Portugal - Dressage in Alentejo
Are you a picky dressage rider? Do you have a strong interest in the aesthetic, and seek beauty and harmony? Then you have found your match in Diogo, owner and creator of this beautiful stud farm and luxurious boutique hotel. He is an architect and has a hectic work schedule all over the world. His beautiful farm is just over an hour from Lisbon, so you can also make it here for a long weekend.
At his stunning country estate, Diogo has found his piece of paradise, where he enjoys and relaxes with his family and his beautiful Lusitanos. For twenty years he has bred Lusitanos with the goal to be able to compete with German and Dutch dressage horses. And now, one of his horses has been matched with a rider for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the horses dearly loved and individually matched to you. To ride a horse that is well ridden from the beginning is a dream. You can then focus on your seat and giving the correct assistance.
Your coaches speaks fluent English, are excellent instructors and calm. They will make you feel safe which, in turn, allows the development of your riding skills. You can also ride in the beautiful surroundings where you can ride for hours without seeing a single car. Diogo’s wish is that you also get to enjoy the best that he knows - beautiful horses, magnificent surroundings and tasteful design and furnishings.
You will not want to go home ...
Program
You can choose from the following programs:
Week Program
Dressage basic: Includes one dressage lesson a day, á 50 minutes. A total of 5 lessons over a week.
Dressage intensive: Includes two lessons per day, á 50 minutes. A total of 9 lessons, 1 countryside ride over a week.
Dressage and Countryside rides : Comprising a total of 5 lessons and 5 countryside rides of about 1½ hours each over a week.
Weekend Program
Dressage basic: Consists of a dressage lesson a day, á 50 minutes. A total of 3 lessons over a weekend.
Dressage intensive: Two lessons per day, á 50 minutes. A total of 5 lessons over a weekend.
Dressage and Countryside rides : Comprising a total of 3 lessons, á 50 minutes and 2 countryside rides, á 1½ hours over a weekend.
You ride your first lesson on Thursday afternoon, then you ride two lessons per day, Friday and Saturday (except the basic program). Departure on Sunday morning.
The lessons are from 9 to 12 am and from 2.30 to 4.30 pm. In July and August from 8 to 11 am.
Note! No riding on Sundays or arrival day (except Weekend with arrival Thursdays, arrival on Thursdays at 2pm the latest for the first lesson).
Accommodation and Food
Diogo has built an exclusive small hotel where he has spared nothing and every detail is carefully thought out. It consists of seven exclusive deluxe rooms of 25 m2 (269 sq. ft) and two standard rooms of 20 m2 (215 sq. ft) .
Stepping into the deluxe room is like stepping into the latest edition of a design magazine. The materials are concrete, wood and glass and straight lines with plenty of natural light.
The Standard rooms offer a modern and minimalistic atmosphere, similar to that of delux rooms but in a smaller area though.
Single: It is possible to book one of the above room as a single room (price for single supplement is available under Dates & Prices). If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will be added.
Safe deposit box: No
A/C: Yes
Hair Dryer: Yes
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: No
The food is also of high quality and cooked with finesse. The breakfast buffet has everything you need to get the energy required for your lessons. Lunch is often a substantial salad buffet and for dinner you will be offered a tasty buffet. Of course, all meals are served with a good local wine.
6 and 3 nights packages include full board (from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure - on the 3 nights packages the lunch on departure day is also included). Lunch can be bought on arrival day. ca 35-40 EUR, paied on site.
Breakfast between 08.00am- 10.00am (from 07.00am in July and August)
Lunch at 1.00 pm
Dinner at 8 pm. / 7.30pm in mid October - mid April.
Portugal, Alentejo - Dressage and Yoga with Pia Wallberg
Dates 2025: October 5-11
Pia Wallberg (E-RYT 500) has worked with exercise and health for most of her life and has worked as a yoga teacher for two decades where she has a broad and deep education from meditation, medical, therapeutic, and more physical yoga. Pia is a dedicated rider and a pioneer in equestrian yoga since she created SattvaRyttarYoga already in 2008. On Pia's popular trips you will learn from her solid experience about how you as a rider can get a better seat and how in the next step you lift your riding to new heights.
Pia is also a conversation therapist and now mainly coaches Swedish and foreign riders in the absolute world elite through her innovative Equitum CoachingSystem where SattvaRyttar Yoga is an important part.
Yoga helps you become a better rider
We all want to become better riders, within the dressage it is very important with good posture and in all disciplines a stable body, balance, body control and compliance are of utmost importance. Versatility in the horse is something we struggle every day, but we easily forget ourselves. The yoga has the ability to make visible, challenge and strengthen our weak sides, therefore it is a perfect complement to the riding, says Pia.
