Sweden, Uppland - Riding in harmoni with Working Equitation on Lusitanos

Out in the beautiful Swedish countryside in Uppland, about 80 kilometers west of Stockholm, you can get the feeling of being in Portugal. The entire farm is inspired by Portugal, with lots of green and white, portals, and beautiful wall paintings of horses. And most importantly, there are a large number of fine Lusitanos here.

The choice of Lusitanos happened somewhat by chance. The farm’s owner, Katarina, traveled to Portugal and got the chance to ride well-trained Lusitanos. She had never before experienced such harmony and joy. That moment sparked her decision to start importing and later also breeding on a small scale. One thing led to another, and now the farm includes a large indoor riding arena, stables, outdoor housing for the horses, and on-site accommodations.

Katarina’s goal is for all riding guests to feel at home and, like her, experience harmony, feeling, and joy in their riding. The focus is on developing your riding and gaining insights that lead to more harmonious riding—not on performance or flashy showmanship, but on ending the lesson with a smile on your face. She is supported by several excellent instructors who share her philosophy.

If you want to experience an open, warm atmosphere, happy horses, and enjoy good food and drink with like-minded people, this is definitely the place to visit.

Program

Riding in Harmony
The riding here is referred to as riding in harmony. This means striving for a balanced way of riding with a horse that carries itself, where the rider’s aids are minimal. Great emphasis is placed on helping riders feel what is happening when they apply aids. A popular feature of the courses is a 30-minute individual seat lesson, where the rider is lunged at the walk and trot to feel how their seat affects the horse’s movement and balance.

Working Equitation – When Dressage Becomes Practical
In Working Equitation (WE), the partnership between horse and rider is developed, along with the horse’s self-carriage, strength, suppleness, and obedience, as well as the rider’s use of aids, seat, and balance. Add a bit of speed and flair, and you get an incredibly fun and engaging training experience for both horse and rider.

Since 2009, WE has been an official discipline under the Swedish Equestrian Federation. Ponies and riding horses compete against each other, as do children and adults. This means that adults can compete on ponies as long as the combination is proportionate. In other words, WE truly is a discipline for everyone!

Weekly Program
Includes: 5 nights, 5 days of riding (9 sessions), 2 theory lessons, and full board.

Sunday: Arrival between 16:30–18:00 for check-in. Group meeting around 18:00 to go over the schedule and horse-related routines. Welcome dinner at 19:00.

Monday–Thursday: Each morning starts with a group meeting after breakfast to review the day's schedule and reflect on the previous day’s training. Two of these mornings include theory lessons on relevant topics.
Typically, you’ll ride a dressage lesson in the morning. In the afternoon, you’ll train WE on three days and go for a trail ride on one afternoon.

Friday: Departure after lunch.

Weekend Program
Includes: 3 nights, 4 days of riding (6 sessions), 2 theory lessons, and full board.

Thursday: Arrival in the afternoon with check-in between 13:00–14:00. At 14:00, gather in riding clothes for horse assignment and a review of routines. Between 15:00–18:00, the first dressage session takes place, usually an individual seat lesson.

Friday–Saturday: After breakfast, there will be a Q&A session and theory tailored to your interests.
Usually, you’ll ride a dressage lesson in the morning and a WE session in the afternoon.

Sunday: Departure after a lovely trail ride around the property. Departure around 11:30.

Theory Lessons
Each course includes at least one theory session. Topics may include:

The Horse’s Movement & Gaits: What happens in the horse’s body during different gaits? What do they look like, and how do they feel under saddle?
The Rider’s Influence – Seat, Focus, and Timing: How to minimize the use of aids while riding.
Lateral Movements – Shoulder-in and Haunches-in: What benefits do these exercises offer the horse? What do they look like, and when should they be used?

Accommodation & Food

The Farm
Katarina and her husband Claes also run a farm with about 300 hectares of arable land and 100 hectares of forest. Most of the land is cultivated organically. The crops include grains, legumes, and forage.

Adjacent to the riding arena, in addition to the stables, there is a kitchen, dining room/cafeteria, and simple accommodations where guests share showers and toilets. There are three double rooms, an annex with two single rooms, and a small cottage on the farm with two beds. Sheets and towels are provided in the rooms, but guests make their own beds. There is also a wood-fired sauna and hot tub.

Food
Breakfast is self-served from the fridge. Lunch and dinner consist of well-prepared meals, usually vegetarian, cooked on-site. Wine is available for purchase with dinner, but you’re also welcome to bring your own drinks if you prefer. If you get hungry between meals, there is always coffee, tea, and sandwiches available for self-service.

In the riding arena, there is a viewing gallery where you can watch and learn as others in the group ride. If you’re feeling cold, a speaker system allows you to sit inside in the warmth while still being able to see and hear what’s going on.

When the weather is nice, it's wonderful to sit on the large veranda and look out over the property and the horse pastures.

Horses

Lusitanos

These Portuguese war and bullfighting horses, bred to serve humans for thousands of years, have inspired many beautiful words—one description goes something like this:

"The Lusitano is spirited yet humble, strong yet supple, brave yet safe—but above all, it is special and reliable. That’s why the Lusitano is the perfect horse even for beginners to feel safe and comfortable with."

Most of the horses are imported from Portugal. There are about eight horses used in the riding program, along with a few young horses and boarders. The farm offers horses suitable for both experienced riders and beginners. Lessons are held individually (seat lessons), in pairs (dressage), or in groups of three (working equitation).

The horses are around 150–160 cm (15–16 hands) in height and of a more compact build, primarily used for working equitation. All of them know how to perform leg-yields, shoulder-in, and haunches-in, and are easy to ride in collection.

