ABOUT THE RIDING

Style of Riding: English.

Type of Riding: Centre-Based. Morning or afternoon trail rides and equestrian lessons. There will normally be one 60-minute flatwork lesson and one 60-minute lesson over jumps. There will also be a one or two our trail ride each day.

Type of Tack: English, although one can also try the traditional Portuguese bullfighting saddle.

Hours in the Saddle: Between 3 and 4 hours. This normally comprises of one 60-minute flatwork lesson, one 60-minute lesson over jumps and a one or two hour trail ridie, depending on the route chosen. Additional lessons can be booked for a supplement if required.

Riding Ability Required: Beginner upwards.

Maximum Weight: 95kgs (15st)

Number of Guides per Ride: 1 or 2 per group. On trail rides there is normally 1 guide per 3 guests.

Minimum/Maximum number of riders in group: 1/6

Looking after the horse: Guests are not required to groom or tack up their horses but are more than welcome to assist.

ABOUT THE HORSES

Hippikos have 25 horses including a number of Lusitanos as well as some Hanovarians, Holsteiners, Oldenburgs, Bradenburgers and Selle Francais. In addition they have 2 ponies for inexperienced children. They are all skilfully trained horses that can do flying changes, tempi changes, Spanish walk, lateral work, extended trot, half pass, and work on the long lines.

In the Show Jumping Training you can also (subject to your ability) have the chance to ride the competition horses such as "Orage des Garmins" that won the European Final for 4 years old young horses in Fontainebleau 2007 (among 155 finalist horses) and "Radieuse de Ste. Hermele" that was one the best classified in Europe for the Final for 5 years old young horses in Luxemburg 2007.

The Lusitano horse originated in the hilly and rough areas of the Iberian peninsula. The mountainous terrain moulded him into an agile horse, able to leap and keep his footing like a mountain goat. He had to learn not to panic - no use running blindly over a 1000 foot drop! He also had to be hardy, to survive the extremes of weather and the rough surroundings.

Man noticed these characteristics and began to prize him as a war horse. He could out-manoeuvre the opposition and could be relied upon to keep his head. The mountain horse was refined into an animal that could anticipate his rider's wishes and, crucially, keep his rider as far as possible out of danger, whilst exposing himself to the risks of battle. He was used as a dignified and responsive mount upon which courtiers refined their equestrian skills in the movements of the High School.

The Lusitano fell somewhat from favour when cross-country pursuits became popular in the nineteenth century. He was used less as a war-horse as battle tactics turned to flat out charges rather than tricky close contact warfare. Instead, he became deployed as a mount in the bullfight - a stylised form of battle, still requiring the same characteristics of bravery, intelligence and agility from the horse. Accordingly, he has continued to be selected for these qualities until the present day.