Portugal, Santarem - Dressage & WE
We are pleased to present another dressage gem in Portugal. Welcome to a large farm with a rich history and tradition. Around this expansive family farm, relatives have chosen to settle, and now the entire village is more or less a family legacy, complete with its own beautiful church in the center.
Rui, the owner and operator of the large farm, is the third generation, and he is passionate about managing and further developing his heritage. In addition, he is an architect and a skilled rider who takes the reins of several horses each day. When he met your trainer, Pedro (who previously managed one of our other highly popular dressage destinations), they decided to open their doors to riders from other countries. Fantastic horses were already on-site, along with an indoor school, a swimming pool, and a talented chef, so one of the many buildings was quickly renovated into comfortable guest rooms.
You can choose between evolving lessons in classical dressage or the increasingly popular discipline of working equitation (WE). The horses are Lusitanos, trained up to Grand Prix movements with a calm and good temperament. Most often, Rui and Pedro join you at mealtimes, contributing to the feeling of being a welcomed guest.
If you want to enhance your riding skills through private lessons on first-class horses in a warm and rustic farm environment, this is the right place for you.
Working Equitation
Working Equitation became a competitive sport in 1996. The sport tests the horse and rider's partnership and ability to manoeuvre obstacles.
There are four different levels of Working Equitation: Novice, Intermediate, Junior and Advanced. At advanced level, the rider must ride with just one hand.
Competition are in three or four parts, in this order:
Dressage, in which the horse and rider perform obligatory movements in a freestyle dressage test to music within a specified time scale.
Ease of Handling Trial, an event in which horses must overcome obstacles similar to those likely to appear in the field, such as bridges and gates. The obstacle course is designed to show the partnership between horse and rider.
Speed, where similar obstacles must be overcome, but against time.
Cow (only for team competitions), in which the four team members separate a specific numbered cow from a group.
Riding
Classical Dressage, Working Equitation & Hacking
Here you can tailor your lessons to fit your needs and wishes. It is possible to only have Classical Dressage lessons or Working Equitation lessons and, of course, it is also possible to choose a well-balanced combination of the two, together with trail rides in the beautiful surroundings.
Riders from all levels and ambitions are warmly welcome — the level of the lessons will be adapted to your level of experience. Even more novice riders will have the chance to try advanced movements such as piaffe, passage and flying changes on the well-schooled horses.
The lessons are given in the indoor arena, or outdoors, in accordance with your wishes and, of course, the weather. To ensure that you have high-quality riding experiences, there will only be private lessons.
You ride in a comfortable dressage saddle and use double bridle.
Program
You can choose from the following programs:
Week Program
Dressage or WE basic: Includes one lesson a day. A total of 5 lessons over a week.
Dressage or WE intensive: Includes two lessons per day. A total of 10 lessons,
Weekend Program
Dressage or WE basic: Consists of a lesson a day. A total of 3 lessons over a weekend.
Dressage or WE intensive: Two lessons per day. A total of 5 lessons over a weekend.
Accommodation & Food
Guests stay in newly renovated double or single rooms with bathrooms. There are a total of 9 rooms. There is towel, bed linen and AC in each room.
Meals are plentiful and you eat at a shared large dining table.. For breakfast, freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly baked bread, yogurt and homemade marmalade are served. Lunch and dinner are three courses, often with a soup as a starter, and fish or meat as the main course and to finish, a fruit or a delicious dessert. To the meals, guests are offered a good wine. Most of what you are offered is made from organically sourced local products, even from the nearest village.
Vegetarians and vegans are warmly welcome and will be fed and very well cared for. And if there is any food you can't tolerate, just inform horsexplore when booking and it will be taken into account. At the indoor school there is a bar where you can provide yourself between meals and sign up on your room. There is also a large swimming pool open from April to September.
Horses
The horses are from the Portuguese breed, PS Lusitano. The Lusitano is known for its braveness, its easiness for collection, and its focus on and willingness to work together with its rider.
There are 27 horses, 8 horses can do various GP movements. Other horses are trained to serve the process of teaching/preparing clients towards GP-movements.
