Portugal, Golega - Dressage or Showjumping

This training destination is just a little over 40 kilometers from Golegã, known for its annual horse festival, with hundreds of horses, riders in traditional clothes, plenty of wine, music & dance. A gem for all our dressage and showjumping loving riders.

A small equestrian center with horses and instructors of the highest class has opened its doors to us. The equestrian center is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Lisbon in the region of Santarém. Lusitanos are trained here up to Grand Prix movements and Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) that competing in jumping up to 115 cm.

You will live and eat well and you can relax at the pool between rides. Here you can develop your riding and have a good time.

If you can’t manage a full week, you can always take a long weekend.

Price from:

EUR 600

Days: 4

3 nights, 3 lessons, half board

10% discount!. Book now till year-end 2024 and enjoy your stay until the end of March 2025. Valid for new bookings from Nov. 22nd 2024.

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Guest Comments

"I had a fantastic time! Filipa was very welcoming, helpful, and went out of her way to make sure everything was great! She's a very patient coach, and I now feel like a much better rider because of her. Their horses are beautiful and they have one for every need; you can easily see that they take really good care of them. The housing was also very pleasant, and the staff always welcome you with a smile. I have no bad comments to make about this place, and I would definitely recommend it without any hesitation. Thank you!"

Yasmina, UK

"Delicious fish with tasty side dishes. Great horses, great instructor. When we were there in the middle of the scorching July, we had to adapt the riding, which I think everyone understands. But we got value for money as we wanted to train and the horses were good. We were extremely well cared for. Very familiar and pleasent."

Gudrun Svedberg

"Skilled, dedicated and enthusiastic instructors and nice well-trained horses. Super nice and personal place, we felt extremely pampered all the time. Glad to be able to mix dressage and jumping (and trail)."

Helene Murdoch Edman

Travel Information

Ability description: Dressage level 1-5, Showjumping level 1-5>>

Included: 6 or 3 nights, riding described in program, half board incl. wine. If you want to see full board price, click on "book on request".

Not included: Flight, transfer, drinks except wine.

Group discount: If you are a group of 6, you will each receive 15% discount.

Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
Flight: To Lisbon.

Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot.
From Lisbon airport about 1,5 hours (140 km).
Price: 250 EUR for a big car (up to 5 people) and 185 EUR for a standard car (up to 3 people) one way.

Train: From Lisbon Oriente to Abrantes, when arriving a short taxi ride (7-10 EUR) to the riding center. Tickets can be purchased from an automatic kiosk at the station. You can see train timetable at www.cp.pt

Car: It is cheap to rent a car in Portugal, so if you would like to have a look around between lessons we recommend a rental car.

Arrival and departure times:
Weekly program - arrival Sundays afternoon/evening, departure following Saturday after breakfast.
Weekends - arrival Thursdays about 3.00 pm for the first lesson, departure Sunday after breakfast. If you arrive on Thursday evening you can have the last lesson Sunday morning instead.

Optional arrival/departure: You can choose another arrival and departure day, just mail us on info@horsexplore.com

Season: All year.

Single room: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices. If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will be added.

Other activities: For families where everybody doesn't ride there is also special bike trails, a great golf course at Obidos in the dunes along the beach, 100 km away from the riding center. Rowing and cannoeing is also possible nearby.

Currency: Euro
Credit card: Accepted at riding center.
Tipping: Not required but appreciated.

Wifi: Yes
Electricity jack: EU standard

Age limit: No

Closest village: You live in small village, 7 km away from an old village with a lot of history, shopping, restaurants and sight seeing. The oldest Lusitanos breeding public insitution Alter Real is 60 km away and is also worth visiting.
Beach: About 1 h away by car but also a big lake 14 km away where you can do water sports or boat tripping.
Pool: Yes, open May-October.

Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmet
Saddle bag available: No
Special diet: Inform when booking.

Program

You can choose from dressage, show jumping lessons (á 50-60 minutes) and an all-round program of both disciplines. If you like, you can replace some lessons for 1-hour hacks in the surroundings. There are two outdoor arenas and also a covered arena 20x50 meters with fiber sand.

