Hippikos - a Horse-lover's Fairytale!

I am on the come-down from a great week in Portugal, and reality has set in - I am starting college tomorrow! I am only excited to go back to studying, as I do enjoy school but only when it doesn't interfere with my horses and riding. Now, however, I am making the conscious decision to not let it interfere, because I will have everything so well planned that it will be very hard for things to fall apart again. Just look at this timetable I just made...

What could go wrong with such
high quality organisation! :P

Before everything jets off at high-speed with college, the horse's arriving, and competitions, I will fill you in on Hippikos, a horseworld fairy tale in Portugal. As I mentioned before, Wiola Grabowska of Aspire Equestrian Riding Academy and blogger of Freelance Instructor's Diary has moved to Portugal to follow new dreams and open the door to more exciting opportunities with her teaching and involvement in the equestrian world. She quite honestly has a dream job, with her desk overlooking the indoor arena. How cool is that!

Wiola's office... Wow!

And if three lessons isn't enough, there's always tennis!

Wiola and I have known eachother through our blogs for a few years, and when we both ended up in Portugal at the same time, it seemed a fantastic chance while I was on holiday and didn't have any responsibility to do anything, to travel up to Porto to finally meet in person. She is exactly how I'd imagined, enthusiastic and passionate about horses, riding, and the future of the equestrian sport. It is so comforting to meet people like Wiola and also the owner of Hippikos, Antonio, who share the same compassion and understanding of horses as you do. They are the people that do it for the love of the horse, not for the money or fame. They are the people that treat the horse with respect and appreciate them for the animal they are, not a machine to make money with.
Along with the humbling, like-minded people, Hippikos as a place ignites a special feeling in anyone who walks through the gates. It is an escape from the stress and anger of the oustide world. Only peace is found in Hippikos, where the horses are all bright-eyed and pricked-eared, extremely well cared for, and trained with patience and compassion, even with novice riders on board. The trainers there have a gift of making even the most novice rider look at peace with their mount.

Outdoor jumping arena

Meals are eaten at complete leisure, with over an hour being taken for lunch and dinner to last anywhere past 11pm or midnight. Time is taken to enjoy the amazing four-course traditional Portuguese meals, to have conversation with riders from all around the world who have come to holiday with the horses at Hippikos, and to drink the wine that is made right there on the property from their own vineyards. Full of good food and wine, and in a perfect temperature of a Portuguese night, an amazing night's sleep is to be had, ready for the three lessons of dressage and jumping the next day.

I only had time to ride one horse when I was there, a gray Lusitano. We did piaffe and passage. Yup, first time on the horse and with a completely new trainer, and we were there just going along in piaffe. That is how well-schooled these horses are. Anyone who gets to spend a week here with three lessons a day on these horses will be in heaven, and will learn more than they could ever imagine. The best way to learn is to have an experienced horse who is willing to show you the way, and give you the feeling. At Hippikos, it is certain that will happen.



Stables for the dressage horses

My mom is set on going back to Hippikos for her own little riding holiday, and as for me, the first chance I get to give the horses a week off, I'm there!


Stunning indoor school with a lovely breeze

Gorgeous church just across the road,
a vineyard in the backyard!

Lovely warm indoor pool, complete
with sauna and massage table