North Portugal Dressage & Wine Estate

Horses & Riding

Tack

The horses are ridden in good quality English style tack with dressage saddles used during dressage lessons. Riders have the option to ride in either a snaffle or double bridle according to preference and level of training. The horses are ridden in simple snaffles or traditional double bit (a weymouth and bridoon).

Horses

The horses are predominant Lusitano, with one Warmblood and one Friesian. They are well schooled and vary in age from youngsters just starting out their training to older, calm natured school horses well suited to less experienced of nervous riders. Three of the school horses are trained to Grand Prix level.

The horses receive turn out each day, either on their own or with a companion to ensure their wellbeing.

Riding

There are 2 itineraries:

• Dressage Programme is a based ride
• Intensive Dressage Programme is a based ride

Ages

10+ for riding. Children should be comfortable riding a well mannered horse as there are no ponies available.

Health

General good health recommended.

Weight

100kg / 220lbs / 15st 10lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

During your stay at the hotel you will be able to enjoy a variety of delicious fresh cooked dishes which incorporate many ingredients grown of produced on the farm. For this reason dishes served in the restaurant are often seasonal, taking advantage of fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are available at different times of the year.

Enjoy tasty olive oils made from olives harvested in the olive groves, or a variety of tasty sheep cheeses made using milk form the flock which graze between the vineyards and, of course, a wide range of wines distilled in the winery on-site.

Breakfast will consist of a selection of cheeses, breads, cakes and jams (also made from the fruit from the orchards), as well as fresh fruit, homemade yogurt and eggs cooked to your preference.

Lunches and dinners will be 3 courses including a starter, main and desert and can be accompanied by your choice of wines.

Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.

Accommodation

The hotel was opened in 2012 and features several beautifully appointed double/twin rooms, suites and master suites for a truly comfortable stay. All guest rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, TVs, Wifi access, hairdryers, safes and a mini fridge, as well as balconies or patios from which to enjoy the views of the wine estate and the surrounding Serra da Estrela national park.

Please note: The hotel is pet friendly and welcomes guest's own pets. There are also two friendly resident cats who are often found in the reception area of the hotel (they are not permitted in guest bedrooms or the restaurant). The farm also runs a dog shelter and there are 94 resident dogs on the property of varying breeds and size. The dogs are mostly kept in enclosed areas away from guests, although you may encounter friendly dogs around the stable yard.

Itineraries

Dressage Programme Standard accommodation.

Intensive Dressage Programme Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

As well as the riding, during your time at the hotel you might like to take advantage of some of the other activities offered here. These include;

- Wine tasting
- Cheese tasting
- Shepherd experience (herding and milking; seasonal)
- fruit harvest (seasonal)
- carriage rides
- swimming pool (seasonal)
- massages

The local area also offers a variety of interesting sights, including several ancient monasteries and castles as well as museums and, of course, the Serra da Estrela national park itself. Just a few minutes drive away you will find the start of many popular hiking routes with varying levels of difficulty to choose from. Route maps can be provided for you at the hotel and a picnic lunch is available with prior arrangements.

Travel

Porto in the north of Portugal, is the closest international airport to the hotel, with a journey of around 2 hours each way.

We are able to organise airport transfers for guests through a local taxi company at an extra cost, or you may prefer to hire a car and self drive. We can provide driving directions in this case and having access to your own transport means you are able to explore this amazing region independently when not riding.

Due to the remote nature of the hotel there are very few public transport options for guests to take. The nearest train station is Mangualde (about 20-25 minutes by taxi from the hotel) and this is reachable from Porto by taking a connecting train in Coimbra.

Testimonials

Sandra W., Oct. 31, 2024

Excellent - the venue, hotel, horses, training, staff and food and wine. Favourite memory? The lovely horses and training in friendly, supportive atmosphere. Lovely staff in hotel and stables. Everything was more than I had hoped for. Obedient, well trained horses. Comfortable, well maintained tack. Nuno was fabulous! Never made me feel silly. Gave constructive feedback in a professional way. I knew when I was doing it right and wrong and what to do to improve.

Tamasine T., Oct. 1, 2024

Perfect! Favourite memory? So many! Pirouettes, half pass, changes galore. Favourite moment was probably being trusted to ride a very special young horse. The riding was better than we had realised it would be - top horses.