Jump & Trail in the Landes

Introduction
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.

Accomodation

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.

Riding

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.

Itinerary


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)

Rates and Dates for Jump & Trail in the Landes

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Mimizan
Airport: Bordeaux
Transfer: Bordeaux airport

Climate:
                                            Mont-de-Marsan area