Castle Sindlingen Equestrian Black Forest Germany This 500 year-old castle manor riding center, one of the best in Germany, is an ideal equestrian getaway with its beautiful location in a lovely rural setting close to the Black Forest range. The equestrian center is easily accessible from both Stuttgart and Frankfurt. Dressage lessons on quality German Warmblood horses are available up to a high intermediate level, but the jumping and cross-country instructions are offered all the way up to Grand Prix level - mostly on Irish Hunters! Fritz Pape, a multi-purpose champion and trainer, guarantees sound lessons for riders of all riding levels. Whether you’re taking your first riding lessons ever, enjoying one of the beautiful country trail rides, learning to jump cross-country or polishing up your riding skills in one of the many seminars - there’s always the right horse for you! During the year we offer our Regular Riding Weeks that include private and group lessons, Hacking Weeks, Hunt and Cross-Country Weeks and as well as one- and two-week riding clinics for all levels of rider. You will be accommodated in comfortable double rooms and enjoy tasty home-cooking. There are tennis courts nearby to play or you can bicycle, hike and go on coach rides. The castle is not only a riding center, but also a fantastic vacation destination - so non-riding partners are welcome to come along and enjoy the fabulous countryside as well! Riding Clinic Trip for "Women Only" Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Center-based ride Meeting: Herrenberg Airport: Stuttgart/ Frankfurt Transfer: A transfer is available from Herrenberg train station or take a taxi on your own Riders: Min 1 riders Max 5 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Rates Note:

For more experienced riders we recommend to purchase an additional 10 instruction sessions (in advance) - 1 private lesson = 2 group lessons.

Transfer and Other Charges:

Sindlingen is easily reachable by train from the Frankfurt airport (about 3 hours) or from Stuttgart (1 hour). A transfer is available on request from the Herrenberg train station- let us know your arrival time- or take a taxi on your own to the center (4 km). By car Herrenberg is very conveniently located. It is only 36 km from Stuttgart.

You can choose from different programs:
- Basic Instructions
- Intermediate Instructions
- Child Program
- Ladies Weeks
- Hunting Training
- Beginner Weekend
- Intermediate Weekend
- Jumping Course
- Two Week Clinic



Basic Instructions: 6-day & 8-day Programs - subject to changes
This is for beginners and intermediate riders who wish to take some lessons and get ready to go on some hacks. Arrival is usually on Sundays, with riding activities from Monday to Friday (6-day program). Riders who choose the 8-day program will ride 1 or 2 extra days (Saturday and Sunday).
The goal of this program is to improve equine and riding knowledge and perform practical exercises on horseback in all paces.
The daily program starts with breakfast, followed by theory lesson, grooming and tacking up the horses. Then morning riding activity starts at 10 am. Lunch break is around 12:30 pm, followed at 2 pm by some theory. At 4 pm the afternoon riding activity starst and the day ends with dinner at about 6:30 pm.

Child Program - subject to changes
Arrival is Sunday afternoon and departure on either the following Friday or Sunday afternoon.
The program is similar to the adult beginner instructions programs but it has been adapted to junior riders.



Intermediate Instructions: 6-day & 8-day Programs - subject to changes
This is for riders who want to improve a specific skill (jumping or dressage). Participants can choose between a focus on Dressage or Jumping.
The Dressage course will focus on the improvement of the dressage seat, half halts, leg yielding, canter changes and much more.
The Jumping course will focus on learning the correct jumping seat, mastering individual jumps and combinations etc.
Arrival is usually on Sundays, with riding activities from Monday to Friday (6-day program). Riders who choose the 8-day program will ride 1 or 2 extra days (Saturday and Sunday).
Our regular program includes 10 hours of instructions in dressage or jumping, of which 5 are in group sessions and 5 in private sessions. For more experienced riders we recommend to purchase an additional 10 instruction sessions (in advance). Your riding hours can include some hacking out if you like, but you should be a confident rider.
If you would like to have additional private instructions, you can switch 2 group lessons for 1 private session. Lessons are around 50 minutes in length while hacks are 1-2 hours.



Hunting Training - subject to changes
Once a year you are invited to join us on a week-long Hunt and Cross Country ride in the Black Forest.
The training will focus on the hunting seat, jumps up and down, little ricks, ditches, embankments, behavior in the hunting field.
This week is particularly suitable for working young horses off-road or as a rider to improve the experience in off-road riding.

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival for lunch (latest arrival at 2pm) in order to get ready for your first riding instruction in the afternoon: hunting seat, jumping obstacles up and down and small obstacles.
Day 2 (Tuesday): Regular riding instruction in the morning  and in the afternoon exercising in the fields: behavior during a hunt, ditches and steep down hill riding
Day 3 (Wednesday): Preparation of horses and tack in the morning, first hunt in the afternoon around 2 pm (other people can participate as well)
Day 4 (Thursday): Theoretical schooling in the morning, hacking in the afternoon
Day 5 (Friday): Jumping and schooling of the rider´s seat in the morning. In the afternoon, instruction in the fields (mainly without jumping)
Day 6 (Saturday): Preparing the horses and tack in the morning and hunt in the afternoon. Farewell drink.



