Classical Riding Tour Itinerary
Below is the itinerary and extras. As we are now working with smaller groups we try to cater for each person individually, and most requests or extras can be incorporated.
Price includes breakfast daily and beautiful accommodation next to the sea in the heart of Cascais/Estoril, plus the groups own private vans with local host drivers (excellent English) to transport the group to and from each activity.
Private classical riding lessons, one or two people will be picked up before the daily activities to be taken to have a ride on a well trained horse with one of Portugal leading rider/trainers. Four private lessons are included in the price.
Our objective is for people to feel what it is like to ride a horse that has been trained by a top rider. Often people go off on riding holidays only to ride a horse everyday that is a school horse that cant possibly give the experience of a well trained horse. Our aim is to allow people to see and be immersed in top level training, from the classical beginnings of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, to top competition level with trainers like Miguel Ralão and Pedro Torres, and a look at the Worlds Working Equitation Champion Gilberto Filipe.
Note:
The below itinerary serves as an example, each Tour it is subject to changes depending on seasons and availability.
Arrival at Lisbon Airport.
Flights are not included.
Every morning at 8:45 AM one group member to be picked up for a private lesson with one of the trainers from our list of top classical trainers. 9:00 AM lesson start. Four private lessons included in the price, not counting the Working Equitation lesson with the world champion or the beach ride.
Group to be picked up at 9:30 AM from hotel each morning, with a few exceptions, then to stable to pick up rider at 9:45 AM and continue on to day activities.
Day 1
Arrival at Lisbon airport.
Step off the plane to be greeted by one of our tour hosts. The hosts of the Warneyswhip tour are all English speaking Portuguese locals. We find this is the best way to get the local experience but also with the ease of communication you would expect on a top rated tour.
They will meet you and escort you back to your hotel where they will check you in and make sure your bags make their way safely to your room. Now you can settle in and enjoy the sea breeze from your four star accomodation 50 metres from the beach front.
Day 2
Wake up refreshed and enjoy a delicious continental buffet breakfast with a touch of Portuguese style and some fresh Portuguese tarts as you prepare for your day ahead.
At 8am you will be picked up by our team host and driven to the beautiful stud farm of the head of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. There you will be taken on a guided tour around the stud farm, where you will discuss breeding lines and conformation with one of the most highly respected breeders in Portugal.
A student of the great masters; Nuno de Oliveira, João Trigueiros de Aragão, Diogo de Lafões and Dr. Guilherme Borba, João Pedro Rodrigues joined the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in 1980, one year after it was foundered. He then went on to complete an internship at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria in 1983. An international judge for APSL, Joao Pedro has been Master-Chief Rider of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art since 2012.
A Lusitano horse breeder for over 30 years, João Pedro’s stud farm Coudelaria João Pedro Rodrigues | Jprlusitanos ,was recognised as the best Lusitano breeder on the FIPSL, and is the breeder with the most “Champion of Champions” titles in the last 40 years at the Golegã Lusitano festival.
After completing a tour of the stud farm you will have a lesson with the master himself, or the masters International Grand Prix riding student.
Once your lessons are completed you will be driven to another Lusitano stud farm nearby for a lunch at the on farm restaurant, where you will sample a range of local food and wine amongst the Lusitanos.
After lunch you will head to the tack shop ‘Mundo de Equitacao’ to do some horse related shopping and explore some of the traditional Portuguese riding wear and tack.
Then it’s back to the hotel to rest before a dinner by the sea as you explore the beautiful town of Estoril/Cascais.
Day 3
7am Wake up to enjoy another delicious breakfast and get ready for your 8am pick up. Today you will head to the riding centre of the Vice chief of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art Francisco Bessa de Carvalho.
Founding the stud farm Lusitanos d'Atela in 1989, Francisco’s passion for horses began early on, beginning his riding career at the Picadeiro do Lumiar in Lisbon, where he met his first master, Luis Valença. In 1984, he joined the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE) and today is the Vice-Chief rider. In 1992, he assumed the duties of Riding Instructor and Director of the Quinta da Fonte Santa Centre, where he continues today.
Once you have marveled at the beautiful tiled riding centre with the classical masters displayed across the walls, you will each have a private lesson with the vice chief of the school.
Once completing your lessons you will be taken into lisbon for a lunch to get inspired, as after you spend some free time exploring the Lisbon city centre, you will be taken to a 3-hour Portuguese cooking class that finishes in a three course meal for the group. The class will cover the foundations of Portuguese cuisine and introduce some of the history of Portuguese food and it’s culture.
At the completion of your delicious dinner you will be driven back to your hotel to get some much needed rest from all that riding and cooking!
Day 4
7am Wake up to enjoy your continental breakfast and be ready to leave with your host at 8am. Set off towards the city of Lisbon where you will arrive at Belem, on the river Tejo. This historic centre is known for it’s monument the “tower of Belem”, build in 1514 with the intention of defending the city of Lisbon.
It’s here in Belem that you will be greeted by a rider of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arte who will accompany you around the school while the morning training of the horses is taking place.
From there you will head to lunch nearby at another very traditional Portuguese restaurant with the rider of the school to discuss the history of the school and it’s teachings.
