Hello All:

Misti Seppi, again.  I recently posted a discussion describing the week long all-inclusive riding holiday I arrange with the Valenca riding center.  This is an all inclusive group riding holiday with semi-private lessons.

However, I realize there are some people who would prefer private lessons, and a more self catered riding experience. 

Francisco Bessa Carvalho, his wife Ana and I have arranged self catered riding holiday at his riding center on the outskirts of Lisbon. (http://www.lusitanosbessadecarvalho.com/centre.html)

Francisco Bessa de Carvalho is one of the top riders and authorities on the Lusitano horses in Portugal (and the world) today.  He is a rider at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arte, he has bred, raised and trained Lusitano horses for over 20 years, he is an international clinician and a judge for the Portuguese Lusitano registry.   He is well versed in both Equestrian Art and competition riding (one of his stallions is competing at the Grand Prix internationally). 

Sr. Carvalho can improve anybody's riding from the beginner dressage rider through the FEI levels of competition. He has a unique ability to evaluate horse and rider and build up your skills step by step so that you progress as quickly as possible with great understanding of both your learning and your horse's learning process.

As a breeder and Lusitano judge, he is also an excellent resource to find the perfect horse for purchase.  He always has several beautiful horses for sale at his facility and is happy to show them off with absolutely no pressure to buy.  99% of his horses are tested free of Piroplasmosis and thus can be imported to the US and Canada.

As this is a self catered holiday, you have a couple of choices for accomodations. 

We recommend a small (but very nice) hotel near the center of Lisbon (just a few minutes from the airport by taxi, near Campo Pequeno).  This hotel provides a lovely breakfast.  Sr. Carvalho's wife, Ana, will pick you up every morning after breakfast and take you to the riding center.

or

We also recommend a bed and breakfast in beautiful and historic Sintra but you will need to rent a car to drive back and forth.  Sintra is very beautiful and fairy tale romantic.

Each day you will recieve a morning lesson taught by one of Sr. Carvalho's top instructors, and in the afternoon you will recieve a lesson with Sr. Carvalho. Each lesson is approximately 60 minutes long and you will be riding a beautiful Lusitano schoolmaster.  

In between lessons you will have lunch with the Carvalhos and some of their riders.

Following your afternoon lesson, Ana will drive you back to your hotel (if you choose to stay in Lisbon).

Each lesson is private and no more than 2 guests can be accomodated in any given week. 

The cost of the week (Monday-Friday) includes 10 lessons, transportation from the Lisbon hotel, and lunch. 

Ana Carvalho can arrange for you to attend the Wednesday exhibition at the Portuguese School of Equestrian Arte for an additional cost.  Exhibitions are held from mid April - Mid October.  This is a not to be missed experience. 

Sr. Carvalho is also available to teach riding/training clinics in the US.

Please contact me for more information at mrseppi@hotmail.com