Ride itinerary - Horses, tack & riding experience
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INTRODUCTION TO OUTDOOR RIDING

Day 1 - Sunday
Meeting point at the riding center late afternoon.
Dinner and night in hotel.

Days 2 to 5 - Monday to Thursday
The first days are dedicated to the discovery of the horses: their way to communicate, their individual and collective behaviour, with the other horses and with humans. Next, we learn more about the daily cares the horse needs (grooming, food,...). Then, we learn about tack, how to saddle, unsaddle...
After that, we will begin riding in the arena, in order to get used to the three gaits, walk, trot and canter. When we are confident enough, we go for rides in the pine forests and on the beach.
We will also learn the different elements we need to know to prepare a trail ride : read the map, use a compass, ride in group outdoor...
Breakfasts, dinners and nights in 2* hotel. Lunches are not included, so we can discover the numerous restaurants and local food around the hotel and riding centre.

Days 6 and 7 - Friday and Saturday
For two days, we leave for an itinerant ride on horseback.
Half-board accommodation in 2*hotel.

Day 8 - Sunday
Departure after breakfast.

 

TRAINING AND TRAILING

Day 1 - Sunday
Meeting point at the riding center late afternoon.
Dinner and night in hotel.

Days 2 to 7 - Monday to Saturday
The aim of this training program based on flatwork and jumping is to find the harmony between rider and horse. We will try to improve our balance for a lighter, more flexible and effective contact between the two partners. Each exercise is suggested depending on the level of the rider and the horse.

Every morning, between 9am and 12pm, we ride in the ring. First of all, we work on the positioning of the rider, well-balanced on his feet, at all gaits on flatwork, then in front or after a jump.
We improve the balance of the horse and rider on changing directions, gaits and speed, then on different types of jumps.
At the end of the week, we jump a course of 8 to 10 jumps to practice what we have learnt during the week.

Every afternoon, from 3.30pm to 7.00pm, we go for a relaxed outdoor riding in the forest or on the beach. These trail rides may give the opportunity to practice the lessons taken in the morning as the rider will have to adapt his position and control the gaits and directions outdoor, jumping natural fences and coping with the changing ground.

Breakfasts, dinners and nights in a 2* hotel. Lunches are not included, so you can discover by yourself the different restaurants and menus suggested in the area.

Day 8 - Sunday
Departure after breakfast.

FLEXIBLE RIDING STAY

In family or with friends, we suggest you a 8 days flexible stay with accommodation in a 2* hotel and horseback riding sessions (6 or 8 two-hour long sessions).
You can either choose to get some lessons to improve your riding skills or go for a ride outdoor, on the beach or in the forest.

Horses Our horses are mostly Anglo-Arabs. Many of them were born at the farm. They are used to living in herd and to trail riding. They are lively, safe and good-balanced. Tack We use English tack. You cannot come with your own saddle. Saddlebags are provided so you can take your small personal belongings on horseback during the day. Riding level The introduction to trail riding is open to beginner or novice riders. The training and trailing program is open to riders low intermediary to advanced level. The riders must be in excellent physical condition. The flexible riding stay can be adapted to all types of riders, beginner to advanced, as homogenous groups are created each week.

Useful information
Unacompanied children are welcome from 13 years old.
Maximum weight : 95kg
Non-riders are also welcome. Many activities are possible for them around the hotel and the riding centre.

Accommodation
Our riding center is located 400m from the Atlantic Ocean and in the heart of the pine forest.
You will stay in a 2* hotel, half-board accommodation, in double room with private bathroom.
Single rooms available with supplement.

Meals
Lunches are not included, except for the two days ride at the end of the introduction to outdoor riding stay.

Introduction to outdoor riding / Training and trailing 2011
October to November	863 €	available

Introduction to outdoor riding / Training and trailing 2012
March	820 €	available
April to June	866 €	available
July and August	972 €	available
September	866 €	available
October to November	820 €	available

- Single Supplement : 140 €.
This single supplement applies to any booking of a single person. If you are willing to share and we do find another rider of the same gender to share your room, the single supplement will be refunded to you after the ride.
- Extra night in Single Room : 87 €
- Extra night in Double Room : 67 €

Flexible riding Stay 2011	12 hours on horseback	16 hours on horseback
October and November	613 €	692 €

Flexible riding Stay 2012	12 hours on horseback	16 hours on horseback
March	648 €	724 €
April to June	676 €	752 €
July and August	769 €	853 €
September	676 €	752 €
October and November	648 €	724 €

- Single Supplement : 140 €.
This single supplement applies to any booking of a single person. If you are willing to share and we do find another rider of the same gender to share your room, the single supplement will be refunded to you after the ride.
- Extra night in Single Room : 87 €
- Extra night in Double Room : 67 €

- the introduction to outdoor riding or Flexible riding stay as described - half board,
- lunches of Days 5 and 6 of the introduction to outdoor riding,
- Total and unlimited financial guarantee (APS) for all payments made to us (see "why ride with us ?"),
- Protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?").

- transport to and from the meeting point (Landes),
- lunches during the 4 first days (on the Introduction program) and all lunches during the flexible stay,
- drinks,
- personal expenses,
- any other service or optional visit entries, personal expenses
- tips,
- a tour to discover other regions of France before or after the trail (castle life, golf training, thalassotherapy spas...), see our "after ride proposals".
- optional insurances.

Introduction to outdoor riding
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback.

Equestrian family stay
8 days / 7 nights / 6 or 8 sessions (2h00 long) on horseback.

English / French speaking guide.

From 1 to 6 riders on the "Introduction to outdoor riding" program.
From 1 rider on the stay.

Meeting point directly to the riding centre (Mimizan).
On Sundays, a return transfer is organized from Bordeaux airport or Bordeaux train station (45€ per way, per person). Your train or plane must arrive before 12.00pm on Day 1 and leave after 2.00pm on Day 8.

The Landes region enjoys an oceanic climate, quite hot in the Summer, but the oceanic winds make it fresher in the evening.
In Winter, the temperatures stay mild.