Equestrian Holidays Ericeira Portugal | Lusitano Horse Finder

CLASSICAL DRESSAGE LESSONS

CLASSICAL DRESSAGE LESSONS

We provide Classical Dressage Lessons both ridden and Ín Hand´ on quality trained Lusitanos. We like to keep our lessons fun and focused solely on you and the horse so all lessons are individual unless requested otherwise. Our aim to ensure you have a positive and rewarding experience that you can carry on with your own horse.

All lessons are with Nuno Cavaco a truly classical trainer that trained with many classical master in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. See his website.

In fact many students after training with Nuno like to maintain their work and we provide skype lessons as a perfect way to progress your learning when you go home.

Your Options are –

Individual Classical Dressage Lessons – contact us to book a lesson
In hand lessons
Courses combining just riding or in hand and riding
Holidays – We are happy to arrange accommodation for you and your friends and family. The area is wonderful for riders and non riders with plenty to see and do.

CLASSICAL DRESSAGE LESSONS

NUNO CAVACO

Nuno is a highly experienced classical rider and teacher who has been in the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art for 25 years. He is a kind, sensitive man with a good sense of fun. He brings these qualities to his teaching and has a great deal to offer you in helping advance your riding skills and develop a greater partnership with your horse.

Teaching image Nuno Cavaco

Levade

Image Nuno in the School

During his time at the Riding School Nuno traveled extensively throughout Europe giving shows and displays. He has gained huge experience in riding many different horses. An added bonus is that Nuno’s equine knowledge extends to veterinary and during the shows he was responsible, along side the main vet for the care and well being of the horses. Of course this extra knowledge really adds value to his training methods and awareness when working with horses.

See Nuno´s website

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY

Learn more about Nuno´s work

ABOUT CLASSICAL DRESSAGE

Classical dressage is the oldest style of classical riding, it evolved from early training of cavalry movements for the battlefield, and has since developed into competitive dressage, we see today. It is the art of riding in harmony, balance and lightness and it requires that the rider has a good seat, correct and well-balanced position, gives the aids correctly and at the correct time and moves with the horse´s movement.
The art of classical riding developed from the natural abilities of horses in the wild when watched in play, courtship and fight. The suspended collected and highly atheletic movements inspired horseman to learn to produce them on commend during riding developing them initially for the battlefield. The horse and rider became highly effective and dangerous adversaries in combat. When the battles ended the riders maintained and perfected the art for performance, the royal courts, shows and bull fighting. This wonderful form of equitation is firmly fixed in the roots of Portuguese equestrian activities especially within the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, in the shows, displays, the bull fighting arenas and the rapidly growing sport of working equitation. The Lusitano horse is naturally build for collected work with incredibility to perform highly depending and precise dressage exercises.

Our Location – Mafra & Ericeira

We are in the wonderful region of Mafra just 35 minutes from Lisbon. Our stables are on a farm on the out skirts of Ericeira very close to the beaches. We have fabulous views to the ocean and to Mafra Palace in the distance. The charming fishing town of Ericeira is an eclectic mix of tradition and bohemian. Everyday the blue and red painted fishing boats come into to the little harbour deliver their fish to the markets. You buy fresh fish daily and the restaurants serve many outstanding fish dishes. particularly the shell fish is delicious and famous in the area.

Lovely cafes and restaurants are tucked away on the little cobbled streets light at night with fairy lights, hanging lanterns and candles. The architecture is unspoilt – houses with bright blue features and wonderful traditional tiling that you will see everywhere. Little white churches and a lovely centre square with a bandstand. The people are a mix of fishermen, locals, surfers from all over the globe here for the famous surfing beaches and tourists. The seafront is half moon shaped with a beautiful walk lined with restaurants and bars to enjoy dining to the sunset. There are regular markets and events to enjoy and 8 beaches are associated with the town. Certainly check out Foz de Lizandro that has a beautiful estuary.

Mafra

Mafra is also a beautiful town with an outstanding Mafra National Palace that dominates the centre and can be seen for miles around. It has the largest library in Europe. It is very Harry Potter ish! Also close to Mafra is the Tapada Nacional de Mafra.

It was created during the reign of king João V, following the building of the Mafra National Palace, as a park for royal and court recreation.

Covering over 8 square kilometres, the park holds different species of deer, wild boar, foxes, birds of prey and many others coexisting in an unusually rich and diversified natural habitat. A favourite of the Portuguese monarchy for hunting and other leisure pursuits, the Tapada de Mafra took on a noble connotation that has done much to aid its preservation and continuity.

Its natural heritage ensures it is an excellent location for fun environmental awareness and education programmes. The Tapada is also open for walking, mountain biking, horse riding, archery and crossbow shooting activities.