Alentejo Dressage & Countryside

If you’re looking for an authentic Portuguese riding holiday with excellent riding on Lusitano horses and stunning architectural accommodation in great surroundings, look no further! This stud farm in the Alentejo region will blow you away.

Best period

Year-round

Price

From € 600 (3 nights, standard room)

Ideal length

3 - 6 nights

Interested?

Get in touch

Highlights

Immerse yourself in the rich Portuguese equestrian culture at an award-winning stud farm.
Improve your dressage skills on incredibly well-trained Lusitano horses.
Take a trail ride through the wonderful Alentejo countryside.
Enjoy stunning architectural accommodation and a pool with a view.

Quick facts

At a glance

A stay at this authentic family-run Lusitano stud farm is a must-do for anyone wishing to experience world class dressage instruction with a dash of trail riding in stunning surroundings. The stud farm runs a very successful breeding and dressage competition program and is internationally recognised as one of the best breeders of the Lusitano horse. In 2021 their homebred bay stallion Equador MVL and his rider João Torrão represented Portugal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where they reached the Team final with the Portuguese team. Having the opportunity to learn more about the breeding and dressage competition programme during your stay is a real privilege.

The stud farm can cater for every riding level and has five different riding programmes available for the guests. These programmes consist either of dressage lessons, trail rides in the countryside or a mix of both. The dressage lessons are semi-private with a maximum of two people and given by a member of the experienced instructor’s team. The horses are well-schooled Lusitanos, primarily homebred, which are well suited to dressage due to their gentle character and elevated movement.

The trail rides last 1,5 hour each and navigate through extraordinary surroundings. You can ride for several hours without ever crossing paved roads, going through various lakes and experiencing a typical Alentejos landscape, with its cork and holm trees and the various herds of cattle. Depending on the programme that you choose, you will ride once or twice a day.

More information

The property has exquisitely designed accommodation available for the guests, that blends with the surrounding countryside. Each room opens to a furnished balcony with an amazing view to the dam inserted in a piece of the typical landscape of Alentejo. Similarly, the cuisine comprises of typical Alentejo ingredients.

The property is also very appealing for non-riders. Guests can spend their days relaxing by the rooftop pool with panoramic views, work out in the gym, go on a picnic, take a bike ride or go fishing or canoeing on the lake. There is also a spa, where guests can enjoy the jacuzzi, a sauna or have a relaxing massage. Those who appreciate some sightseeing can explore the city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is only 30 km away and well worth a visit.

What do others say?

Last week, I went to Monte Velho in Portugal with Outside the Corral. Simply great! Laure-Anne guided us well from the beginning and gave clear answers to all our questions. Even when she was at the airport herself, she helped us with our cancelled flight. Thanks again Laure-Anne!
We went to Portugal and what a super cool trip it was! Very sweet people, beautiful surroundings and well cared for well behaved horses. Laure-Anne made sure that everything was well organized. Very nice to go on a trip like that and nice that she checks how it was afterwards. Highly recommended for every horse lover!
Marjolein Van Zundert
Wow wow wow! I have no more words to say how fantastic I thought my trip in Portugal was: the location, the horses, the group, the instructors, the rooms, the food, the rides. Wow! Also very satisfied with the preparation of the trip: clear emails, being able to let all control go, good communication. I'm already thinking about another riding holiday with Outside the Corral!
Very nice experience! Laure-Anne makes all the time for you, discusses your wishes and then gives options that suit you. As a result, the trip suits the person booking it. But also afterwards, Laure-Anne is easy to reach for questions and thinks along with you. For example, my flight got changed and she immediately thought about how to solve the transfer. Also the personal aspect, with a message before your trip, but also checking in afterwards to see how your trip went. Makes it a nice and personal travel agency. And because she only offers riding holidays and visits them herself, she knows what she is selling. Laure-Anne, thanks again for the service and the fantastic trip I made thanks to you. I will definitely book here more often!

Ready to discover the horse riding holiday of your dreams?