France - Jumping and Cross Country Tuition

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Sample Itinerary
The course begins on Monday at 9am, and is designed for 1 to 4 riders, with approximately 4 hours of riding each day. To complete the programme successfully, riders are expected to be in excellent physical condition.

Mornings from 9am to 12pm
This training programme focuses on improving the riders position, particularly the 'stand up' position, by developing good balance while practicing these basic gaits on flat ground and over jumps. It emphasizes achieving harmony between horse and ride by mastering control of the horses balance during changes in direction, gait and speed, as well as adapting to different types of jumps. Riders will also work on jump approaches using varied trajectories, adjusting balance depending on the type of jump (eg vertical or oxer), choosing the correct lead upon landing, and practicing flying changes when necessary. By the end of the programme, riders will be prepared to jump a course of 8 to 10 obstacles.

Afternoons 4pm to 7pm
This program includes jumping sessions either in the arena or on the cross-country course, as well as relaxed outdoor riding in the forest or on the beach. Practical exercises focus on improving the riders position while mastering control of the horses gaits and directions, especially when jumping natural fences and navigating varying terrain.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There are 25 horses of all types available, ranging in size from 15.3hh to 16.3hh. The majority are Anglo Arabs with some throroughbred and standardbred horses. 

The saddles are all English with deep seats and are comfortable and well maintained. The horses are schooled in an English style and are very responsive. 

This ride is for fit experienced riders onwards.

Mineral water, hats and chaps are available, but we recommend you bring your own.

Strong intermediate to advanced with high level of riding fitness

The weight limit for this ride is 187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The accommodation is in the on-site guest house 2 minute walk from the Equestrian Centre and 8 minutes by car from the beach. The guest house has a swimming pool for riders use.

There is one guest house with 4 B&B rooms by the swimming pool offering single/double/twin and a family suite with 2 bedrooms. There is one wooden cottage dormitory with 2 bathrooms for 6 riders beside the swimming pool. There is also one annex with 3 B&B units for 1 to 4 riders + sauna + massage room. There is also one independent house with 3 bedrooms for 1 - 5 riders, 1 bathroom, a large kitchen, living room, a private terrace and enclosed garden. The rooms are small and neat and each room has an en-suite bathroom. 

Please note that during busy periods dormitory rooms may host up to 5 people although it is is possible to book a single room on most dates. Supplements will apply - please enquire. In the event that more than 3 people are sharing a room, each person will receive a rebate on arrival.

The food on the ride is simple, but plentiful.

Breakfast is continental with juice, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, fresh breads and croissant, butter and preserves. Lunch is 3 coirses and usually taken seated around a table, starting with an aperitif, various dips and tortillas and cold meats/sausage. Main couse is a salad with meat (e.g. tabouleh with chicken) and a cheese selection, followed by dessert and coffee with chocolate/biscuits. Dinner is similar affair to lunch with an aperitif, meat, vegetables, salad, cheeses, dessert and coffee course.

Unfortunately vegan meals cannot be accommodated.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

The best time to visit this region is from March to November. The Landes region and trail almost always have dry days and when rain falls it is usually in the evening, overnight or before 9am in the morning. This is due to the local sea breezes. Riding is in the extensive shady pine forest or along the beach making for a pleasant temperature even in summer. At the height of summer in late July and August the riding is done early in the morning and the hours before sunset.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in France and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.


Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

The emergency phone number in France is 112. If you need to contact other emergency services, call 15 (medical), 17 (police) or 18 (fire).

No special health precautions are required for visits to France, for further details please see your local doctor. We do advise taking plenty of sunscreen!

In France the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

There is electricity to charge batteries, however we recommend that all necessary equipment is bought with you or purchased upon arrival in France. You should check with your network provider for mobile phone coverage while in France. If using a GoPro ensure to get the group's permission to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best
- Long sleeved shirts
-Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone

Can be provided by hosts:
Riding Helmets

8d / 7n programme with 6 riding days. Set dates throughout the year.

2025: Every Sunday March to November
Low season: Nov - Mar
Mid season : Apr - Jun; Sep - Oct
High season: Jul - Aug

None if willing to share a room

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The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France - Ina Caro

Theodore Zeldin ‘The French’,

Francoise Sagan ‘Bonjour Tristesse’,

Peter Mayle ‘A Year in Provence’ and ‘Toujours Provence’,

Louis Stevensons ‘Travels with a Donkey’ and

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback, visit www.thelongridersguild.com. An excellent source of equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com  

New Yoga & Pilates classes are available to help relax after a day of riding (book in advance, please enquire)
Massages 30min €30, 45 min €45 & saunaThe many other activities available in this area include cycling on miles of cycle paths, tennis, water sports such as surfing, catamarans, canoes, swimming, walking on the beach and golf. Non riders with a rental car can explore these options.

France is easily accessible from most of the UK and offers a large amount of space and variety of regions to explore. The weather in the south of France is almost always warmer than the UK. It is very rider friendly with miles and miles of open space and off road tracks to explore.
The region of Landes: « Les Landes » is the second largest department in France (9 250 km²), and has 337,012 inhabitants, a mere 36.4 inhabitants per km². It is home to the Gascogne forest, the largest forest in Europe. The main administrative town of the department is Mont de Marsan. More than 93% of the land is used for agricultural purposes (244,000 ha) or is forested (632,000 ha). It is also home to 250km of protected dunes and beach fronts of the Atlantic Coastal Reserve.

The French wrote the book on la vie en rose and gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Eiffel Tower. It is a country steeped in history. Staggering monasteries and castles dotted all over the country are a reminder of a turbulent and often violent past, especially in the Carcasonne region where the Gnostic Christian organisation the Cathars, held fast against a crusade launched in the 11th century by an angry and vengeful Catholic church for over twenty years. Despite their vow of non-violence they had a strong support base, including the Knights Templar, and their name often pops up in the legend of the Holy Grail. The French character has undoubtedly been influenced by their past, today they are a proud and patriotic people famed for enjoying the finer things in life and displaying a great generosity in their willingness to share their country with the millions of visitors they receive each year. Food is very important in French culture, almost a passion. Families eat dinner together late in the evening and their diet is usually very healthy, packed with home grown fruit and vegetables. You will hardly ever see anyone eating on the street; if you do chances are they're not French! France is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for France is +33.