As always, In June, July and August, our programme starts much earlier – at 8.00am – and finishes later – around 8.00pm -so that we can ride when it is at least a little cooler!
There will be Full Moon rides on Monday, 26 July and Thursday, 24 August to the beach area and along the mud flats stopping for dinner at the Tropical: watching the sun go down over the sea and then return home under the full moon.
On Wednesdays we will continue the Half Day Ride Out through the Ludo Valley to the A Colina restaurant for a swim and lunch and on Fridays there will be a ride across the mud flats and towards Faro Beach.
Pony Club
As you know, we have been running Pony Clubs for our riders over 8 years old for a number of years now. This year we have decided to run three different levels of Pony Club to suit all our younger riders. For the older and more advanced rider, there will be a Riding and Jumping Club (pink level) on Tuesday afternoons. For the blue level riders, the Pony Club will continue on Thursday afternoons and for our junior and novice riders, we are introducing a Junior Pony Club on Friday afternoons. All Pony Clubs will run from 2.00 – 6.00pm and cost €50 per person or 1 unit off your card plus €15. This will ensure that we can provide many more activities for all our younger riders to enjoy.
Other events in the calendar
In July, for our Birthday Party, planned for Sunday, 25 July, we are organising a Gymkhana with Riding Classes for all levels of riders. Look at our website for more details.
For our very young riders, there will be a Teddy Bearīs Picnic during Junior Pony Club on Friday afternoons, taking them on a walk through the woods and stopping for Honey sandwiches. And, for those who have never ridden before, there will be an Introduction to Riding on Wednesday mornings.
If you are going to be in the Algarve either of these weeks and would like to take part, please email us for the programmes –
pinetrees.riding@world.net.pt
or look at our website at
www.pinetreesridingcentre.com
RDA Gymkhana
he end of May once saw our Riding for
the Disabled riders showing what they
can do and how much they had improved during the year to family and friends.
All of the riders shone on the day but it was Daniel who, as Best of the Year Rider, took a lap of honour on Teddy before everyone enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch in the sun.
ABRS TESTS
Once again during the summer, there will be opportunity to take some ABRS tests. On passing you gain an attractive diploma and this is a great way to evaluate your progress.
The ABRS Progressive Rider Tests are specifically designed for this purpose, by providing a logical and progressive system of training through a structured programme of realistic stepping stones to achieve their equestrian goals – both in the saddle and on the ground. The Equitation Tests begin with the most basic aspects of learning to ride, progressing through to lateral work and dressage. While, the Stable Management Tests cover the key aspects of horse care and management. You can see the contents of the tests on the ABRS website for “weekly rider tests” (
www.abrs.org
)
Each tests costs €3.75 plus €3.50 for the examiner. You will also need a horse .... which will be €35 or one unit off your card.
Tests will be run throughout July and August ... keep an eye on our website for further details
HORSEY NEWS
linta Safira has gained condition and has settled in well as part ofthe Pinetrees team. She is a safe but forward going pony andprovides an enjoyable and popular ride for our many youngsters.Her name means īThe Flameī in New Zealand Maori and she is a German sports riding pony. Alinta completes the team of four ponies at Pinetrees “Pony Park” ensuring that kids can have fun learning on suitable, well trained ponies.
Another new boy on the yard is... Falcão ...which means Falcon. He is about 11 years old and of unknown breeding although there is definitely some Arabian in there. He is tall but was very underweight and lacking muscle on arrival. However, having been wormed and had his teeth attended to, he is now on 4 feeds a day and hay ad lib and is gaining body weight. He seems to be a pleasant ride out and has had a reasonable schooling in the past, can jump, but now needs to build up the correct muscles and learn his new job.
There are only two problems, however, not only is he a Bonaparte look alike but he farts frequently and even louder than him!
Local Childrenīs visits
Pinetrees sometimes receives visits from groups of school children who enjoy meeting horses for the first time.Sometimes these children have special needs or come from underpriveleged homes. They see where the horses live, how they are fed and basic horse care. It is important to also give them the ground rules of how to approach and touch a horse and recognise basic body language. Some children are timid, some excited on arrival but they all go away happy and feeling they have acheived something.
One recent group, consisting of underpriveleged children originally from Cape Verde, Romanian and Portuguese families, begged to be able to ride so were invited back to try a horse riding, helped by a team of volunteers. This was followed up by squash and cakes to complete the morningīs activity.
Festa da Pinha
At the start of May there is a traditional event held in the Ludo Valley when lots of Portuguese people on horseback and horse drawn carriages come from Estoi village to picnic and party under the pine trees. Traditional dress is worn and the carriages are decorated with palms and flowers. This year we rode over and took headcollers and joined the party. If you are thinking of coming over next year in early May remember this event could be something you could join in.
ABRS trip to Tomar and Golegã
Bev is organising her fouth trip for fellow ABRS members in September , from 13th to the 16th . Non members are welcome to join so if you fancy a few days to get to know the Ribatejo look at the programme on our website...
www.pinetreesridingcentre.com
A TRUSTED NAME IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Apple Construction was set up by Kate and her partner Luke about a year after they moved to the Algarve. The family decided to make the move from the hustle and bustle of inner London for a more outdoor life in the sun. They brought over machinery from the U.K to enable them to cover a wide range of services, from general building works to pool construction, roofing, patios and driveways. When Kate isīnot busy taking rides out at Pinetrees or doing household and family activities, she is involved in the business answering emails and typing up quotes! The Algarve Resident quoted Apple Construction as being “an established and trusted name in the construction industry across the Algarve”... “offering reliable and high quality service at affordable prices”.
Kate and Luke hope to branch into the New Build sector in the near future and are looking forward to spending many years to come with their young family in the beautiful Algarve.
THATīS ALL OUR NEWS ... IF YOU WANT ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, JUST LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE ON
www.pinetreesridingcentre.com, send us an email on
pinetrees.riding@world.net.pt
or give us a call on 289 394 369 / 919 363 190
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THIS SUMMER
Bev and the Team at Pinetrees