-8 horses are between 10-13 years, the rest are between 5-8 years
-The intructor Pedro trains all the horses himself and the horses are handpicked directly from the breeders, so Pedro knows and can tell their whole life story.
The horses are chosen for their character, physique, level of education and their ability to give good lessons.
The height is from 150 cm to 170 cm.
Together with the highly educated schoolmaster horses, you will have the opportunity to work on all the lateral movements, piaffe, passage, Spanish walk, flying changes and canter pirouettes—and try a full Working Equitation course. There are also horses suitable for a nice hack out.
The tack used is English.
To ensure that you have high-quality riding experiences, there will only be private lessons.
Portugal, Santarem - Golega special
Our Equestrian Center, promotes again an unforgettable experience at the Golegã Fair. This year, with 5 package options, you can enjoy, in addition to 2 private classes (on 5 day program) or 5 private classes (on 7 day program) with our Riding Teacher, Pedro Teixeira Farto, Fado sessions, regional liqueurs taste, traditional Folclore and shows at Quinta, transfer to and from Golegã either in the morning or in the afternoon and the already traditional and desirable tour in Golegã. Here, in addition to delighting in the typical drinks, with the possibility of experiencing the balcony of our house, enjoying some drinks and to end the day, a dinner in a typical Golegã restaurant.
Special Terms & Conditions: 50% deposit which is non-refundable under any circumstances. Not possible to buy cancellation insurance.
Group size: Max 20 people
Package: Option 1
6 -10 November 2025
Check in – 14h00 Check out – 12h30
Thursday, November 6
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
19:00 Visit to Quinta
19:45 Briefing
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fado
Friday, November 7
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
09:30 Transfer/ Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00 Transfer/ Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fandango
Saturday, November 8
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
09:30 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Regional Folclore
Sunday, November 9
07:30 Breakfast
11:00 Show at Quinta
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Transfer to horseback riding on Golegã
16:00 Beginning of the first horse riding on Golegã
20:30 Dinner at Golegã
Monday, November 10
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
Departure
Package: Option 2
10-14 November 2025
Check in – 14h00 Check out – 12h30
Monday, November 10
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
19:00 Visit to Quinta
19:45 Briefing
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fado
Tuesday, November 11
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
09:30 Transfer/ Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00 Transfer/ Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fandango
Wednesday, November 12
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
09:30 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Regional Folclore
Thursday, November 13
07:30 Breakfast
11:00 Show at Quinta
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Transfer to horseback riding on Golegã
16:00 Beginning of the first horse riding on Golegã
20:30 Dinner at Golegã
Friday, November 14
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
Departure
Package: Option 3
14-18 November 2025
Check in – 14h00 Check out – 12h30
Friday, November 14
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
19:00 Visit to Quinta
19:45 Briefing
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fado
Saturday, November 15
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
09:30 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fandango
Sunday, November 16
07:30 Breakfast
11:00 Show at Quinta
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Transfer to horseback riding on Golegã
16:00 Beginning of the first horse riding on Golegã
20:30 Dinner at Golegã
Monday, November 17
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Regional Folclore
Tuesday, November 18
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
Departure
Package: Option 4
4-10 November 2025
Check in – 14h00 Check out – 12h30
Tuesday, November 4
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
Wednesday, November 5
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
Thursday, November 6
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
19:00 Visit to Quinta
19:45 Briefing
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fado
Friday, November 7
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
10:00 Transfer/ Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00Transfer/ Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fandango
Saturday, November 8
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
09:30 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
15:00 Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Regional Folclore
Sunday, November 9
07:30 Breakfast
11:00 Show at Quinta
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Transfer to horseback riding on Golegã
16:00 Beginning of the first horse riding on Golegã
20:30 Dinner at Golegã
Monday, November 10
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
Departure
Package: Option 5
14 -20 November 2025
Check in – 14h00 Check out – 12h30
Friday, November 14
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
19:00 Visit to Quinta
19:45 Briefing
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fado
Saturday, November 15
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
Transfer/Visit to Golegã Feria
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Fandango
Sunday, November 16
07:30 Breakfast
11:00 Show at Quinta
13:00 Lunch
15.00 Transfer to horseback riding on Golegã
16:00 Beginning of the first horse riding on Golegã
20:30 Dinner at Golegã
Monday, November 17
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Regional Folclore
Tuesday, November 18
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
Wednesday, November 19
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
Thursday, November 20
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Classes during the morning
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Classes during the afternoon
20:00 Dinner
Travel Information
Ability Description: Dressage level 1-5
Included in the price:
Weekly program: 6 nights, 5 days riding (5-10 private lessons), full board, wine for lunch and dinner
Weekendprogram : 3 nights, 3 days riding (3-5 private lessons), full board, wine for lunch and dinner
Not included: Travel to and from Portugal, transfer
Travel: Fly to Lisbon.
