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Last Update: 25 Jan 2012

Riding Holidays | Portugal

The obvious attraction when thinking of an equestrian vacation in Portugal is the fabulous Lusitano horses and top level classical dressage instruction. There are horse riding holidays all over the country but the best horses and instructors are mainly in the central area, the Alentejo or Alto Alentejo regions.

With its Mediterranean climate Portugal is a year round destination, easy to get to from the UK and so ideal for a week long riding holiday or a short break. It is warm and dry for most of the year. During July and August, the temperatures may rise to 30°C. In Spring and Autumn, (April, May, September and October) you can expect average temperatures of 18°C– 22°C, but it may be cool during the evening and rain is possible. During the summer it is unlikely to rain.

The Lusitano horse is compact, highly manoeuvrable, intelligent, brave and agile. The breed is hot-blooded, like the Arab and Thoroughbred. In fact the foundation stock for the modern Thoroughbred contained a considerable amount of Lusitano blood. The Lusitano is also a very attractive breed but has also been selected for countless generations for more practical reasons such as functionality in battle and, later, in the bullring. More recently they have proved their excellence in dressage, carriage driving and show jumping.

Most people choose Portugal for a dressage holiday and the chance to ride a schoolmaster capable of the high school movements such as piaffe and passage. However it is also possible to enjoy the Lusitano horses on a trail ride both in the Alentejo region, through the cork oak plantations and olive groves or along the blue coast or 'costa azul' where the beach riding is a popular option.