This romantic and secluded estate in the east of central Italy promises pure peace and relaxation. Here you can unwind with wonderful star rides and trails. In addition, the farm has dressage horses trained up to high school level. In private lessons you can work on lessons such as the piaffe, Spanish walk and lateral movements, also on curb bit. Your hostess is a qualified trail riding guide, instructor for classical and American working riding styles, as well as an osteopath and physiotherapist for horses.
Beginners are also very welcome. Those who have a lot of experience and prefer to ride out will get their money's worth on the star rides. Extensive rides and trails to lead into the magical, completely untouristy mountain world of Abruzzo and all the way to the beaches of the Adriatic!

Itinerary

Abruzzo Star Rides (8 days)

A week of riding for advanced riders with wonderful rides and a day trip to the Adriatic coast, at least 18 hours in the saddle. You can spend your day off from riding at the beach (approx. 15 minutes' drive away), exploring one of the historic towns or visiting a winery.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer at midday (not included). Sparkling wine reception followed by a trial ride in the riding arena to get to know the horses.

Day 2: After breakfast, saddle up and set off on your first exploratory ride in the surrounding area. Discover the mountains of Abruzzo with ancient olive groves, vineyards of the regional Montepulciano and quaint little villages. Lunch at the farm, free time in the afternoon. Riding time approx. 2 hours.

Day 3: Today you will set off on a half-day ride through the gorges of Teramo. The trail is challenging in places, with small steep slopes to negotiate, and you will cross waterholes and see how varied and green the flora and fauna of Italy can be in these unspoilt gorges. The enormous biodiversity is reminiscent of the Amazon, and rare white truffles grow in this area! Another special feature of this tour are the ‘calanchi’, rugged crevices that impressively demonstrate the power of nature. Riding time approx. 3 hours.

Day 4: After a hearty breakfast, you will set off on a day ride to the Moro D'Oro viewpoint. Your first stop is a water tower, from where you can enjoy a 360-degree view in good weather: you can see approx. 200 km of coastline, as well as the Gran Sasso massif and the Majella mountains in the south. After a short rest, you will continue on towards Moro D'Oro. This small medieval town is perched on a rocky outcrop and can be admired from your saddle bags as you enjoy a picnic at a historic monastery. This ride offers wonderful views of the varied landscape thanks to the many ascents and descents. Riding time approx. 5 hours.

Day 5: This day is yours to spend as you wish. Relax on the beach (transfer for a fee) or take a jeep tour to the mountain plateau (approx. £45). There you will have the opportunity to observe wild horses, see the Apennines up close, drink directly from mountain springs and enjoy a sumptuous barbecue lunch. The excursion takes approx. 5 hours.

Day 6: Today it's time to get up early! Right after breakfast, you will saddle up the horses and set off on a ride to the beach. You will cross the hills of the hinterland to reach the river plain. There you will take a short break for a second breakfast at an Italian tavern. Then you ride along an old river bed, on ancient mule trails to an unspoilt beach. There you can let the horses gallop to your heart's content! For lunch, you make yourself comfortable under shady giant trees, then, well rested, you start the ride home, where a rich barbecue buffet awaits you. Riding time approx. 8 hours.

Day 7: Today you can take it a little easier. Enjoy a late breakfast of regional delicacies and then saddle up the horses one last time for a ride in the surrounding area. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool and in the spacious garden. Riding time approx. 2 hours.

Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to the airport by 12 noon (not included).

Abruzzo Star Rides with Beach (5 days)

Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrival and introduction, horse allocation and trial ride in the riding arena.

Day 2 (Thursday): Half-day ride

Day 3 (Friday): Half-day ride

Day 4 (Saturday): Day ride to the beach with lunch by the sea

Day 5 (Sunday): Breakfast and departure.

Dressage and trail riding week

This programme offers an intensive training programme up to advanced dressage, as well as a trail ride and a day ride in the mountains. 7 riding lessons in the arena and at least 6 hours in the countryside.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer/arrival from approx. 3 p.m. After a welcome drink, you will meet in the stables and prepare the horses for the first lesson.

Days 2 and 3: Today you will continue where you left off yesterday and have a riding lesson in the morning and afternoon on the well-trained horses.

Day 4: After breakfast, you will saddle up the horses and set off on your first exploratory ride in the surrounding area. You will ride through the typical hilly landscape of the Abruzzo region, through ancient olive groves, past the vineyards of the regional Montepulciano and through typical small Italian villages. You will be back for lunch and can spend the afternoon relaxing in the garden. Riding time approx. 2 hours.