Travel Information

Ability descripton: Dressage level 1-4

Included in the price:
Week program: 5 nights, 5 days riding (9 sessions), 2 teori lessons and full board
Weekend program: 3 nights, 4 days riding (6 sessions), 2 teori lessons and full board

Not included: Flights, transfers, insurance, drinks and extras not mentioned.

Travel: Fly to Arlanda and then bus for about 1 hour to Enköping via Uppsala. Bus timetable UL
Or train from Stockholm C to Enköping: with SJ

Transfer: It is possible to book a transfer from Enköping (approx. 11 km). The cost is 250 SEK per person for a round trip and is paid in cash on site.

Arrival: Week program: Arrival around 6 PM for a welcome dinner.
Weekend Program: Gathering in the afternoon between 1:00–2:00 PM for a first dressage session around 3:00 PM.

Season: All year, certain dates

Single room: Can be booked for a supplement. For price click on "Book on request" under Dates & prices. If there is an uneven number, one person will get a single room at no extra cost.

Group Size: Min. 3 max. 6 (can be 8 if two people bring their own horses). The first seat session is always ridden individually for 30 minutes, 2 people/lesson in dressage and 2-3 people/lesson in working equitation.

Currency: SEK

Credit card: No. Cash or bank transfer

Wi-fi: Yes

Electrical outlet: EU-standard

Age limit: Min.10 years old with parent.

Weigth: max 80 kg

Pool: No, but wood-fired sauna

Dog: You are welcome to bring your own dog, but it must be on a leash. Please let us know if you would like to bring a dog.

Riding equipment to borrow: Some riding helmets are available to borrow. However, we recommend that you bring your own.

Special diets: OK but it is important that you inform us when booking.

Feedback from our travellers

A warm and welcoming atmosphere
Such a friendly and familiar feeling from the very first moment. It truly felt harmonious. Everyone we met at the stable – even those not directly involved in the program – was kind and inclusive. An exceptionally competent, educational, and dedicated instructor. The theory sessions and the hands-on groundwork with the horse were incredibly instructive. We just wanted more!
Ylva Westerberg

Fantastic horses and a valuable learning experience
Wonderful, sensitive, and friendly horses. A great instructor who maintained a clear thread throughout the lessons. It was easy to feel confident while learning so much that our brains were overflowing on the way home. The entire trip was amazing and enjoyable. Good food, lovely people, wonderful horses, and everyone at the farm was incredibly sweet and helpful. I didn’t want to leave.
Veronica Sjödin

A new dimension of riding
The accommodation was accurately described on the website, so I had reasonable expectations – and was pleasantly surprised! I was introduced to a completely new dimension of riding, fantastically interesting and left me wanting more! Positive, well-schooled, sensitive horses that were excellent teachers! Very warm and personal atmosphere! All my expectations were met!
Anna Hammarbäck

Professional instruction and homemade food
Delicious homemade food; you were never left hungry. Skilled instructors and a great indoor arena. Professional approach, with a genuine effort to accommodate each participant’s needs and wishes. Very well-planned program, and kind, dedicated organizers!
Karin Borell

Inspiring and educational course
I felt very welcome. A great program starting with seat training in the first riding session, and clear explanations on how to ride the Lusitano horses at the farm. I got to feel the effect of my aids and received great guidance on how to improve them. An inspiring and educational course. The whole operation was infused with genuine interest in and knowledge of Lusitano horses.
Anita Teleman

A dream for horse lovers
It was cozy staying above the stable, with a view of both the indoor arena and the paddocks. Excellent riding instructor. I learned a lot in just three days. Both the dressage and Working Equitation sessions were fantastic. Amazing horses – gentle, well cared for, and fun to ride.
Linnéa Liewen

Connection and progress in the saddle
Tasty homemade meals. Enjoyed all the shared meals – time for reflection and horse talk. After 30–40 years of riding, I finally learned how to sit correctly on the horse with subtle aids. It was fun to try Working Equitation – the horses clearly enjoyed it. Everyone was very caring. I am extremely satisfied.
Elizabeth Sandberg

Joy and inspiration in every riding session
Well-prepared and tasty meals, including desserts and fruit. Fun lessons, excellent instructor. Lovely horses with just the right level of training for what we wanted to work on, and the WE sessions were a lot of fun. Everyone was cheerful, positive, and helpful. I’d love to return.
Lena Nielsen

An unforgettable riding experience
We were welcomed already in the parking lot, and as soon as we entered the house, we felt a wonderful, positive, and warm atmosphere. Katarina cooked delicious soups for lunch and served tasty, varied dinners. Educational, clear, and encouraging. The earpiece system was brilliant – we could fully focus on the instructor’s guidance. I learned more in four days than during an entire term at my regular riding school. We had never heard of Lusitanos before, but now we are completely smitten – if we ever buy a horse, it will be of this breed. Very pleasant, fun, ambitious, and friendly horses. We want to come back as soon as possible!
SussiQ Susanne Hamilton

New knowledge and insights in riding
High quality in both theory and riding. Knowledgeable and positive instructor with a great structure throughout the days. Very beneficial to try Working Equitation. I gained an incredible amount of new knowledge and a better, more empathetic way of riding! Fantastic, well-trained, and well-cared-for horses! Great attention to horse welfare! Many new insights and tools that I will continue to use in my riding!
Carita Henning Landstedt

"Book on request" means that we cannot confirm your booking immediately, but we will get back to you as soon as possible with a booking confirmation, normally within 24 hours on weekdays.