Poland, Masuria - All-round Program or Trail Ride
Joanna and her husband found their dream seventeenth century castle, as the roof was about to collapse, and decided to buy it at the last second. Over the past twenty years, they have restored it to its former glory. This beautiful country estate of 200 hectares (500 acres) includes rolling meadows, majestic oak forests and small lakes.
In addition to the renovation, they have also chosen to invest in the breeding of quality jumping horses with German breeds such as Holsteiner and Westphalian. Many of the offspring have been sold to competitive riders abroad.
Here's your chance to choose between an all-round program of lessons and rides or a trail ride with lots of different scenery, all on a beautiful castle estate.
In addition to riding, you can borrow bikes, go fishing, play tennis or why not enjoy a great massage or a sauna (russian banya).
Accommodation and Food
The accommodation is excellent, either in the castle or in the nearby hotel from the early 1900s. The hotel is a converted warehouse and contains a reception, restaurant and bar. There are a total of 36 rooms and suites. The rooms are large with plenty of pine and high ceilings.
Safe deposit box: Yes in the reception-
A/C: No
Hair Dryer: Yes
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: Yes
Check-in in the room is from 3 p.m. If you arrive earlier, there may be a short wait to enter the room.
Joanna's chef trained at a renowned restaurant in Warsaw, so the food is a treat for both the eye and the palate. They focus on organic food using local ingredients and lots of fruit and vegetables. At mealtimes, it is easy to forget that you are in the Polish countryside as feels like you could be at a fine restaurant in any big city.
Even the breakfast that horseXplore’s test rider ate beat most multi-star hotel breakfasts.
During both lunch and dinner, you get to choose from the comprehensive a la carte menu, except when you are out in full-day ride, when you will be offered a hearty picnic.
Horses
There are about 50 horses. That includes horses for riding guests (about 20), racehorses and colts. They are Holsteiner, Westphalian and Polish halfbloods about 160-175 cm (63-69 in.).
Whether you choose the trail ride or All-round program, it is a pleasure to ride these healthy and well-mannered horses.
Weight limit: 90kg
Trail Ride in Masuria, Weekend
A wonderfully varied riding week on fine horses. Each day begins with the morning breakfast. Every trail is about 30 km and lasts approximately 5-6 hours (including the time for a lunch and a short break). Every day, you will visit different places. Lunch will be served in every location. When you get back to the riding centre a delicious dinner will be served in the restaurant.
Arrival: at the hotel and a 1 hour test ride on the riding arena. That is going to help them match the horse to your riding skills and riding style. Welcome dinner.
Sanctuary in Stoczek Klasztorny
You will ride along the Warmia’s wonderful meadows and forests to an eighteenth-century convent. The monks in the monastery cook a nice lunch taken in the garden. After the tour, you are back in the saddle for trotting and galloping on the way home. In the evening you will enjoy a delicious dinner.
Krawczyki village
Another day and another beautiful route. Today you will visit village Krawczyki. From XVI c. to XX c. belonged to family Denhoff. Lunch will be served in one of the local agritourism farm. After lunch and a short rest you will go back to the riding centre.
Departure: Breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon (if you started your week with a dinner). After the check-out you will get back home with hopefully a full luggage of incredible experiences and amazing memories.
Minimum 5 people max 10. If the number of participants is not sufficient, the program change to Allroundprogram.
Show Jumping/Allroundprogram
On Allround program you will receive 12 lessons (60 min. each) if you stay a week, or six lessons if it is a long weekend. You can choose flatwork / jumping, alternatively, you can mix outdoor rides with dressage and flatwork. You will also have the chance to practice lunging or learn to drive a horse & cart.
If you are a complete beginner, you will receive the same number of lessons as above, but the lessons are 30 minutes and one on one with the instructor.
What is so great is that you decide for yourself along with the staff what it is that you want to do. During the Allround Weekend programme you can have max. 2 jumping lessons (up to 60 cm) and during the Allround Week Programme you can have max. 4 jumping lessons (up to 60 cm). One carriage lesson (1 hour) is equal to two standard riding sessions. 1 hour riding out is equal to 1 standard riding session. Max. 7 persons per group.
If you would like to focus only on jumping lessons you can choose Show Jumping Weekend (5 show jumping lessons) or Show Jumping Week (10 show jumping lessons). You also choose if you like show jumping up to 60 cm or 100 cm. Max. 4-5 persons per group.
Both programmes include a carriage ride that gives a tour of the castles beautiful surroundings.
If there is bad weather there is an indoor riding arena 60x25 m.
Climate
A northern European Summer. However, take too much rather than too little clothing. April and October 10-15 C degrees (50-60 F). May, June and September are often sunny and 15-30 degrees (60-86 F). July and August 20-30 (68-86 F) degrees.
