Finally! After many years of searching we are thrilled to be able to offer dressage on Friesian stallions. The fact that they are situated in a beautiful environment with great chances for sun, delicious local food and wine makes this trip even more amazing. This is a unique and exclusive opportunity where you both get to practice dressage and enjoy an unforgettable canter along the Spanish coastline at sunrise. Some of the programs also include yoga sessions tailored for horseback riders.

At the edge of Amposta, surrounded by the sea, the mountains, olive trees and organge groves, Oriol who practically was born on horseback has together with his brother established a lovely stud farm of Friesian horses. They are now the leading importers of Friesian horses to Spain and are well-renowned in the Friesian world.

On site Matilda from Sweden will be your guide. She is passionate about horses and about giving all guests a wow-experience, by also giving the guests a glimpse of the Spain that she loves. Matilda will be around for your whole stay and she will be translating the dressage lessons to English (or Swedish).

Dressage on fairytale horses + beautiful location and personal guide + local delicious food = bucket list experience!

Accommodation & Food

You stay in a family-owned hotel right by the sea and about 5 minutes from the riding facility. There are about 30 rooms. All rooms have sea views. Single room at no extra cost.

The lunches usually consist of a hearty salad with local produce, bread and drink that you can enjoy as a picnic outside or at the hotel. Most dinners are served at the hotel and consist of classic Spanish dishes with a local touch. 3-course meal including wine with meals.

The hotel is within walking distance to the cozy village of St Carlos de La Rapita and about 30 meters to the beach.

Program Dressage & Beach ride on Friesian horses

Preliminary - day-by-day program

The riding lessons are fast-paced and offer a lot of trotting and canter. The riding instructor focuses on you getting to know the character of the Friesian horses and on finding the smile on the horse's back. You will also be helped to find a better and more conscious seat, through exercises on horseback and off. Some of the horses are young and good riding experience are desirable.

Day 1- Welcome to the beautiful Costa del Azahar! Restorative yoga around 4.00pm . You will meet with your guides Matilda and Sara who tells you what the day and weekend will look like. The first night is spent together with the other guests around the dinner table, you might even be able to pick up a few Spanish words!

Day 2- After a nourishing breakfast your being driven to the stables for lessons both before and after lunch. When you’re not riding yourself you can cuddle with the adorbable foals, take a walk in the beautiful surroundings or watch your fellow riders’ classes. You can’t get enough of these black Friesian beauties! Yoga either at lunch or after the last lesson of the day.

Day 3- The day will start with a dressage lesson and for those of you who have booked an extra lesson, there is the opportunity to do so this afternoon. When given the opportunity during the day, you get a suitable equestrian yoga.

Day 4 – After breakfast the day ends with the grande finale; a 1.5 hour beachride in the beautiful natural preserve of Delta del Ebro. You will have the Mediterranean ocean on either side and the horses enjoy the excursion just as much as the riders – pure magic! Lunch for those who have time (depends on flight) and Hasta luego!

Extras:
Option of one extra dressage lesson.
Massages and treatments (manicure/pedicure) wlll be offered at the Villa
Additional local wine can be purchased at €10 per bottle.

Horses

Welcome to ride on fairytale Friesian stallions! Quality is of the essence and all horses at the equestrian centre are approved purebred Friesian horses. There are only about 80 approved breeding stallions in the world, two of them are owned by Oriol who also owns the Equestrian centre we spend our time at.

The Friesian horse, always completely black, is a graceful but muscular horse that moves with pride and with the characteristic knee lift. Despite the features of coldblooded horses such as fetlocks they have tall legs and are light and supple. The long and thick mane and tail make them even more stunning! The Friesian horse has very gentle character which makes it very enjoyable to handle and to ride. At the centre there are about 80 horses, including breeding mares, youngsters and foals. About 15 of the centre’s stallions are used for the riding lessons.

Despite the high quality the horses are not used for dressage competitions but rather exposed at shows all over the world and Oriol has won many prizes for best in breed. The stud farm is immensely popular and they have clients all over the worls, even to the Friesian’s country of origin; the Netherlands. The last year people from for example USA, China and the Nordic countries have become lucky owners of horses from here. The horses are very ambitous and easy to train which makes them very well-schooled and pleasurable to ride. They combine a lot of energy with a stable and supple temper.

The horses are used to hack out on the beach and even though they are really enjoying the canter in the waterline it is easy to keep them in a controlled tempo as they are very well-behaved and pay full attention to their rider.
This weekend is about learning to know and riding these beautiful Friesian horses. The lessons are group lessons that focus on basic riding.
Many of the horses are young horses that have not yet been trained for the high school movements yet.

Travel Information

Ability description: Level Dressage 2-4

Included in the price:
Dressag & beach ride on friesian horses: 3 nights, 3 dressage lessons, 1 beach ride, full board (incl. wine with dinner). It is possible to buy 1 extra lesson (70 EUR)
Frieser horses & Yoga: 4 nights, 2 dressage lessons, 1 beach ride, 4 yoga sessions, full board (incl. wine with dinner). It is possible to buy 1 or 2 extra lessons (á 70 EUR)

Not included: Flights, transfer to/from the airport. Other activities and body treatments.

Travel: Fly to Barcelona (ca 170 km) or Valencia (ca 150 km)

Flight and bus:
From Barcelona airport (el Prat) you take the bus straight from the terminal to S.Carles Rapita or Les Cases de Alcanar (Cases d'Alcanar,Les) depending on accommodation. Tickets are easily purchased online at: hife.es/en-GB

• Time: about 2,5 hours
• Price: around 25 Euro

Flight and train:
From Barcelona airport (el Prat) you take the bus to Sants. From there, direct trains go to Vinaros, where you will be picked up and driven to your accommodation.
• Time: about 2,5 hours
• Prce: around 22 Euro

From Valencia Airport, take the metro or bus to the train station, Estacio Del Nord and take the train to Vinaros, where you will be picked up and driven to your accommodation.
• Time: about 2,0 hours
• Price: around 15-20 Euro

You find train times and tickets on Renfe.com>>

Taxi: You can also book a taxi transfer from the airports, price approx. 230 EUR / car /way.

Arrival:
Dressage & beach ride on friesian horses: Day 1, Arrival around 7.00 pm in time for a welcome dinner or before 4.00pm if you have booked one extra dressage lesson. Dag 4, departure Sunday after lunch around 2.00pm.
Friesian horses & Yoga: Day 1, Arrival around 7.00pm in time for a welcome dinner. Day 5, departure after breakfast.

Season: All year. Specific dates.

Single room: A limited number can be booked for with a supplement. For price click "Book on request" under Date & prices. If you are prepared to share a room, you do not have to pay extra if you are placed in a single room

Currency: Euro

Credit card: Not accepted. Cash only.

Tips: Optional but appreciated.

Wi-fi: Yes

Electricity jack: EU standard

Age limit: 13 years for rider.

Closest village: From the riding centre: San Carlos de la Rapita (5-7km) but villages that you also may visit: Las cases de alcanar and San Carlos de la Rapita.

Beach: Kilometers of fine beaches within 0-7 km.

Pool: Yes during season (May - September)

Group size: Minimum 5 riders max 8

Special diet: Inform when booking.

Misc: Riding equipment to borrow: Riding helmet is available to borrow, but we recommend that you bring your own.

Similar tours