prompt.”

In the News

“Save between 100 - 160 euros (season dependent) per person, per week, when booking a full board week stay on programme A. Book before the end of May 2012 for these excellent savings! ”

“Prices as little as £510 per person, per week, full board with 10 dressage lessons for April and May! ”

Horses

Type of horses:

Lusitanos

Nature of horses:

Beautiful, intelligent and willing. These horses are highly trained and very sensitive.

Height of horses:

15.2hh - 16.3hh

Weight limit:

90kg

Tack type:

Dressage saddles and double bridles or snaffles with draw reins.

Weather

Current Conditions:
Fair, 20 C

Forecast:
Thu - Partly Cloudy. High: 29 Low: 11
Fri - Sunny. High: 26 Low: 13

Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather

(provided by The Weather Channel)

Pricing

Prices are per person, per week (7 nights), based on sharing a double room. B&B options are also available.

LOW SEASON (1st Jan - 29th February 2012, 1st November - 19th December 2012):

Option A (10 hours dressage tuition):
Half board - £536
Full board - £632
Under 12's - £96 discount
Single Supplement - £101

Option B (9 hours dressage tuition + 2 hours hacking out with guide):
Half board - £558
Full board - £654
Under 12's - £96 discount
Single Supplement - £101

Option C - Dressage and Body Conscience (10 hours dressage including 1 private sitting lesson, 6 theory lessons and 3 hours of sports massage). Theory lessons include history of the horse, basics in riding, the creation and circulation of energy/activity, transitions, mind and body control.
Half board - £695
Full board - £777
Under 12's - £96 discount
Single Supplement - £101

Option D (6 hours of dressage tuition for under 12s, 1 hour per day):
Half board - £352
Full board - £434

HIGH SEASON (1st March - 30th October 2012, 19th December - 31st December 2012):

Option A (10 hours dressage tuition):
Half board - £558
Full board - £654
Under 12's - £107 discount
Single Supplement - £107

Option B (9 hours dressage tuition + 2 hours hacking out with guide):
Half board - £581
Full board - £676
Under 12's - £107 discount
Single Supplement - £107

Option C - Dressage and Body Conscience (10 hours dressage including 1 private sitting lesson, 6 theory lessons and 3 hours of sports massage). Theory lessons include history of the horse, basics in riding, the creation and circulation of energy/activity, transitions, mind and body control.
Half board - £717
Full board - £799
Under 12's - £107 discount
Single Supplement - £107

Option D (6 hours of dressage tuition for under 12s, 1 hour per day):
Half board - £363
Full board - £445

Optional extras (both seasons):
6 Theory Lessons: £56
1 Massage: £32
Relax Pack (3 massages): £80
Private Lesson: £40

Price does not include flights or travel insurance.


Availability/Booking Form

Ride Description

This is a wonderful destination for dressage tuition in the beautiful Alentejo region of Portugal. The destination is dedicated exclusively to Lusitano horses and offers lessons in dressage for Beginners to Haute École level from qualified and experienced instructors. Guests stay in a charming guesthouse decorated in traditional Alentejo style and set on an 11 hectare property.

Your main host here, Marc, is an accomplished dressage rider and instructor who has been taught by the likes of Nuno Oliveira, Anne d'Ieteren and Joseph and Marcelle Kettmus. Along with his experienced staff he has welcomed hundreds of guests to this peaceful Portuguese getaway. In recent times, Marc has been ably supported by Tom, who shares a deep passion for the Iberian horse and has a superb knowledge of classical dressage. Despite his youth, Tom is highly appreciated by the team for his strengths in communication, dedication to the guests and his understanding of the horses. The property itself is close to the town of Vidigueira which is known for its undulating land, alive with olive trees and vineyards. The climate here is pleasant, dry and warm, making it the ideal holiday spot and a lovely destination at which to improve your riding.

The guesthouse is decorated in typical Alentejo style and features individually decorated bedrooms, rustic and welcoming communal rooms and beautiful porches on which to relax and unwind. There is also a swimming pool, terrace and a lovely flower garden which add to the charm of this accommodation. For those looking for fantastic dressage tuition and a peaceful getaway this is an excellent value destination which combines top instruction and horses with a warm welcome, good food and accommodation and Marc's delightful sense of humour.

See Programmes.

Food & Accommodation

The beautiful guesthouse is a recently renovated farm in typical Alentejo style and rests on an 11 hectare property. There are five double guestrooms decorated with a different theme, each with their own bathroom (bath and shower) and an equipped private terrace. The furniture is sourced from all over the world.

There is a rustic style lobby where you can find information (daily weather forecast, guidebooks, internet access) and can make bookings for taxis, babysitting, laundry and transfers. The living room has a beautiful vaulted roof and traditional fireplace and it is equipped with tv, games table and a bar. It has a lovely atmosphere, with music playing in the background, and is a great spot to relax and unwind. Wireless internet access is available all over the guesthouse, including the bedrooms, at a cost of 3.5 euros a day.