Travel Information
Ability description:
Trail ride: Outdoor Riding level 2-3 >>
All-round programs: Jumping level 1-4 >> Dressage level 1-3>>
Included in the price: Accomodation and riding mentioned in the different programs. Full board incl. water, juice, tea/coffee with meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Not included: Flights, transfers, insurance, alcoholic beverages, massage, sauna and extras not mentioned.
Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
Flight: to Gdansk.
Boat: You can also take the a car ferry to Gdansk, from where it is about 130 km (80 miles) to the riding center.
More detailed information is available in the travel confirmation you receive after booking.
Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay in CASH IN EURO directly to the driver.
From Gdansk airport or harbour about 185 km (115 miles), about 2½ hours drive.
Price 2025: 1-3 persons 200 EUR/taxi/one way. 4-8 persons 250 EUR/bus/one way. CASH IN EURO directly to the driver. It is possible to pay by CARD at the hotel reception but it will be more expensive (30%)
Train: If you want you can take taxi or light train to Gdansk train station and then take the train to Olsztyn which is closest to the riding center. You have train times on https://pkp.pl/en/.
Price: Transfer from train station in Olsztyn to riding center, approx. 120 EUR/car/one way (1-3 persons) paid in cash directly to the driver
Arrivals: Weekend programs - Advisable to get to the equestrian center between 2:00 - 3:30 PM on the arrival day to ride first class in the afternoon. Departure on Sunday after lunch about noon.
Weekly programs - Arrival time is suitable in the afternoon on the day of arrival and departure after breakfast on departure day.
Optional arrival/departure: You can choose another arrival and departure day, just mail us on info@horsexplore.com
Season: High season: May - October Low season: November - April
Single room: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices. If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will apply. In low season (November-April) there is no single room supplement.
Currency: Polish currency, Zloty (PLN).
Credit card: The riding centre accept credit card.
Tipping: Not required but appreciated.
Wifi: There is free WiFi in the rooms.
Electricity jack: EU standard
Group size: Allround- jumping program: minimum 1, maximum 10 riders. Trail ride, weekend: minimum 5 max. 10 riders.
Age limit: None on Allround- jumping program. 18 years on Trail Ride, weekend.
Weight limit: 90kg
Child discount: Children up to 12 years recieve 20% discount. Non riding children, 50% discount.
Dogs: Are welcome for an extra fee ca 8 Eur/dog/night. Bring a vaccination card and should be kept on a leash.
Closest village: Bartoszyce is about 10 km from the riding center with restaurants, ATM and pubs.
Beach: About 20 km away.
Pool: 20 km away in the city Lidzbark Warminski there are hot springs.
Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmet
Saddle bag available: Yes
Special diet: Inform when booking.
Feedback from our travellers
Inspiring jumping and fantastic staff
"Skilled and inspiring instructor in jumping. Friendly and pleasant horses. Incredibly well-trained. Fantastic staff throughout the facility! Superb! I will definitely return."
– Annica Hallbäck
Fantastic food and well-adjusted riding
"Fantastic food. Everything was delicious all the time! Cheap alcohol and friendly serving staff in a relaxed atmosphere. The instructor adjusted the lesson to our individual abilities. We did more than we hoped for, at the right pace. I was surprised by how beautiful Poland is, and the high quality of the horses, riding, accommodation, and the fantastic food."
– Helen Åkerwall
Challenging and inspiring riding in beautiful nature
"Challenging, friendly, and skilled instructors. The instructor in the jumping lessons was very engaged. The rides took place in beautiful landscapes with lots of trotting and galloping. Safe horses on the rides. We saw deer, elk, and many cranes."
– Beate Lund Beaudoin
Elegant castle accommodation and high-quality riding
"We stayed in part of the old castle. Large, beautiful, well-renovated, and fresh. Well-prepared Polish food made with high-quality ingredients. Beautiful, very sensitive horses that one is not typically used to as a riding school rider. We really had to focus on the details. High quality at a low price!"
– Anita Färingö
An unforgettable riding holiday in Poland
"Very large rooms!!! Three-course meals for both lunch and dinner. We could choose freely from the menu!! I've never ridden such long gallops. Since I had knee issues, we switched the last day's long ride to two dressage lessons instead. Very fine horses, forward-going, and well-educated. Everyone was very friendly and service-oriented! Much better than expected! Poland as a country is underrated."
– Susanna Lindberg
Flexible riding times and a fantastic riding experience
"Really good. You could choose whatever times you wanted to ride, even if you preferred dressage or jumping. The instructors (3 of them) were really good and gave great instructions and feedback. Fantastic horses. Both in dressage and jumping. Very easy to handle in the stable. I would love to return. It was a fantastic riding holiday."
– Jonna Olsson
Top ratings for accommodation and food
"Completely fantastic accommodation. The best food I’ve ever had! Great riding instructors and beautiful horses. Everyone was incredibly friendly. I will definitely go back to the same place, they get top ratings in everything!"
– Susanna Lägersten
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