Two Week Clinic - subject to changes
The contents of the program will be discussed individually with participants. Depending on interest, the program will concentrate on increased dressage, jumping or cross country.
Arrival Sunday and riding from Monday to Sunday morning of the second week (departure Sunday after lunch).
No riding on arrival day.

Weekend Programs - subject to changes
Day 1: Arrive and one group riding lesson
Day 2: Group riding lesson in the morning and hacking in the afternoon
Day 3: Morning hack. Departure after lunch

Note: Additional lessons and be booked at an extra charge.

                                                Jettingen area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	38	40	46	54	62	68	72	72	65	56	45	40
Average Low Temperature (°F)	29	29	34	39	46	52	56	56	50	44	36	31
Average High Temperature (°C)	3	4	8	12	17	20	22	22	18	13	8	4
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-2	-1	1	4	8	11	13	13	10	6	2	0
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	14	11	12	11	13	13	12	11	9	11	12	14

Source: NOAA
 

Seasons
The climate in this area of Germany is most pleasant.  The mild climate allows us to organize trip all year-round. However, the best time to visit is probably from May to mid-October as this time of the year is known for warm days and mild evenings.  Rains can occur anytime throughout the year, but in summer they are usually of short duration. 

Some recommendations: English riding attire of breeches and high boots is correct, and a hard hat is recommended.  Be sure to bring sun protection, as well as a sweater or jacket for the evenings.  Rain is possible anytime in Europe, so you will need rain gear suitable for riding (NOT a poncho).  Dress at dinner is casual, although you may wish to bring a dress/jacket for the larger cities if you are doing other touring before or after your ride.  We suggest that you bring a belt pack for carrying your camera, sunscreen, etc. while riding, and some leather thongs for tying your rain gear to the saddle when not in use if you plan to hack out.  Some of our riders like to bring along a "seat saver." Since many hotels in Europe do not provide soap in the rooms we suggest you bring your own.  Hair dryers are available.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Comfortable riding breeches

High riding boots

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)- Some Helmets are available, however fit cannot be guaranteed. Best to bring your own.

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Rain coat/Wax jacket

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Light summer jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra film or batteries

Sun glasses with strap

Average ratings from 29 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date elena dimitroff 9/7/2018 jack pullis 12/29/2017 shanying chng 11/3/2017 martha ngan 3/1/2017 mary 10/23/2016 emily barnes 6/18/2016 iva meadows 11/14/2013 mark naas 11/10/2013 mario zavaro 9/6/2013 mohammad fairooz 2/16/2013 jennifer dowden 12/22/2012 naomi atsumi 8/14/2012 katherine daszkowski 4/29/2012 bill schneberger 8/13/2011 diana heyneker 4/21/2011 dan alexandru gliga 4/13/2011 daniela rusu 12/9/2010 carissa courtney 9/16/2010 paula pottle 6/6/2010 tara wieben 8/31/2009 michelle schardt 4/11/2008 yvette penno 9/24/2007 robert bradford 9/21/2007 rita h.y. li 9/10/2007 rita li 9/1/2007 jeanne ashman 6/29/2007 karen larkins 5/16/2006 miranda langguth 11/18/2004 peggy & laura lund 6/27/2001

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same accommodation.

Description
You will stay in the castle, not one with turrets and towers, but rather a large dignified rural manor approximately 500 years old. It is surrounded by a (now dry) moat and lined with old trees forming a part of the park, which opens to the south to include our spacious riding arena. Castle Sindlingen is both a holiday hotel and a riding school.
With its open hilly terrain at almost 600 meters above sea-level, the view is superb and extends to the Swabian Alb to the south and the Black Forest to the west. You will be accommodated in one of the 22 rustic double rooms in the historic building. All the rooms are equipped with private baths.
Internet access is provided in the common areas of the castle.

 

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share a room with you, the single supplement fee does apply.
 
 

Meals
All meals are included. Drinks are not included in this package.
Please note that the main meal of the day is lunch while dinner is lighter

While staying at the castle:
Breakfast is served at 8:00 am.
Lunch is served at 12:30pm .
Dinner is at 6:30 pm unless you are taking a lesson in which case arrangements can be made for a later dinner.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegans.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Warmbloods, Irish Hunters
Pace:		Moderate. 4-6 hours
Level:		(1 to 5 out of 5)    All riding levels
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 5 riders

Level & Experience:  
Level: A-C for dressage
C-D for jumping
C+ for hacking
D for Hunt / Cross Country



Horses
There are about 80 horses in the stables. The core of these comprises our own school-horses. The horses are at home in the dressage ring just as much as in the jumping arena. All our horses are reliable for hacking, especially the many horses from Ireland, which we regularly buy on our visits to the Emerald Isle.
There is a whole range of very good ponies available for the training of children. If you wish to bring your own horse to a course or on holiday, we have extra stabling to accommodate them.

Riding Facilities
The riding center has 2 indoor arenas (the biggest measuring 27 x 66 meters), 4 hectares of outdoor training grounds. Apart from the usual show jumping rails, you will also find all the jumps necessary for cross-country training. For instance, several different banks, ditches, hedges, water jumps and a variety of natural jumps. We also have an outdoor sand-dressage arena. 

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.