Transfers: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot. Transfer from Lisbon Airport is:
1 person 100,00€ / one-way / car.
- 2 people 120,00€ / one-way / car.
- For each person sharing the transfer, increases 10,00€ to this value
4 people 140,00€ / one-way / car.
6 people 160,00€ / one-way / car.
8 people 180,00€/ one-way / car.
Transfer costs payable in cash to the driver. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Meetingpoint: Starbucks café in the arrivalhall
Train: From Lisbon Oriente to Santa Cita, when arriving a short ride, around 5 min. (7-10 EUR) to the riding center. Tickets can be purchased from an automatic kiosk at the station. You can see train timetable at www.cp.pt
Inform horseXplore which train you plan to take and also call the riding center when you are on the train and they may be able to pick you up at no extra cost.
Arrival / departure:
Weekly program: Arrival on Sundays before 8 pm in order to get dinner, departure the following Saturday after breakfast.
Weekend program: Arrival Thursday at 3pm the latest for your first lesson, departure on Sunday after breakfast. If you arrive in the evening on Thursday, you can ride the last lesson on Sunday morning instead.
Optional arrival/departure: You can choose another arrival and departure day, just mail us on info@horsexplore.se
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.
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.
Group Size: Min. 1 and max. 10-12 riders. private lessons.
Max weight: No maxweight
Children: There are small horses for experienced young riders.
Credit card: No. Cash or bank transfer
Swimming pool: Open April-September, 12x5 meter.
Other: There is free Wi-Fi.
Feedback from our travellers
Beautiful Accommodation and Personalized Training
Lovely rooms with AC, cleaned daily. Access to a beautiful pool. The presence of various animals on the farm added to the charm.
The food was delicious, varied, healthy, and plentiful, with many local ingredients. They ensured that I worked on the areas I had specified before departure, which helped me grow and gain new confidence in my riding. The private lesson concept worked exceptionally well.
I got to ride horses that suited me perfectly, exactly as I had requested. They were sensitive, forward, and felt safe. I had asked to try horses at different training stages, and I was able to do just that.
Everyone was incredibly friendly and caring. Well-organized and exceeded my expectations!
Helene Sveronius
Continuously Improving – An Outstanding Experience
Clean and fresh accommodations. It’s great to see that they are always striving for improvement.The food was fantastic, featuring many locally sourced ingredients – well-prepared and flavorful. It was lovely that they dined with us, making it a warm and friendly experience.
The riding setup was excellent, with two assistants helping each rider during warm-up. They knew the horses well, making everything feel safe and smooth. Then, we rode individually for Pedro, who matched horses exceptionally well.
The horses were well-trained, responsive, and a joy to ride. They were all healthy and in excellent condition.
The entire team was customer-focused, ensuring we had the best possible experience in a welcoming and family-like atmosphere. It exceeded my expectations!
Anna Nienhuysen
Best Riding Destination in Portugal!
I’ve been to this place several times before. The accommodation is great!The riding is absolutely superb, which is why we keep coming back. The best of all the five places I’ve visited in Portugal.
HorseXplore always provides excellent service – I’ve been traveling with them for 20 years now!
Maria Hernberg
World-Class Training and Horses
A warm welcome from everyone – including the entire pack of dogs!
Pedro is one of the best trainers I’ve ever ridden for. His incredible dedication and energy are admirable. It’s amazing how he can continuously bring out horse after horse, all at such a high level.
I love the opportunity to ride both young and experienced horses. The atmosphere is very family-like.