The yoga also helps at competitions as many feel that the horse gets tense in the competition arena. Through the breath we can learn to relax, which in the next step propagates on to the horse. In addition, breathing and relaxation are important for our recovery, which may be needed during an intensive holiday week with more riding classes than the body may be used to.
Yoga gives Pia balance
Yoga helps me find the balance in everything I do both privately, at work and in the stable, says Pia, who rides daily on her horses.
Seat assistance - practical and theoretical
On Pia's popular weeks, you get invaluable help with your seat. Together with the riding instructors, whom she has worked with since 2015, she helps you to take your riding to a new level. You will receive individual help with how to improve your seat while sitting on the horseback, as well as help with what exercises you can do to deal with your possible tensions and oblique body. Pia also trains Joao Torrao who works at the riding center and competes at the highest international level.
Dressage and yoga with Pia Wallberg
Optional riding program and a yoga lesson per day for 5 days. In the morning, before breakfast, there is free meditation = without leader. However, you get a little different techniques to work with independently. In the evening before dinner, SattvaEquestrianYoga 1.5 hours. Different themes every day with the aim of improving the rider's characteristics.
Minimum 7 pers. maximum of about 12-15. If there are fewer than seven booked, we will just book the accommodation and riding programs (not yoga). Guests are primarily placed in shared rooms (the standard room cannot be booked as single room). If there is no one to share a room with, a single room supplement will be added. For price supplements see Dates & prices - Book on request.
Yoga mats are available on site.
For bookings, click on the Alentejo week program below.
Horses
You will ride on dressage horses of the highest quality. Every year, more foals are born, so there are horses of all ages and training levels.
Weight limit: 90 kg.
Private Yoga and seat training with Pia Wallberg, January 25-31, 2026
Now you have the opportunity to book personal yoga and seat training with Pia Wallberg January 25-31 2026
Pia has a long experience from working with riders at different levels and her system is aimed at making you a better horse rider. Her strength is finding your weak links and give you tools to make them strong in so doing reaching your full potential as a rider. To make your experience complete she works together with the riders instructors. Pia has been working at/in MV since 2015 with her popular yoga groups and seat training. She has also been working closely, physical and mental with olympic rider Joao Torrao al the way to the Olympics in Tokyo. Joao is one of the riding instructors.
Package: Chosen dressage program and 2 private yoga sessions and 2 seat trainings together with riding instructor
Group size: Min. 8 riders max 10 riders.
No previous knowledge is needed, only the desire to become a better horse rider!
Said about Pia:
”My Name is Joao Torrao, I am an international dressage rider at Grand Prix level. Pia and I started working together 2015. She really is a great addition to our team. Basically Pia helps me to be a more balanced person for both my professional and my personal life. In the physical aspects, she helped me to get more even in the saddle, stronger in my core and to have more knowledge about my body. Now I know better how to influence my horse by using my seat. Pia has been teaching me some breathing exercises to help me get focused and calm down when I am a bit more stressed or cheer me up when I am a bit more down.
She also helped me to set my goals and how to build the road to achieve them. In the past years Pia has become my advisor and above all a very good friend of mine.”
// Joao Torrao, Olympic rider 2021
Climate
Travel Information
Ability description: Dressage level 1-5 >>
Included in the price:
Week programs: 6 nights, 5 days riding, full board incl. wine with meals.
Weekend program: 3 nights, 3 days riding, full board incl. wine with meals.
Not included: Flights, transfers, insurance, drinks and extras not mentioned.
Travel: Book flightt/rental car >>
Flight: To Lisbon airport.
Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot.
From: Lisbon airport to riding center about 130 km.
Meetingpoint: In the arrival hall, near the Starbucks café.
Price: The following prices are round trip per car. If you want a transfer from a hotel in central Lisbon, there is an extra charge of EUR 20 on the following prices: 1-3 people, EUR 320. 4 people, EUR 360. 5-6 people, EUR 480. 7-8 people, EUR 600.
Arrival-/departure day: The rooms are ready for check in at 4pm and must be left at 12am on departure day. The reception closes at 6pm, late arrivals must come with above transfer service.
Week program: Arrival Sunday afternoon/evening, departure the following Saturday after breakfast.
Weekend: Arrival Thursday at 2pm (11pm in July & August) the latest for your first lesson, departure on Sunday after breakfast.
Rental car: If you want to explore the surroundings on your own, we recommend a rental car. It is approx. 130 km from Lisbon airport to the equestrian center. Plan your arrival to the equestrian center before 6.00PM. Late arrivals (after 3.30PM to Lisboa airport) must book the above transfer service.
Optional arrival/departure: You can choose another arrival and departure day, just mail us on info@horsexplore.com
Single rooms: 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.
Currency: Euro
Credit card: Accepted at riding center.
Tipping: Not necessary but appreciated.
