Jump & Trail in the Landes Landes France The goal of this clinic is to improve jumping skills and to help achieve harmony between rider and horse: whilst focusing on balance we use a light contact, which is soft, straightforward and most effective for both the rider and its mount. We also aim at making the horse attentive to the rider's commands and allowing participants to confidently tackle various jumps. We provide an understandable and reliable training method with simple, clear and effective actions. Our lessons can be followed by any competent rider willing to learn more. The program includes flatwork and jumping lesson in the morning and rides out in the afternoon to discover the beautiful Landes region. Riding Clinic Meeting: Mimizan Airport: Bordeaux Transfer: Bordeaux airport Riders: Min 1 riders Max 6 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Bordeaux Mérignac Airport (BOD) or Bordeaux train station. Pick-up is scheduled for 4:00pm on Day 1 of the trip, and drop-off at the airport is around 11:00am on the last day.

Riding lessons are taught by a certified instructor with over 40 years of experience and numerous results in competition with his students at a national level.
Riding groups are kept small (between 1 and 4 riders).

Things to keep in mind:
- A rider needs to be in balance in order to clearly communicate with the horse.
- There is no good Jumping horse without good basic training.
- There is no good Jumping rider without understanding of the locomotion and respect of the horse.
- One of the most important aspects of this clinic is navigating between the jumps rather than jumping. 

During your stay, you will ride from Monday to Saturday, starting with lessons in the morning (usually from 9 or 10am to noon) and going on trail rides in the afternoon (usually from 4 to 6 or 7pm). It is also possible to exchange the afternoon trail rides against more work in the arena.



Lessons' objectives:
1) Improving the rider's jumping position at the 3 basic gaits on flat ground, approaching and passing over jumps.
2) Looking for harmony between horse and rider: learning to work on the control of the horse balance, better managing changes of direction, change of pace and change of speed and in accordance with the different types of jumps.
3) Better approaching the jumps using various trajectories and working on reception on the right foot (change of foot work).
4) Jumping a course of 8 to 10 jumps (less than 1 meter high) by the end of the training program.



Trail rides (in the forest or by the beach) provide a great way to relax and allow for some exercises on the rider’s position. During these outings we can also put in practice exercises to better control the pace and direction while jumping small natural fences (also coping with changing grounds).

It is possible to arrange private and/or more advanced jumping lessons (jumps higher than 1 meter) for an extra fee. For the advanced jumping lessons, you will first need to be evaluated by an instructor, so the fee is paid locally (about 150 euros for the full week).
In case you want private lessons, the supplement needs to be paid in advance. Keep in mind that the lessons taken in the arena will be private, but you will still join the group when going outdoors (different groups are created depending on rider level).



Non-Riding activities - inquire for extra cost
- Tennis
- Bicycle
- Swimming pool
- Numerous water sports 
- Yoga
- Wellness (sauna & massage)

                                            Mont-de-Marsan area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	11	13	16	18	22	25	28	28	25	20	14	11
Average Low Temperature (°F)	1	2	4	6	10	13	15	15	11	8	4	2
Average High Temperature (°C)	51	55	61	65	71	78	82	82	77	68	58	52
Average Low Temperature (°C)	34	35	39	42	49	55	59	58	52	47	40	36
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	11	9	9	10	10	7	6	6	6	9	10	10

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The Landes climate could be classified as oceanic-temperate, with moderate temperatures in both winter and summer. There are on average 2,000 hours of sunshine per annum. The nearby Atlantic Ocean has a major effect on the difference between day and night temperatures. You should be expecting cool nights, even in the summertime.

The best time to visit is between April and October, excluding the months of July and August which can get very crowded and hot. June is a very good time to visit, while September and October are also good months to visit. Winters tend to be wet and mild.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Comfortable riding jeans or jodphurs

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Sleeping bag (July and August only)

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Flashlight

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Sheets and towels are provided at the guesthouse. The riding center provides saddle bags.

During your stay, you will have several occasions to swim so please, keep your swimming clothes in your saddle bag!

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Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying at the same location every night.

Description
You will be staying at the guesthouse beside the riding center. We can accommodate up to 17 people total.
Our guesthouse is divided into 3 buildings:
- the main guesthouse building has 4 bedrooms with ensuite facilities.
- the guesthouse's annex building has a big dormitory (capacity of 4-7 people) and 2 shared bathrooms
- the family guesthouse has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom
The guesthouse has an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi access. Laundry can be done for an extra fee.



It is possible to add yoga classes, a relaxing massage or a sauna session for an extra fee, paid locally (please inquire).

If we do not have enough space, riders will stay in a hotel in Mimizan Beach or at another guesthouse close to the riding center.

Room Occupancy
We charge a single supplement fee for solo travelers not willing to share a room with another rider.
If you would like to guarantee a double/ twin/ single room, additional costs apply.



Meals
This package includes half-board (breakfasts and dinners) but dinner is not included on the first night.

Breakfast is served at the guesthouse before we head out on our rides.
Dinners are served either at the guesthouse or at local restaurants. We try to offer as much variety to guests as possible.

You can choose to pay for lunches locally (about 26 euros) or you can upgrade to full board for an extra fee.

1/4 liter of wine or soda and coffee is provided during dinners. Other drinks need to be purchased locally.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegan diets.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English saddle
Horses:		Anglo-Arab and Selle Francais
Pace:		About 4 hours per day at a moderate pace | Walk | Trot | Canter | Jumps |
Level:		(3 to 5 out of 5)    Intermediate to Advanced
Age:		Min 17	Max 65
Weight:		Max 190 lbs / 85 kg
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 6 riders

In order to fully benefit from this clinic, we ask riders to be in excellent physical condition before their stay.



Horses 
We have 30 horses (mostly Anglo-Arabs) and 5 ponies. Most of them are born in our family farm.
Beauty, blood, intelligence, frankness, kindness, and generosity are the essential qualities we seek in the choice of our horses. Our horses are safe, brave and easygoing; well trained and very well-balanced. They horses live in herds in the outdoors. We take great care in providing horses with a good quality of life.

Staff
Guidance is guaranteed by qualified /certified equestrian guide of tourism (French professional certification: A.T.E., CQP ASA or BPJEPS Tourisme Équestre) having good regional knowledge and willing to let you discover the beauty of this area.

Children
Participants as young as 12 years old can join the ride as long as they are accompanied by an adult. From 15 years old, participants are welcome to join the ride non-accompanied. There are no discounts for children.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.