Some friends and I have decided to take a dressage vacation this year for a week in the summer. We don’t really care if its a big name trainer just a reasonable price in a pretty area with sound training will do. Portugal looks nice has anyone been to the different facilities there??
I am interested too. I am planning to go in the fall whether someone comes with me or not. The only place I have seen online is Morgado Lusitano.
If anyone can provide websites or can give names of other places in Portugal that would be great.
Equestrian Vacations…i get emails from them all the time.
http://www.hiddentrails.com/europe/italy/index.htm
I think this one is my first pick, though I would go for the trail riding ones, they do offer a training one as well.
Not exactly cheap after you add plane tickets on top of it!! But I sure drool over the possibility, it just looks amazing, like a fantasy land!!
Save the money, stay at home and do 7 to 14 days worth of lessons.
Or you can organise a “camp” with you and your friends.
Don’t know about price but here’s one that was written of in DT
Hello, My husband is a professioal from Russia and we are going to start having weekend with the trainer in our home. It will consist of two nights stay, lessons and meals. What is your take on this
If the price is right 
and a location close to where people live 
it’s a great idea. Start with the locals first - if you can get their seal of approval then your (positive) reputation will grow from there. :yes:
Also - be sure you have at least 2 schoolmasters - minimally one at 3rd level and another at PSG or higher.
[QUOTE=dressagekgb;3025123]
Hello, My husband is a professioal from Russia and we are going to start having weekend with the trainer in our home. It will consist of two nights stay, lessons and meals. What is your take on this[/QUOTE]
I second that this sounds good. It is all about reputation and building a client base. Good luck to you.
Cross Country International has several types of training vacations listed - they were good to work with. My husband and I went on a trail riding trip in Ireland a few years ago and we had a great time. I don’t know their web-site but you could google them.
Garland farms in Georgia. Great place.
L
I am in the final stages of organizing a program which I call “FEI Immersion”. this is an intensive 3 day course on currently competitive FEI horses in the western US. Anyone interested? I will be starting up in April.
I am organizing an intensive program which I call “FEI Immersion” with currently competiting FEI horses to start in April in the western US.
Anyone intersted?
[QUOTE=HSS;3030334]
I am organizing an intensive program which I call “FEI Immersion” with currently competiting FEI horses to start in April in the western US.
Anyone intersted?[/QUOTE]
Yes, tell us more!
[QUOTE=Reiter;3030412]
Yes, tell us more! :)[/QUOTE]
Agreed, tell us more!!:):yes:
Well, what I have in mind is this- and pleasee feel free to add your thoughts, since I am still in the planning stages-
Introductory Program: Directed to the rider starting their dressage training, riding at pre training through first levels. Concepts such as independent seat, breathing leg, elastic hands, horizontal balance and driving aids, correct timing of and delivery of simple aids. Conquer fears; gain confidence and mastery on a horse with a supple and swinging back, big gaits, and an abundance of impulsion.
Medium Program: Tailored for the rider who is ready to move onto lateral work and who already has a secure and confirmed seat and good grasp of the aids. Expansion of the horse as four ¼’s and the independent control and positioning of each area with the rider’s seat. Review of riding and sitting basics with emphasis on clarity and timing of the driving and blocking aids. Introduction and execution of the half halt, bending aids, lateral work, extensions, flying changes and the double bridle.
Advanced Program: Focused on the rider who is ready for or already riding at FEI levels. Expansion of the dressage movements: half pass, collections, engagement, extension. Refinement of the aids and the half halt. Correct usage of the double bridle and the driving aids. Introduction to conformationally and tempermentally induced training challenges. Practice on schooling tempi changes, pirouettes, piaffe, passage.
All programs start with a review lunge lesson to address the riders seat; independence of the aids; and position.
FEI Immersion Program:
Day 1: Lunge lesson approx. 30 minutes
Bikram Yoga session 90 minutes
Day 2: Lunge or riding lesson approx. 30-50 minutes
Theory and Practical Dressage over Lunch Q&A to everything!
Riding lesson approx. 50 minutes
Day 3: Riding lesson approx 50 minutes
Review of video, discussion.
60 day follow up: Within that time period I will review up to 2 DVD’s of you on your own horse, giving feedback, pointers and hints
.
WOW! That sounds great. I’m hoping to have some vacation on my vacation LOL. I’m going to be doing intensive training here with an FEI trainer though and to be honest and I feel silly to pay someone to beat me up so much.
in Thailand
There is a good school at Pattaya where you can do a vacation. The diving is also great there. You can stay at the school, or at a fancier resort (in which case you can arrange a car between the two). Prices very reasonable and diving/golf etc also available. It did used to be the 'ho central of Thailand during WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc., but quite nice away from “strip” now.
You can book a trip through Hidden Trails vacation or contact them directly. Google: Pattaya Equestrian Retreat
http://www.grandcypress.com/equestrian/
I have adult friends and trainers in Florida that have taken a few days to escape over to this place. They said the lessons were great and it was a nice place to decompress, learn, and enjoy some vacation time away from the normal barn routine.
Also have you checked out where the USDF Adult Camps will be this summer?
If you want another type of horse vacation there are some awesome packtrips out of Bishop, June Lake, or Mammoth in California. They are less expensive than doing anything overseas and the views and areas you ride to are incredible. Here is info on one of the places. http://www.rockcreekpackstation.com/trailrides.shtml
Have fun! You have lots of places to choose from to have a fabulous riding vacation.
Garland Farms… I agree with lorilu
[QUOTE=lorilu;3027976]
Garland farms in Georgia. Great place.
L[/QUOTE]
I want to say, I agree!
I went there years ago with my then boyfriend… He has family in Helen Ga which isn’t far… Any THANK GOD he’s now an ex, and I married the perfect guy…
BUT, we stayed at Garland Farm for 2 nights and I rode three times on a decent 2nd??? level ish horse… The lessons were great, it helped me back home with my guy… They also had 2 uppler level horses for lessons… I believe a 4th/PSG, and an older GP horse… Lots of students coming and going so I got to audit a lot also… The little house/cottage we stayed in was fabulous, and very nicely decorated, and they brought a basket of food and nibblies every morning to the door… bagels, muffins, juices, etc…
This was about 8 years ago??? I don’t know if it is the same now, but I have to say I had a great time. My ex, not so much. He was a smoker, and they were adamant about not smoking… He even went out back and tried to sneak one, first night… by this time he was jone-sing for one, and he barely got three puffs in and Gina’s hubby was at the cottage disciplining us. HA… My ex had to get in his jeep and go down the winding driveway out the gate, about a mile from the cottage and park, just to have a ciggi. Very funny now, but I heard about it believe me…
But the lessons and horse riding aspect of it was fabulous, and if I didn’t have such a great trainer near me now, I would go back… Now I save my money, and then go and ride for a few days with FEI rider, Melissa Jackson (Sarasota/Bradenton FL area) when I can… She rocks… So if you are ever in SW Florida, you should look Melissa up… :yes:
Have fun deciding!!!
