13 – 16 September 2010

TOMAR & GOLEGÃ

The Portuguese were our impeccable hosts to 16 members of the ABRS who enjoyed a well deserved break in the Ribatejo region of Portugal. The programme had been put together by Bev Gibbons ( www.pinetreesridingcentre.com ) and organised in conjunction with Patricia Guerreiro of Via P-G travel agents ( www.via-pg.com ) who had booked the spacious and comfortable Hotel dos Templários in Tomar for the 3 night stay. ( www.hoteldostemplarios.com ) Several of the members commentated on what a lovely hotel it is and very suitable for our needs. From the bedrooms you either looked up to the formidable castle or were on the side of the river. Most of us with rooms on the riverside were awakened by the guffaws of the local ducks. Somebody must have been telling them a good joke!

Tomar is a charming old town and on the first evening we enjoyed a short walk beside the River Nabão to an island and park to dine at the Sta. Iria Inn where we were well looked after. On the next day, Tuesday, we took the tractor train, together with Liliana our English speaking guide, to see the imposing Templars Castle overlooking the town and the river Nabão. A good dose of culture to get us away from horses occasionally is not a bad thing and this world-recognized historical monument amazed everyone.

The afternoon gave the opportunity to visit the Quinta de Azinhais ( www.quintadeazinhais.com , belonging to Sr. Rui Escudeiro and his family. This farm, named after the many holme oaks which surround the area, showed how diversification of incomes lead to more financial viability. Although not a riding school, their horse interest was in quality imported Belgium jumping horses, their breeding, competing and eventual sales. In addition they sell English horse boxes, produce beef cattle, sell power boats, compete in carriage driving, and the property is used for weddings and functions using outside caterers. Their property was architect designed and financed by E.U. Money.

This well-maintained property also boasts a collection of carriages. Luís -with the most gorgeous blue eyes - was on hand to take groups out for a carriage drive around the farm showing his driving skill with two beautiful chestnuts who regularly take part in driving competitions.

Perhaps the highlight for many was the wine tasting ( offered by Eng. Serreno) and sampling of local cheeses , hams and delicacies kindly organized by Rui and his wife. We will never forget, as the day progressed and more wines were sampled, Luís spontaneously singing Fado and delighting us all.

Wednesday was Golegã day. For many this was an introduction to this town which uses the horse as its main marketing tool. It is linked with Pardubici in Slovenia ( probably our next destination) and Warengem in Belgium. The first stop, a small museum to the horse, was to see an informative short 3-D film about Golegã and the surrounding area. This was followed by a visit through the nature reserve to neighbouring village Azinhaga, and the Lusitano stud farm of the famous Veiga horses, and meeting Sr. Manuel Veiga and his son. These beautiful buildings are just what you would imagine from an historic Portuguese Manor house. Sr. Manuel, in addition to showing us his magnificent horses, invited us to see his collection of carriages. Portugal has a grand tradition of carriage driving.

Golegã has also other cultural interests beside the horse and the Carlos Relvas chalet is a fascinating example of a unique and talented man who lived there in the 19^th century and was a photographer, bull-fighter, farmer and horse breeder and even invented a self-righting life boat.

An additional surprise on the programme was an invitation to join the mayor, Dr. Veiga Maltez and his team, at the municipal buildings for drinks before lunch and we received a very warm official welcome to their town.

After lunch a horse drawn carriage transported everyone for a trip around the town to the headquarters of the Equestrian Tourism Association and a demonstration by the junior regional team for working equitation. This traditional form of riding – as used in the countryside with the bulls – is carried out with traditional tack and clothes and is now a popular competitive discipline which makes good use of the national breed of Lusitanos to which the accurate and collected work, is well suited. Carl Dawson and Robert Francis (Gartmore) enjoyed the opportunity to try out two of the horses under the guidance of trainer Nuno. ABRS members were treated Royally in Golegã and this has fueled the desire in many to return in the future, whether for a training course or to visit the unique Horse Fair of St. Martinho held in November.

After busy days out and about (and still finding time for a dip in the hotel pool) two evenings were spent socializing in the bar and enjoying good food in the hotel restaurant.

One of the objectives on the trip is to Network, and the last evening in the hotel the group was joined by ABRS member Francisco Campeão whose riding school is at Colégio Vasco da Gama. Francisco had driven up from Lisbon to meet the members and those who had visited his school on the first Lisbon trip (Wendy Hawkes, Carl and Sharon Dawson). Two foreign residents in Portugal also joined the evening. Annette vaz Pinto and Jan van Vliet ( German and Dutch nationalities) enjoyed the opportunity to meet others in the horse business and to promote their Herdade de Sanguinheira ( www.sanguinheira.com ) which is a beautiful farm with stunning views and quality horses.

On departure day we all felt rested and re-charged and ready to go back to business. New friendships have been made and ideas exchanged that may help us in our business´. There must be few countries that can boast an association such as the ABRS which gives support and solidarity to riding school proprietors.

Bev Gibbons

PICTURES

First night dinner – Francis family in foreground (Gartmore)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Quinta de Azinhais

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rui Escudeiro, Bev Gibbons & Luís Ferreira

 

A Veiga stallion

www.cm-golega.pt

Carl Dawson & Robert Francis on horseback with trainer Nuno, and Dr. Vítor Vergamota, (President of the Equestrian Tourism Association) and James Francis ( Gartmore) at Golegã

Carl Dawson tries out a Lusitano