In January of 2009, I was fortunate enough to go to Portugal for a riding vacation to learn classical Portugese style dressage (French for horse training). I spent Saturday and Sunday touring Lisbon and the rest of the week at Quinta do Archino 45 minutes north of Lisbon where I had 2 riding lessons a day with D.Francisco de Bragança. I stayed at the farm in a guest room provided for me by Francisco and Maria. They were wonderful hosts. Francisco's horses are trained to a high level and enabled me to learn by feeling how a horse with that kind of training moves and responds. Francisco is a great teacher. He has a natural ability to see where a student needs the most assistance and provides it at just the right moment. The horses were also wonderful teachers letting me know when I got it wrong and when I got it right. Here is a video of me riding and a video of Francisco riding at a walk and canter. Big difference! That's why I take lessons - so I can ride like that someday. All and all a wonderful worthwhile experience.
