This riding school offers dressage and Portuguese riding courses. The equestrian center has superb Lusitanian and crossbred horses. Whatever your level of riding, you will be able to develop your skills in dressage and Portuguese riding.
- Lessons in small groups of 1 to 4
- Excellent value
- English speaking instructor
- Ride a pure or crossbred Lusitanian horse
38.919539481048, -9.2893917
For more than 30 years, this riding school has offered dressage and Portuguese riding courses. The equestrian center has superb Lusitano and crossbred horses. The school horses are trained to a high standard and will allow you to experience piaffe and passage, as well as Portuguese working riding. You can choose 1 or 2 lessons per day. 2 lessons per day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon, between lessons you have time to relax by the pool, or enjoy a quiet moment around the horses. 1 lesson per day: morning or afternoon, giving you time to discover and appreciate the surrounding Portuguese nature and culture. A trip to Lisbon or the beach only takes 30 minutes ! The equestrian center is located 25km northwest of Lisbon and 5km from the Mafra Palace. Being close to the coast ensures a pleasant temperature all year round, so that even in July and August it is never too hot.
SEE ALL OUR EQUESTRIAN OFFER IN PORTUGAL :
HORSE RIDING HOLIDAY IN PORTUGAL
INDICATIVE PROGRAM*
Sunday: Arrival in the evening before dinner. Dinner from 8 p.m.
Monday to Saturday: Breakfast between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. You can choose to have one lesson per day in the morning or in the afternoon , or two lessons per day (morning and afternoon): about 1 hour lessons.
1 lesson per day: 5 group lessons + 1 private lesson
2 lessons per day: 10 group lessons + 2 private lessons
Before or during your first lesson you will have the opportunity to discuss with your instructor and take stock of your level and your expectations. You are invited, if you wish, to prepare your horse to familiarize yourself with it. Every evening: dinner from 8 p.m.
Sunday: Departure after breakfast. Optional transfer to Lisbon.
MEETING:
Sunday late afternoon, directly at the equestrian center or at Lisbon airport: optional transfer.
DEPARTURE:
Sunday after breakfast. Optional transfer to Lisbon.
2024 LISBON TRANSFERS:
Lisbon airport *: 135 € per car (maximum 3) and per transfer = 270 € round trip.
Lisbon center *: 160 € per car (maximum 3) and per transfer = 320 € round trip.
* To be reserved and paid with your registration.
2025 LISBON TRANSFERS:
Lisbon airport transfers*: 170 € per car (maximum 3) and per transfer = 340 € round trip.
Lisbon center transfers *: 135 € per car (maximum 3) and per transfer = 270 € round trip.
CAR RENTAL:
We recommend a car rental, mostly if you book 1 lesson per day to visit the area, which is particularly cheap in Portugal, on: www.autoeurope.fr.
FLIGHTS:
Flights to Portugal are not included in our prices because it is generally more interesting to book your flights yourself, an inclusive flights package is generally more expensive with the agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best rates or to offer you a transport trip included on request: free service.
RIDING LEVEL: 
Riders must be balanced and independent at walk, trot and canter, and it is an advantage to know the basic lateral movements such as shoulder-in and half-pass. Although the school horses are all very well trained, calm and safe, it is mandatory to wear a helmet. Maximum weight: 90 kg.
GROUPS:
Following an assessment, riders are divided into groups of 1-4 according to their riding ability and experience, in order to ensure every student receives proper individual attention from the instructor.
LESSONS:
The lessons take as long as the rider needs to achieve the particular goal for the lesson. In general, the lessons are about 90 minutes long. Riders are welcome to assist in grooming, tacking up and untacking the horses although there are grooms to prepare and assist if you are unfamiliar with the process.
INSTRUCTORS:
Three exceptional, talented and experienced instructors, all passionate about helping riders discover and learn the magnificent art of classical dressage and working equitation.
- Mario specializes in young horses training, in addition to being a regional champion in working ride. An accomplished dressage rider, Mario has worked and trained with Bruno Carrilho (owner of Lusitano Sport Horse Stud Quinta dos Cedros), Miguel Ralão (dressage rider, Olympic), João Moreira, José João Dinis, Dressage More than Vasco Freire (one of the most important stud farms in Lusitano sport at the moment), as well as competing alongside Miguel Fonseca (several times world champion working horse) throughout Portugal.
The instructors speak Portuguese, Spanish, English, French (on request).
HORSES:
The equestrian center has beautiful pure and crossbred Lusitanian horses.
TACK:
Dressage saddles.
ACCOMMODATION: 
A traditional hillside quinta, Portuguese country estate, complete with stables, outdoor and indoor arenas, as well as a former bullfighting arena. Comfortable bedrooms for 2 persons. Single bedrooms with supplement.
The bedrooms are close to the equestrian center: a short walk takes you from your bedroom to the stables, riding arenas, and dining room which overlooks the indoor arena. The equestrian center offers three twin rooms and two double rooms with private bathrooms. There are three more bedrooms just across the road. The bedrooms are simply decorated, clean and comfortable. There is also a bar and a large, unheated, outdoor swimming pool.
MEALS:
Taken every day at the equestrian center in a room with a view of the indoor arena.