After lunch your host will drive you into the lisbon city centre where you will have free time to explore the city before being be driven back along the lisbon coast to your hotel, to rest for the next days adventures.
Day 5
7am Another early start to finish your breakfast for a 7:30am pick up, this time heading to the Royal stud of Alter Real. Here you will take a tour of the stud farm, see the mares coming in from the field, and top it all off with a trail ride around the stud farm on the Alter Real horses.
You will also enjoy lunch at the beautiful Alter Real restaurant, which truly is a great way to relax and enjoy this beautiful property.
In 1726 King João V ordered the construction of the Royal Stables of Belém, transforming a baroque riding arena from one of three farms he had acquired in the area into a Royal Riding Arena. With the work completed, the monarch, encouraged by the queen, Dona Maria Ana of Austria also a lover of horses and equestrian practice that was very much in vogue in all the courts of the time, as was the case of hers, in Vienna of Austria -, realised the need to provide Portugal with the best saddle horses of national production, suitable for the practice of the High School.
With this real desire in mind, the Royal Stud Farm of Alter was founded in 1748.
The place chosen to host this project was the Coutada do Arneiro, on a property of about 800 hectares.
Between 1749 and 1770, a herd was formed here, the primitive nucleus of which was composed of mares of andalusian origin, most of them with brown coats.
Despite being driven by King João V, it was his son, D. José I, who was responsible for the installation and structuring of what is still today the most remarkable Portuguese Stud Farm.
At the end of this magical day you will be driven back through the Alentejo countryside, seeing a lot of the Portuguese landscape as you make your way back to the hotel.
Day 6
7am Early wake up and breakfast as today we are off to the riding centre of back to back Working Equitation World Champion Gilberto Filipe. Even if you are dressage focused, Gilberto’s riding and training is something special and his horses are a joy to ride. Have fun in a lesson with the Champion over the obstacles and learn a new skill or develop further your love of Working Equitation.
After your lesson with Gilberto you will head back to have lunch with the team at the restaurant “5Sentidos” in Cascais. A very popular restaurant amoung the locals and a great place to meet the team host family.
After lunch the guide will take you for drive over to the historic town of Sintra, where you will have some free time exploring the cafes and little street shops.
Once you have explored this picturesque town your host will take you back around the lisbon coast, via the Western most point of Europe “Cabo de Roca”, and then back to your hotel.
Day 7
7am wake up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast and prepare for a food and wine day exploring the magnificent coast of Arrábida! This beautiful stretch of coastline about one hour from Lisbon is the perfect spot to take in the views, while sampling some of Portugal’s best food and wine.
On this day tour you will attend a cheese making workshop, sample fresh local oysters and sparkling wine, try a range of tasting plates, wines, and traditional desserts, among other things.
Day 8
7am breakfast and get ready as it’s back to the riding today as the group heads back to the stable of the master João Pedro Rodrigues.
Here you will have a second private lesson with João Pedro or his Grand Prix student Sebastian.
Once the lessons are complete the group will head to lunch at restaurant Chico do Porto to sample some of the local meat dishes before heading across the road to the biggest tack shop in Portugal “Mundo de Equitação” for some well deserved tack shopping! The shop is full of interesting modern and traditional riding gear for both horse and rider.
After some shopping your host will take you back to the hotel via a stopover in Cascais to sample “Santinis” ice cream, an extremely popular Cascais signature shop that opened in 1949 and has been in the family ever since.
Day 9
7am wake up ready for your final day of adventures in Portugal with another private lesson at the riding centre of Portuguese dressage coach and international Grand Prix rider Filipe Canelas.
Filipe has a wealth of knowledge of dressage competition and offers riders a chance to see another part of Portugal.
Today lunch will be brought back by the tour host so everyone can watch each others lessons and have time to relax in the viewing room.
At the end of the lessons your guide will drive you back to your hotel for you to farewell your lovely
surroundings and pack ready for your flight the next day.
Day 10
Private van will take you to Lisbon Airport at the needed time.
Its the end of the Classical Riding Tour, we know it has been an amazing time and hope to see you again !
Have a nice flight back home full of great memories.
Extras
Includes 4 star accommodation by the sea, all private airport and activity transfers with own private guide, 4 private lessons with Portugals best instructors including a lesson over the obstacles with the World Champion, Visit to the royal stud farm and trail ride around the stud on Alter Real horses, Portuguese cooking class, food and wine tour along the coast of Arrábida, visit to Lisbon and Sintra to explore the history and culture of these cities, a range of traditional lunches, and continental breakfast daily.
Note - Non riding partners includes everything listed except the private riding lessons.
Additional extras
Extra lesson- We will fit the extra lessons around the tour itinerary and you will be pick up and taken to the lesson and then dropped back at the hotel or to meet the group.
5 night stay in Golegã (one or two people only added before or after the tour)
Stay at the beautiful Lusitanus hotel in the heart of the horse capital of Portugal where you will be picked up everyday and taken to riding and in hand lessons with International Grand Prix rider and trainer Jeanette Jenny, at their riding centre just 10 minutes from Golegã centre.
2 night stay at a beautiful Alentejo winery/horse property ‘Malhadinha’
This stay offers a range of great activities such as a winery tour on horseback, balloon ride, BTT mountain biking, paintball, karts, moto 4, and picnics.
