( HOLIDAYS )
something quite magical to do at night, riding by the light of street lamps just has to be done you go back in time by about a hundred and fifty years as horses and carriages trundle by and just about everywhere you look the mode of transport is the horse.
It struck me as I rode along the softly lamp lit streets, that Golega is a kind of extremely well behaved quiet boys night out for Iberian stallions, no mares allowed. As you see them all standing calmly, with a quiet dignity, at the bars, one can imagine them catching up with each other whilst their riders sip a glass of Ginjinha ….. ’have you competed much this year? …… how are the children doing… good hay last winter wasn’t it….. catch you later ‘ etc All remarkably well mannered, I can see where my little Iberian horse gets his sweet chilled temperament from very clearly indeed……
Sadly the Horse Disco, yes you read it right, ‘Horse Disco’, complete with flashing lights and music and TV screens was closed, so I didn’t get a chance to have a meaningful Piaffe with Carra Linda but we did attend a birthday party on horseback which is something I never thought I would do, can highly recommend, great fun. Singing ‘Happy Birthday’ we continued our ride through night time Golega. Always an adventure, you never know quite what is round the next corner, usually a horse. Antonio Pedro Costa is the one to contact for wonderful outriding in the Portuguese countryside, and for the magical experience of riding at Golega which is just totally unforgettable. Two more friends joined in the fun on the Thursday adding a few lessons with Pedro to their stay.
On the Saturday we set off in good time to get to our dressage lesson organised by ex-pat Marty Wheeler- Davison originally from the Isle of Wight, which was with Sophia Pinto at Quinta de Alorna in Almeirim, just 40 minutes outside Lisbon. It’s a very lovely yard with an impressive indoor school complete with viewing area and mirrors so if you aren't told where you are going wrong you can see it in your reflection. The journey there took rather longer than we had anticipated as the sat nav decided we needed to see each village in Portugal and circle it twice and navigate obscure single track roads before we gave up and rebooted it with stern words. Su and Karen took the first lesson and we watched them effortlessly glide round the arena on some pretty supersonic Lusitano dressage horses, obviously highly schooled masters of their craft. We waited in anticipation for our lesson, taking photographs from the viewing area of Karen piaffing beautifully and Su looking like she could just slip into a Grand Prix test at any minute. For this reason I kind of regretted playing down my riding ability but it is true, although I have rarely been out of the saddle since the age of five I am definitely a dressage novice so we were sensibly put on very forgiving horses, mine was a little ex bull fighter stallion called Delta, and Celia’s mare was Coinbra, both Lusitanos. Delta was definitely a horse that had his own mind, and I felt like a total novice as I tried to get him into trot, as Sophia’s
husband piaffed in the background I felt it was almost time for me to give up and keep goldfish, the effortless way he rode was beautiful to watch but I had to giggle at the contrast between my efforts and his. I was guided through how Delta liked to be ridden by Sophia Pinto, who I have to say immediately picked up on my wandering right hand which is making my own horse fall in to the left, for that alone she is worth her weight in jelly babies as it gave me a definite direction as to where I was going wrong at home and lots to think about. When Delta obliged me with a canter I have to say I didn't want it to stop, smooth as silk and I really felt we got somewhere. He high-lighted every fault I have in my ridden work, and for that reason it was good to have been put on him although I found myself mentally moving the viewing area further away! I wish that I had had more time for more lessons as Sophia is an extraordinarily well known and respected instructor and I feel that she could have sorted out my riding faults effortlessly, but time was limited. Marty organises riding holidays which include a four night stay with three classical Dressage lessons included with instruction by the talented Sophia Pinto in the fabulous indoor arena, details are on their website below.
So our equine adventure drew to an end, packing took longer due to the excellent shop- ping, one Portuguese riding cloak was purchased after another glass of Abafado… Once again I was so sad to leave Portugal behind, albeit a rainy one, and return to England and real life once more. Time spent with the best horses and people doing extraordinary things make the happiest memories ever and Carra Linda was the most beautiful guide to show me round both the Portuguese countryside and the town of Golega.
I got back home at 4 am, I went out to Durante’s stable to say hi as I always do, ‘Did you meet another horse’ he asked sleepily, ‘No’ I lied and gave him an early morning hello carrot.
Jo, Celia, Karen, Ella, Pedro and Su For more information visit:
www.equiliberdade.com
www.sunnyportugueseriding.com
www.lusitanosociety.co.uk www.sussexlusitanos.co.uk
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
55
Karen Wittington Su Middleton & Celia Wilkinson
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