Dressage Riding holiday in Europe in November

[michelin]

Hi all!
I'm trying to decide where to go for a week long riding holiday in November. I've previously been to Quinto Do Rol and Epona, and am looking for a place with intensive dressage lessons on advanced schoolmasters. I do want a place that you can stay on site, with Epona I found it a bit frustrating being off site and the commuting/down time.

My mom might also join as a non-rider so would like to find a place that is also comfortable for her and has some things do do some of the time while I'm riding.

I am considering just going back to Quinto Do Rol, but also considering Monte Velho (but review seem mixed as far as the lessons/crowding and quality of horses) as well as Pedro Neves at Quinta dos Pinheiros, but I haven't been able to see photos of the accommodations and am not sure how comfortable it is.

Any advice from anyone who has been to these places (or has another suggestion!) would be appreciated.

I'm looking for horses that I can practice more advanced movements on (piaffe, passage, tempis) and learn and improve and instructors that will help me progress. I currently ride 5x a week on a warmblood 3rd level schoolmaster

 

[Barlow]

Take a look at Morgado too - they are very used to catering for non riders, and it’s a lot closer to Lisbon than some of the others you mention. It’s about 30 mins by Uber from the city centre so you could always do some Lisbon trips around your lessons.
Monte Velho is generally good but is a victim of its own PR at times, pricier than Morgado and more rural.
Pedro’s is also lovely but the focus will be on WE trained horses - yes they have the moves but the style is different.
In November you may struggle depending on your dates as Golega horse fair is on then and. lot of the places close or do a special programme for that period.

 

[HollyWoozle]

If Pedro will fit you in at QdP then snap it up - accommodation is on site and comfortable, I've been several times and send clients (for transparency I run a business selling riding holidays). Monte Velho is mostly full for November now, poss a few days available at the start and end of the month but nothing in the middle. We have people rebook it before they've even left.

You could also consider Vale de Ferreiros or Lusitanos Riding Centre. Portugal Equestrian is fabulous but expect they are full now and accommodation there is not on-site.

 

[sportsmansB]

I've been to Pedro Neves and the room I had was really lovely, newly refurbished and quite classy, overlooking the pool.
The food is homely but great and plentiful, and there is an indoor if the weather wasn't playing ball at that time of year.
The horses were excellent with a good mixture for all levels and very well schooled.
It is very handy to Lisbon for days out, and Obidos is a beautiful hilltop town not too far away as well. Its not in the middle of things for your mum, depending on how self sufficient she is to go off by herself. They are helpful with lifts to train station etc, the town itself which is close enough to walk to hasn't lots going on as far as I could see. The Golega fair is in November I think, they would likely be booked up for that week.

 

[michelin]

Take a look at Morgado too - they are very used to catering for non riders, and it’s a lot closer to Lisbon than some of the others you mention. It’s about 30 mins by Uber from the city centre so you could always do some Lisbon trips around your lessons.
Monte Velho is generally good but is a victim of its own PR at times, pricier than Morgado and more rural.
Pedro’s is also lovely but the focus will be on WE trained horses - yes they have the moves but the style is different.
In November you may struggle depending on your dates as Golega horse fair is on then and. lot of the places close or do a special programme for that period.

Thanks! when you say style is different for the WE horses, can you help me better understand what you mean?

 

[canteron]

I loved Il Paretaio in Tuscany.
They did have some Grand Prix horses if you were good enough, but worth checking.
Also lovely hacking through the vineyards across the valley to neighbouring hilltop village where you could sample local wine, olives, cheeses etc

 

[ihatework]

I loved Il Paretaio in Tuscany.
They did have some Grand Prix horses if you were good enough, but worth checking.
Also lovely hacking through the vineyards across the valley to neighbouring hilltop village where you could sample local wine, olives, cheeses etc

Il Paretaio is a lovely place for sure but having been there and Monte Velho I’m afraid there is just no comparison in horse calibre, I got given one of the better horses at Il Paretaio and was still disappointed. The riding arena and surfaces are no where near as good either.

But I do prefer Italy to Portugal for location and scenery.