The guesthouse has a flower garden, swimming pool (towels and parasols provided) and a surrounding terrace for sunbathing (with sunbeds). There are also porches and courtyards which offer lovely views over the garden and surrounding hills.

Rooms have electric fans and guests are advised to keep the windows and doors shut against the heat of the day.

You will find several friendly dogs at this destination (Basset Hounds and a Great Dane) so please be aware of this. Guests are asked not to feed them or to invite them into the rooms.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a dining room where bone china, crystal and silverware are used in a simple but sophisticated way. The hosts want you to enjoy your time at the table!

The cuisine is a mix between regional, international or oriental and vegetarian meals can be provided with prior notice. The wine list presents some of the best wines from the region and they make a lovely accompaniment to your meals.

Breakfast : from 8.30 am to 10.00 am

Lunch : from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm

Dinner : from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm

Marc often does the cooking himself and you will find the meals tasty and varied, dinner 3 courses and lunch sometimes 3 courses too!

Please note, it is not advisable to drink the water at this destination and therefore it is recommended that you purchase bottled water from the guesthouse itself.

Activities

You can spend your time out of the saddle by resting on a chaise longue by the pool, walking around the orchard and olive groves, booking and enjoying a massage or observing a performance on the outdoor stage.

Within 3kms there is a fitness centre with sauna, jacuzzi, cardio-fitness, body building and gym. The town sports centre offers also an open air Olympic sized pool with diving boards, an indoor swimming pool with children’s pool, tennis courts and basketball courts.

There is a fabulous wine tasting place about 10km away and your hosts can happily take you there for a visit. Other excursions can be arranged. We recommend that guests here hire a car unless they are happy just to ride and relax by the pool, taking in the lovely situation of the Quinta.

Further Details

Languages: English and Portuguese (some French, Spanish and Italian also).

Health requirements: Fit & Healthy

Age limit: None within reason (there is a children's programme for under 12s).

Tuition: Yes

Included: Accommodation, meals, dressage lessons and hacks out as described in programme.

Not included: Flights, travel insurance, transfers, drinks and extras.

Travel Information

Transfers or driving instructions can be arranged from and to both Faro and Lisbon airports (which are an equal distance from the riding centre). Transfers can also be arranged from and to the bus/train stations at Évora (54 km) and Beja (24 km). We highly recommend that people hire a car at this destination as it is quite remote.

Transfer prices:
Lisbon or Faro round trip (per car, 2 persons or more): 325 Euros
Lisbon or Faro round trip for one person: 220 Euros
Évora: 75 Euros
Beja: 40 Euros

Airport: Faro

Alternative Airport: Lisbon

Based Programme

This based stay offers fabulous dressage lessons from a qualified and experienced instructor with the option of hacks out into the Alentejo countryside. This 7 night programme brings a choice of four options, one of which is suited to under 12s and includes 6 hours of dressage lessons. Older guests can select 10 hours of dressage tuition, 9 hours tuition and 2 hours of hacking or alternatively, a combination of 10 dressage lessons, including 1 private lesson for correcting seat and position, 6 theory lessons, 3 massages and personal training. Further lessons can be booked at an extra cost, as can theory lessons and massages. Guests are invited to groom, tack up and wash down their own horse but this is not a necessity. Riding lessons here are either private or with a maximum of 4 riders and are given by Marc himself or other qualified and talented instructors. You will ride a stunning Lusitano horse and can choose between a beginners' lesson, medium level or Haute École level, depending on your ability. This destination is particularly well suited to medium level riders who are looking to improve and correct their riding on a sensitive horse. Accompanied hacks are taken into the countryside if that is part of your chosen programme or if you wish it as an extra. Marc is great fun and offers wonderful but firm tuition and guests are expected to focus during their lessons to gain the best out of them. The host is also happy to offer training tips and suggestions which can be carried over to guests' own horses. In their free time guests can relax by the swimming pool, enjoy a relaxing massage or perhaps take a stroll around the property, basking in the sunshine and taking in the beautiful countryside. There are also a variety of interesting places nearby should guests wish to go on adventure.
Minimum group size:	1
Maximum group size:	4
Ability description:	Basic (Beginner) to Haute École dressage level. Guests should be willing to learn and take criticism to gain the best from this super tuition.
Type of ride:	Based tuition and hacks
Total riding time:	6 - 11 hours per week, depending on chosen option. Extra riding can be arranged at an added cost.
Departure dates:	All year round, Saturday to Saturday. Short stays can sometimes be arranged but must fit inside the Sat - Sat schedule (ie. not blocking off two weeks).
Pricing:	See Pricing

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