The Perfect Horse Riding Holiday in Portugal

What a fantastic location! Everything you would need is here, and although there is a lot to see and do around the centre, you don’t really need to leave! This is also the perfect horse riding holiday for groups that have non-riders who want to join the fun.

It is always a pleasure to visit our suppliers’ venues, and particularly special when hosting a group. In a way it was like wearing two hats. Firstly, as a representative of Unicorn Trails to check that every detail of the ride was up to our standards and that the information we provide our clients is correct, and also (and nearly as importantly), as a riding fanatic who couldn’t wait to get into the saddle!

Getting there

There are two options available to get to the ride centre from Lisbon airport. The first is by car, which is expensive largely due to high fuel costs and numerous tolls on the roads, but the drive is beautiful. The driver monitors any flight delays and waits for you with a sign displaying your name just outside the exit. If you have trouble finding them (it is a very busy airport), it’s easy to contact the hosts, and the driver will come and find you – I had this exact issue, and he located me within 5 minutes! The drive takes around 1.5 hours.

The second option is by train. Tickets cost around €12 (€19 for first class). I took the train on my way home, and it was super easy. Abrantes station is about a 5-minute drive from the centre, and they are happy to assist with the transfer. I recommend using the app to book your tickets, as the staff at the station speak limited English, and purchasing tickets there could be challenging if you don’t speak Portuguese. Trains are often delayed, so keep an eye on the board—the scheduled time is shown on the left, and the adjusted time (‘Novo Hora’) on the right, which often changes! It’s best to take the IC train as it’s direct. The journey takes around 2 hours, arriving at Lisboa Oriente station. From there, you can take a quick metro ride directly to the airport, or grab a taxi for around €4. However, taxis can take some time as the area around the airport is often very busy.

Accommodation and Meals

The equestrian centre is located near the old traditional village Pego, approximately 150 km from Lisbon in the central Portuguese region of Santarém.

There are several accommodation options available and guests can choose from private cottages equipped with a kitchenette, or rooms that come with everything they may need. Some rooms have balconies that offer a lovely view of the area. All accommodations are very comfortable, fully equipped, and cleaned daily while guests are out riding. Toiletries and all towels (including pool towels) are provided. Rooms can be set up as either double or twin. There’s an honour bar in the room and in the outdoor lounge, restocked daily, and tap water is always available.

I had the opportunity to inspect all of the accommodation options, and they were all of the same high standards as the room that I had been allocated. There is also a lovely swimming pool that is always open, but in bad weather, the seats and parasols are removed from around the pool and guests are advised not to swim.

If choosing a self-catering option, be aware that there are no shops on site, but the staff will happily arrange a transfer for you if you don’t have your own transport.

The centre is very much an ‘open door’ policy. Guests have the freedom to come and go as they please and are provided with a key to the outer door. There is always access to tea and coffee-making facilities, and the staff soon got to know our habits and had the tables set at the exact time we would make our way over each day. Most guests opt for half board, enjoying breakfast and lunch on-site, and then exploring the local restaurants for dinner.

And talking of food, there is a copious amount with a lot of variety! The menu is given to you daily to select your meals. Breakfasts are normally continental with a selection of croissants; toast; pan au choc; cheeses and hams; marmalades and preserves, but they will also prepare eggs etc if requested. Lunch is a 3-course affair with starters such as soups, pâté and cheeses, mains of delicious salads and different pastas, followed by dessert and coffee. Wine is served with lunch and dinners.

Riding

Upon arrival, Caterina at reception let me know the time for my first ride. After that, Fernando (the trainer) organised my riding schedule, always checking that it worked for me. The stables are about a 10-minute walk from the accommodation and include numerous stalls, a jumping arena, a dressage arena, a lunging area, a covered arena, a competition arena, and a viewing area.

Fernando assesses each rider’s ability to match them with the right horse. For example, the lady I rode with was very nervous, and he catered to her perfectly. I rode a spirited grey horse named Bob (not his real name, as it is apparently unpronounceable!). Later, I even had the opportunity to ride a private client’s horse, which normally only Fernando and the client ride!

It is worth noting that the dressage horses are ridden with double reins. If you’re not expecting it, or lack experience, it could unsettle some riders. Spurs are used depending on the horse’s needs. Interestingly, the staff were surprised when we offered to tack, untack, and groom our horses, though they were happy to let us do it. It’s not something most guests typically offer to do!

The available disciplines include Dressage, Show Jumping, Working Equitation, and trails. Riders can switch between disciplines at any time. I participated in both dressage and trail riding, and it was so much fun! Our trail ride lasted around 1.5 hours and took us around the old town and down through the River Tegu. Fernando knows the area well and happily imparted his knowledge of the local flora and fauna.

Horses and tack

Nothing speaks more about a supplier (and helps create a perfect horse riding holiday) than the condition of the horses, and I was happy to see that all the horses were outstanding and in superb condition. Although the paddock ground was very dry with little grass, each horse had plenty of hay and feed buckets available, so there were no concerns at all regarding their care. The tack is equally impressive. I had a thorough look around the tack room and inspected everything, and it was all meticulously maintained.  The stabled horses are kept in spotless stalls, and the areas around the school and stables are regularly maintained.

Despite being busy with administrative duties while his daughter was on maternity leave, Vitor, the owner, made sure to visit the stables at least three times a day. He spent at least an hour there each time, checking in with the staff and ensuring the horses were well looked after.

Apart from his horses, Vitor is very proud of his Cork trees that are all around the property. New trees take 30 years before they can be harvested, and then a further 9 years before they can be harvested again. Also, a point of pride is the olive trees that surround the stables. The home-produced olive oil can be bought at the centre, along with wines, soaps and other merchandise as a memento of your perfect horse riding holiday.

In Conclusion

The staff go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome and at home. To check that this special experience wasn’t uniquely tailored to me as an agent, I made a point of gathering feedback from other guests, and there were no negative comments and lots of praise.

Having been on numerous riding holidays in the past (and having high expectations), I couldn’t think of anything that could have been dealt with any better, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have visited such a professional horse riding operation.

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Unicorn Trails specializes in creating the perfect horse riding holiday for all levels of rider. Whether you are interested in the Dressage, Show Jumping and Trails ride in Portugal, or maybe exploring further afield, we have over 300 rides across 58 counties, ensuring that there is a perfect match to your needs.

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