2025 PRICES / PER PERSON:
Low season (02/01 - 15/02, 10/06 - 31/07 & 15/11 - 31/12)
1 lesson per day (6 lessons): 1413 € / person in a 2 person bedroom
2 lessons per day (12 lessons): 1818 € / person in a 2 person bedroom
High season (other dates)
1 lesson per day (6 lessons): 1570 € / person in a 2 person bedroom
2 lessons per day (12 lessons): 2020 € / person in a 2 person bedroom
All the year:
Non rider with a rider: on request
Single bedroom supplement *: 50 € / night
Lisbon airport transfers*: 170 € per car (maximum 3) and per transfer = 340 € round trip.
Lisbon center transfers *: 135 € per car (maximum 3) and per transfer = 270 € round trip.
Booking fees: 15 € / person
* To be booked and paid with your registration.
PRICES INCLUDE:
For riders: rental of the equipped horse, instructor, 1 or 2 lessons per day depending on your choice. For riders and non riders: accommodation, meals, financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator guarantee.
PRICES DON'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks (only wine is included during meals), any tours, tips, transfers from/to Lisbon airport, travel to and from Lisbon, everything that is not indicated in "PRICES INCLUDE".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices - See information
FLIGHTS:
Flights to Portugal are not included because it is more interesting to book your ticket, a transport package included is sometimes more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices (free service) or offer you a transport trip included on request.
Duration is flexible (3 nights minimum) and you can have 1 or 2 lessons per day. No lesssons on Sundays.
Prices "from" and dates shown below are for 6 nights Sunday evening to Sunday morning & 1 lesson per day.
Ask us for availability and price precising:
- The evening arrival date & the morning departure date
- The number of lessons per day (1 lesson or 2 lessons)
- The type of accommodation (shared bedroom or single)
- If you need transfers from / to Lisbon airport or center
Great stay with excellent dressage horses. The teachers: brilliant, the facility: perfect. Accommodation and housing: at the top. I recommend ! Different horses are ridden there, each with their own qualities. And Cap Rando services: perfect !
J'ai reçu un accueil extraordinaire !! Ils ont été aux petits soins pour moi ( repas , chambre,..) dès mon arrivée et qui vivait le décalage horaire ( Canada) . Une cuisinière hors pair et l'entretien des chambres est impeccable. J'ai eu droit à un gâteau personnalisé et du mousseux pour ma fête !! Aussi ils ont été rapides et efficaces pour me permettre de gérer le taxi, le test COVID.. WOAW!!
The instructors Mario and Sergio are super competent and adapted to my hearing problem and my level of riding. I had an extraordinary internship!! The place is beautiful and so are the horses (beautiful foals for sale hehehe). I improved my horsemanship and did therapy just looking at the mountains.
Safety management: Nothing to say !! they ensured the saddle of my horse because I am of small size and they were vigilant in any handling error.
Cavalry and tack: A great horse ! he was very cooperative and I progressed with him. Comfortable saddle also for having spent many hours in it without having any discomfort! Equipment adjusted to the horse and the type of rider.
An unforgettable experience !!
Thank you to Mr Simonot for having always answered me adequately and quickly when preparing my trip. It was complicated from then Quebec and everything went well.
Photo sent by Sabrina:
Welcome, family atmosphere, international trainees !
Georges and Sergio are great instructors ! A majority of private lessons during my week.
With the pandemic, school horses have unfortunately been sold. There are about twenty owner horses (Portuguese and mostly international). I rode Caramello and Girasol (stallion), two Lusitanians, very good schoolmasters. Caramello is quite delicate especially for canter starts. Once at work, it is great but you have to know how to find the "buttons"
Good condition of the material. Sticks and spurs available. Bring your helmet and your boots/chaps. Clean stable. Dedicated grooming room.
Lena is an excellent cook: meat for lunch (+ fruit), fish for dinner (+ soup + Portuguese dessert) ! Crudités as a starter with all meals. Breakfast: bread, salted butter, jams, honey, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, cereals, tea/coffee/hot milk, orange juice. The rooms are comfortable. Every day, the cleaning lady comes to clean your room and clean the floor. She can also wash your belongings (laundry basket available in the bathroom).
Very pleasant school to perfect your dressage and meet international trainees ! Family atmosphere. The instructors are demanding and adapt to all riders, perfect for progressing! I had the great chance to work with Georges, a student of the great Master Nuno Oliveira! The horses are all kind and good school teachers. I was able to review all the low dressage school and also make changes of feet, a little pawing and passage ! Superb feelings !
The meals are hearty and delicious (full board), all the members of the staff are very attentive (laundry possible on site). Tips appreciated at the end of the course.
Only downside: damp rooms in winter (bring warm things to sleep in winter).
Ideal location for visiting the surroundings (provided you only ride once a day): Ericeira, Mafra, Sintra... Superb saddlery/saddler's workshop with all the riding equipment 6 minutes by car in Malveira (Correaria do West), to see ! Feira de Golegã (capital of the horse): every year, at the beginning of November, at 1h30 from the school, an experience to live absolutely!!! (largest fair in Europe)