Week Program: Arrive Sunday afternoon / evening and depart Saturday after breakfast.
Training week, intensiv: 10 lessons
Training week, basic: 5 lessons
You choose which discipline you want to ride under Date & Prices below - Book on request

Weekend Program: Arrival Thursday, latest 3.00pm, for the first lesson. Depart, Sunday after breakfast. If you arrive in the evening during Thursday you can ride the last lesson on Sunday morning instead.
Training weekend, intensiv: 5 lessons
Training weekend, basic: 3 lessons
You choose which discipline you want to ride under Date & Prices below - Book on request

Based on your previous experience, we will determine which horse and trainer is best for you. Your stay begins with an evaluation lesson where you get a chance to feel whether you like your horse.

You can always replace a training session with a hack. If you want to ride more hours, you can also book on site.

1. Dressage. Your training will be based after your prior knowledge and preferences. Normally, you train seat and grounds and detachment movements such as shoulder in, travers, leg yielding, etc. And depending on how it goes, it is possible to practice more advanced moves such as pirouettes and flying changes. Teaching is 2 people per lesson.

2. Jumping. Your training will be based after your prior knowledge and preferences. There will be flatwork with low jumps and the level of difficulty will be increased gradually with more obstacles, changed distances and series. To finish up, you will jump a course at the appropriate height. The group may be up to 4 riders.

3. All-round. If you want to practise both dressage and jumping select this program.

You choose which discipline you want to ride under Date & Prices below - Book on request

Accommodation and Food

The accommodation is also of excellent standard in comfortable double or single rooms about 200 meters (650 ft) from the riding center. Single: It is possible to book a single room (price for single supplement is available under Dates & Prices). If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will be added.

Safe deposit box: No
A/C: Yes
Hair Dryer: Yes
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: Yes

Between rides you will be served good meals in the guesthouse. The price is for half board so you can choose if you want to eat lunch or dinner. If you choose dinner, you can buy lunch on site or vice versa.

The food is portuguese homecooking so you will leave the table satisfied. The dinner begins with an appetizer in the form of soup or salad, followed by a fish or meat dish and finally you will be offered a good dessert. It includes wine with dinner (about 1 Bottle for every four people). Other beverages can be ordered and paid for on the spot.

If you choose half board there are 2 restaurants at a walking distance in the village. One called Pegacha is very traditional with grilled meat and fish, Portuguese dishes with cod, octopus, etc, and a wide range of regional sweets. The other one called Tulipa is a bit more sophisticated, also with traditional Portuguese food and nice seafood. Then, in the nearest town called Abrantes, 10 minutes away by car, you have at least 4 very good restaurants to choose from.

Between rides it is lovely to take a refreshing dip in the pool.

There is free WiFi in the accommodation.

Horses

There are approximate 15 horses. 8 are dressage horses (7 pure Lusitanos) and 5 are dutch warmbloods (KWPN) for jumping. There are also 2 horses suitable for children.

Minimum number of riders is 1 and maximum 6 for the dressage and showjumping program and 8 for the allround program.

Climate

Daytime temperature is around about 20 + C (68 F) in spring and autumn, about 15-20 + C (60-68 F) in winter and 25-30 + C (77-86 F) in the summer. During winter, it is cold evenings and at night so it's good to bring some warmer clothes.

Christmas and New Year

You are welcome to this small and very hospitable farm both during christmas and new year, they offer high class dressage and show jumping training. Good food and drinks will make this both an active and cozy holiday. You can choose between week and weekend.

You can buy an exklusive christmas- or new years eve dinner for 75 EUR/person.

If you are a big group or family you can be considered to get taylormade program.

Feedback from our travellers

Read guest reviews (pdf)>>

Dates and prices

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"Book on request" means that we cannot confirm your booking immediately, but we will get back to you as soon as possible with a booking confirmation, normally within 24 hours on weekdays.

Date	Days	Name of trip	Price from
18/12/2025	4	Portugal, Golega - Training Weekend, Intensive You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 775	Book on request
21/12/2025	7	Portugal, Golega - Training week, bas You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 1,180	Book on request
21/12/2025	7	Portugal, Golega - Training week, Intensive You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 1,620	Book on request
25/12/2025	4	Portugal, Golega - Training Weekend, bas You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 675	Book on request
25/12/2025	4	Portugal, Golega - Training Weekend, Intensive You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 850	Book on request
28/12/2025	7	Portugal, Golega - Training week, bas You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 1,180	Book on request
28/12/2025	7	Portugal, Golega - Training week, Intensive You choose discipline under Book on request	EUR 1,620	Book on request