I’ve been here several times, and there will be more visits to come!
Caren Bergström
A Trainer Who Brings Out the Best in You
Pedro is incredible at ensuring continuous progress. He always has a plan to help riders get the most out of their lessons.The horses are fantastic, each at a different level. Nothing comes for free, but once you find the right tools, the feeling is amazing.
Everything was top-notch! Rui and Zandra make sure everything runs perfectly.
I will definitely return in the fall!
Therese Gileborn
A Five-Star Riding Experience
Four-course meals with wine for both lunch and dinner – diverse and delicious.
Pedro, the riding instructor, was incredibly engaged with every rider, ensuring each session was a fantastic experience. The lessons were tailored to each individual.
The horses were exceptionally well-trained and safe—none of them bucked, spooked, or acted up throughout the entire week.
The environment was warm and welcoming, with the owners Rui and Sandra personally ensuring every guest felt cared for.
I have traveled with HorseXplore annually since 1999 – that says it all!
Eva Hammarin
Authentic Portuguese Cuisine and Exceptional Horses
It was wonderful to taste real Portuguese food.
Having the arena to myself with a skilled instructor was a great experience. Working Equitation (WE) was so much fun on horses that truly mastered it.
The horses were excellent, trained in both dressage and WE, with options for all rider levels.
We had access to a pool, which was perfect in the heat.
I would love to return to this charming farm!
Ingela Grönvall
An Impeccable Experience
The facility was spotless, well-maintained, and beautifully kept.
Food was plentiful—three-course meals with wine. Great quality, especially for Portugal.
The trainer was highly engaged and had a keen eye for details.
All the horses were well-schooled and had unique personalities, making the experience both challenging and rewarding.
A warm and friendly environment with shared dinners, making it even more enjoyable!
Anna Kiviö Jonsson
Perfectly Matched Horses and Exceptional Training
Everything met my expectations—comfortable beds, a clean bathroom, and air conditioning.
Pedro is so much fun to ride for. He perfectly matches horses to riders' needs and learning goals!
I was even able to add two extra lessons without any issues when I realized my body could handle it.
With nearly 30 horses to choose from, there was always a perfect match for every rider. I rode four different horses during the week, and two became my absolute favorites.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We had spontaneous excursions, a picnic one day, and a tour of the farm’s museum another day.
Eleonor Palmér
A Passionate Team and Fantastic Horses
Delicious and hearty homemade meals.
Wonderful and well-trained horses. The hosts and trainers were deeply invested in ensuring every guest had a great experience.
I will definitely travel with HorseXplore again – and hopefully return to this incredible place!
Eva Ranklev Twetman
A Place That Feels Like Home
We were welcomed with a grand dinner in a lively and friendly atmosphere. The instructors even sat at the table with us, making the experience even more special.
I had the same room as before, which made me feel right at home.
The training structure was great – 30 minutes of warm-up with a coach to get to know the horse and relax, followed by 30 minutes of lessons with the head trainer.
Feeling like I can still improve as a rider, even at my age, is fantastic. The variety of horses and the instructors' ability to match them to riders was outstanding.
During morning sessions, I rode different horses, but in the afternoons, I was able to ride the one I fell in love with.
I can’t imagine a place where I would have been better taken care of!
Eva Malmgren
Unmatched Horse Selection and Instruction
The dual-instructor system provided excellent quality lessons.
The structure was fantastic – the only place I know with 16 great horses to choose from!
The family and staff were wonderful.
This is the best place I’ve been to so far!
Maria Hernberg
A Truly Special Experience
Authentic Portuguese home-cooked meals, all delicious.
Pedro's dedication is beyond incredible. The horses were outstanding.
I have never felt so well taken care of as I did by this amazing family and their wonderful staff.
Already checking my calendar to plan my next trip!
Caren Bergström
Private Lessons and Personal Touches
The private lessons were filled with valuable feedback. It was fun to ride different horses and experience their unique qualities.
The atmosphere was incredibly warm and welcoming – we dined together with the family and staff, which made everything feel personal and special.
Fantastic horses, skilled trainers, delicious food, and a lovely setting—everything was even better than we had dreamed of.
Johanna Tun
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