Wifi: Yes
Electricity jack: EU standard
Age limit: No
Weight limit: 90kg (200lbs)
Closest village: 2 minutes with car there is a small village with restaurants and a supermarket. 15 km away is Arraiolos which is bigger.
Beach: 1 hour away with car is Praia da Comporta, which is known for being very nice.
Pool: Yes
Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmet, short chaps. Other equipment can be bought in the shop.
Saddle bag available: No
Special diet: Inform when booking.
Feedback from our travellers
First Time Riding a Lusitano – A Fun and Challenging Experience
It was my first time riding a Lusitano, and it was fun, challenging, and required me to have full control over myself since these horses are very responsive to how the rider behaves. A truly enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Anette Söderberg
An Amazing Riding Trip with a Great Group
Combining yoga with riding is the best combination!
Karin Bergkvist
The Best Training Ever!
Great instructors, very professional, which is reflected in the entire facility with top-level breeding and competition training. Well-trained horses, suitable for riders of different skill levels. I am VERY satisfied with the entire trip.
Carin Holmqvist
Fantastic Instructors!
So dedicated and skilled – simply the best! The horses were beautifully trained and highly responsive. The best place we’ve ever visited. The highest quality in both instructors and horses. The outdoor shower on the terrace was also an incredible experience!
Kristina Eriksson
Luxury and Learning Combined
A truly luxurious stay. Fresh and delicious food, with plenty of vegetables at every meal, good wine, and a variety of cheeses. A highly educational experience – I had the chance to ride horses that knew everything, allowing me to try a level of riding I wouldn’t have access to at home.
The horses were fantastic – very well-trained and real teachers. The whole experience was professional and incredibly rewarding. Even the trail riding horses were lovely! I will definitely return. I had high expectations for this trip, and it fully lived up to them.
Karin Sverkersdotter
An Incredible Experience – Exceeded Expectations!
The accommodation was fantastic, and the riding was beyond all expectations! Already planning a longer trip for next year. This was my third trip with HorseXplore, and I am already planning my next one.
Ellen Westerholm
Magical in Every Way!
Beautiful accommodations, the outdoor shower on the balcony was amazing. Comfortable beds and excellent housekeeping. The horses were fantastic, and the instructors incredibly knowledgeable.
I loved that we could influence what we wanted to improve on and the type of horse we wanted to ride. Everyone was accommodating and service-minded. The place was breathtaking, surrounded by stunning nature.
I have never been this satisfied with a trip before. We have already booked another one and can’t wait to return. Absolutely magical!
Caroline Elander Knip
My Best Riding Experience Ever!
I stayed in one of the standard rooms, which was beautiful and had a terrace facing east, overlooking the foal paddock, the pond, and the sunrise – plus an outdoor shower!
The horses were fantastic, and the instructors outstanding. This was the best riding experience of my life! I was able to work at my own level while also trying advanced movements like passage and piaffe, which are far beyond my usual abilities. There were horses suitable for all levels. I simply have to go back.
The best overall riding experience in every way!
Mathilda Berglin
An Equestrian Paradise
It’s hard to find enough superlatives for this amazing place! Inspirational riding on wonderful horses, super-engaged instructors, and warm, welcoming people. All of this in an environment where every detail is an aesthetic dream.
Helene Murdoch Edman
Luxury with a Personal Touch
Stunning and elegant yet warm and family-like. I loved every detail!
The food was plentiful and delicious. I am gluten- and lactose-intolerant, but everything was well-prepared and tasty. The horses were carefully selected based on skill level, and everything was perfect from start to finish.
I would love to return!
Eja Eliasson
Exceeded All Expectations
A very warm welcome from Diego, who gave us a tour. Beautiful room, lovely common areas, and a fantastic terrace. Well-prepared food, friendly and happy staff.
Excellent instructors! Fun lessons with a mix of basic and advanced movements. Wonderful trail rides in beautiful nature. Everyone, from the family to the kitchen and stable staff, provided outstanding hospitality.
This trip had everything I expected and more – I will definitely return.
Erica Gadd
Outstanding in Every Way!
The accommodations exceeded all expectations – such high standards! The beds were top-class. The entire place is built in harmony with nature, in a stunningly beautiful way.
The food was of the highest quality, with a three-course lunch and dinner every day. The riding was absolutely outstanding. The horses were so well-trained, and I even got to ride a Grand Prix-level stallion. The instruction was world-class.
I felt so welcome – the atmosphere was warm and personal. Simply superb! I will definitely return!
Anna-Lena Bermås
Top-Class in Every Aspect!
Everything was beautifully designed! The instructors were of the highest caliber. It’s hard to imagine a place better than this.
I have traveled with HorseXplore every year since 1999 and have always been satisfied, but this place is in a league of its own if you love dressage training and improving your riding skills.
Eva Hammarin
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