Lusitano Center Alcainca

Introduction
Lisbon Area Portugal

Spend a week or even just a few days at the world renowned Escola de Equitação de Alcainça. Each day you will train with professional trainers in dressage (from novice through to 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 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.

Accomodation

You will be staying in the newly constructed guesthouse at the riding school (four double rooms with private bath) or at the adjoining facilities (three rooms with two separate baths).

Facilities include indoor and outdoor riding arena (195ft x 75ft), round pen (120ft), swimming pool, billiard, and living room with fireplace and TV.

Meal Times – All meals take place in the Dining Room

For non-riding companions there are several golf courses nearby. A visit to Sintra, Mafra, and the wide open beaches, (a 10 minute drive away), is always a great outing.

No Internet available on site.  There is an Intenet Cafe in town.

Sightseeing options and prices are available upon request.

Riding

Under the direction of Georges Malleroni, Alcainça became a dressage stable in which you will find horses at different training levels. You can indeed look forward to getting a mount which is not only well-tempered and of a docile character but who will allow you to explore the great feeling of riding a well-trained dressage horse.

The Horses
The Lusitanos, which come from the same origin as the famous Andalusians, can be considered as some of the finest horses in Europe. Together with their Spanish brothers, the Lusitanos were the first horses which were brought to the New World and thus became ancestors of all American breeds. The Lusitano horses were at their full grandeur when the classical dressage of 'Haute Ecole' was having its era throughout the last centuries, before the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) requested the performance of extension in modern dressage. This is a movement which can only be performed in a limited way by Lusitanos as these horses have never been chosen for being great movers in respect to long strides. They are instead known for their splendid abilities and glamour performing the collected movements. 

Itinerary

Lesson Meeting Point – Indoor Arena

Lesson Times – Morning 10:30h – 12:00h  Afternoon – 15:30 h – 17:00h

With this program you spend a week riding at Escola de Equitação de Alcainça. Each day you will train with professional instructors in the morning or afternoon (2 sessions per day). These magnificent horses are well trained and the instructors are some of the finest dressage riders in the world who can give lesson on any level (the instructors do speak English as well as French!). The center has three instructors, with Head Instructor being Georges Malleroni. Within a short time you will improve your riding level. Your gracious host, Salette Rodrigues, will make you feel right at home.

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).

Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Lusitano Center Alcainca

Dates Note: Arrival can be any day of the week
All of May is now Sold Out for 2009.

Other Info
Meeting: Alcainca
Airport: Lisbon
Transfer:

Climate:

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.

In spring approx. 12°‑to 20° C with many sunny days. Rain is possible. During Summer approximately. 22°‑to 28° C, dry. During fall 17°‑to 22° C, many sunny days, but rain possible.

The temperatures are never extreme and you will usually find it very pleasant for riding. However, be prepared for quick showers which may occasionally occur. The main rainy season in Portugal is from November to April.

Informal attire prevails during this ride; however riding breeches and high boots are most appropriate. Casual sportswear is appropriate for the evenings. Do bring a sweater and jacket for the cooler evenings. We do recommend that you obtain a belt pack to carry your valuables and other small items while out hacking. We also like to carry along some leather thongs for tying things to the saddle.