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Spend a week or just a few days at the world renown
Escola de Equitação de Alcainça. Each day you will train with
professional trainers in dressage (from novice through introduction into
high school dressage). The town of Alcainça lies 25 miles northwest of
Lisbon, 4 miles from the famous cloister of Mafra, and 6 miles from the
Atlantic Coast. It is surrounded by wild pastures and small forests. The
Atlantic Ocean on the west coast helps assure a nice, even temperature
throughout the year so that even in July and August it never gets too
hot. Your gracious host, Salette Rodrigues, will make you feel right at
home.
The school's director, George Malleroni, studied with the legendary
Nuno Oliveira for the last 10 years
of the master's life. The instructors are some of the finest dressage
riders in the world, who can give lessons on any level. The riding
school provides 20 highly trained Lusitano stallions. The riding program
includes up to two 1.5 hour sessions per day - leaving very little time
for activities other than a dip in the pool or sun tanning between
lessons. The groups are small and divided according to riding level so
that every rider gets a lot of personal attention.
 PG-ACRA
2006 Rates includes 7 nights accommodations, all meals, English
speaking instructor. 6 riding days with
A: 2 sessions B: 1 session per day
(each session = 1
1/2 hours) |
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Program A |
Program B |
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$ 1,675
(based on € 1,3876 |
$ 1,395
(based on € 1,145) |
Single room: +$299 (€
225) /week
Non-riders:
accompanying riders $855 (€701)/week |
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Dates: Open all
year, except Dec 23 to Jan 02
Meeting: Alcainca
Airport: Lisbon
Transfer: included with weekly package, otherwise $60
(€ 50)
transfer times:
1) 9 AM 2) 12:30 noon and
3) 5:30 PM
Level:
Novice to Advanced
Tack:
English
Horses:
Lusitano (mostly Stallions)
Min/Max Riders: 1-10
Weight limit: 185 lbs
The town of Alcainça lies 25 miles northwest of Lisbon, 4 miles from
the famous cloister of Mafra, and 6 miles from the Atlantic Coast.
It is surrounded by wild pastures and small forests. The Atlantic
Ocean on the west coast helps assure a nice, even temperature
throughout the year so that even in July and August it never gets
too hot.
Riding Program:
The warm-up consists of 30 minutes of lateral work at the
walk: counter shoulder-in, leg yield, zigzag, half pass and
shoulder-in on small circles. The movements are done slowly in the
classical manner of four tracks. Riders remain almost constantly on
circles and bends. Then, a brisk rising trot period follows and
leads into more collected work. Group lessons teach riders to pay
attention to rhythm and be efficient with their aids. Escola de
Equitaçao's style of dressage is rooted in lightness and following
the Portuguese tradition, focuses more on artistry and on
expression. The Portuguese way of dressage evolved from the
bullfighter's needs to control their horses at all times and being
able to place them instantly anywhere the rider wishes. The Lusitano
can sit back on his haunches and collect his gaits extremely well,
freeing his forehand for quick turns.
During your stay, you also have the opportunity to experience
high-school movements such as the Spanish walk, levade, piaffe and
passage. Believing that riders learn mostly by feeling, Malleroni
aids the horse and tells the rider to just sit and feel the
movement.
After a busy day, students enjoy a rustic Portuguese dinner and
local wines. The day's experiences are exchanged, videos about
classical dressage are watched or the local pubs of Alcainça are
explored.
Riding Facilities:
There is an indoor and outdoor riding arena (195ft x 75ft), round
pen (120ft).
Accommodations
You will be staying in the newly constructed simple but charming
guesthouse at the riding school (4 double rooms with private bath)
or at the adjoining facilities (3 rooms with 2 separate baths).
Meals will be taken family style at the center.
Other Facilities:
The center has its own swimming pool, billiard, and living room with
fireplace and TV.
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In March 2002 Hidden Trails organized
a training session for equestrian
and actor William Shatner and his wife Elizabeth at Alcainca.
here are some images from their stay
 
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your connection: |
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Mafra Cloister
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