Day 5: This day is yours to spend as you wish. Relax on the beach (transfer for a fee) or take a jeep tour to the mountain plateau (not included). There you will have the opportunity to observe wild horses, see the Apennines up close, drink directly from mountain springs and enjoy a sumptuous barbecue lunch on site. This excursion takes approx. 5 hours.

Day 6: One riding lesson in the morning and one in the afternoon. An additional ride can be arranged upon request.

Day 7: After a hearty breakfast, you will set off on a day ride to the Moro D'Oro viewpoint. Your first stop is a water tower, from where you can enjoy a 360-degree view in good weather: you can see approx. 200 km of coastline, as well as the Gran Sasso massif and the Majella mountains in the south. After a short rest, you will continue from here towards Moro D'Oro. This small medieval town is perched on a rocky outcrop and can be admired from your saddle bags as you enjoy a picnic lunch at a historic monastery. This ride offers wonderful views of the varied landscape thanks to the many ascents and descents. Riding time approx. 5 hours.

Day 8: Breakfast and transfer to the airport by 12 noon (not included).

Abruzzo Trail:

Day 1: Arrival and short trial ride with horse allocation in the riding arena. In the evening, enjoy a typical Abruzzo meal and discuss the tour.

Day 2: After breakfast, saddle up and go on a short 2-hour ride to get to know your horse. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool. Overnight stay and meals at the farm.

Day 3: Today's route takes you through the hilly landscape of Teramo. You will see both the sea and the mighty Apennine mountain range. You will cross the Tordino River and ride through small historic villages. For lunch, you will stop at a small trattoria and eat homemade pasta! In the afternoon, you will notice that the landscape is changing. The mountains are getting closer. In the evening, you will arrive in Roiano, where Filippo will have everything ready for the riding group. You will spend the night in a typical old farmhouse. End the day around the campfire with a glass of Montepulciano and homemade delicacies. Approx. 30 km on horseback.

Day 4: In the morning, the ‘Nonna’ of the house prepares a hearty breakfast. Then you saddle up and ride to your lunch destination, Rocca Santa Maria. A place where time seems to have stood still. After crossing the first mountain pass and enjoying breathtaking panoramic views above the tree line, you will stop for a leisurely lunch in the village centre. Meanwhile, the horses rest under the old trees.
Afterwards, you will set off for Ceppo, a former Italian holiday resort in the late 1970s. The place was then abandoned for decades and was only brought back to life three years ago by a group of young adults. In the middle of the forest, this place will be your base camp for the next few days. The horses are stabled in forest paddocks and you will spend the night in a restored refuge. The integrated restaurant offers specialities straight from the forest, such as porcini mushrooms, chestnuts and wild berries. Depending on the weather, you can enjoy culinary delights around the campfire or indoors by the fireplace on your first evening. Approx. 35 km on horseback.

Day 5: After breakfast at the chalet, you will ride through the beautiful forest towards a waterfall. The first part is a welcome relaxation after the previous day's climb. Then it gets trickier and you make your way through technically demanding terrain. But your efforts will be immediately rewarded when you reach the waterfall for your lunch break. A wonderful place that also invites you to take a dip. After a picnic lunch from your saddlebag, you will stay at the waterfall for a while before riding back to the chalet.

Day 6: Inspired by the waterfall from the previous day, the next highlight awaits you today: the 2,411-metre-high summit of Pizzo di Moscio! Once you have left the forest behind you, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view stretching over more than a hundred kilometres! You will encounter herds of sheep and horses that live here in a semi-wild state. After the challenging climb to the summit, take a moment to enjoy the silence. Then recharge your batteries with your provisions and capture these impressions for later in countless photos!
Even though you can't get enough of this panorama, you will set off again for the chalet in the early afternoon. There, the chalet operators will be waiting for you for a final barbecue evening.

Day 7: After breakfast, prepare the horses for transport home in the trailer. Everyone has earned a refreshing dip in the pool today! In the evening, a delicious farewell dinner awaits you.

Day 8: After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye.

Accomodation
You will spend the night directly at Riding centre in a cozy apartment (two double rooms) in typical style. A pool is also available to guests. The lounge and terrace invite you to linger. If the apartment is full, there is the option of staying in a 3-star boutique hotel approx. 3 km away (with half board).
On the Abruzzo Trail you spend 5 nights at Riding centre, 1 night in a simple guesthouse and 1 night in a mountain hut with a 4-bed room.

Saddle & Tack: Trail riding saddles or dressage saddle, depending on the program.

Experience: Trail riding and star rides: Advanced rider with cross-country experience in all gaits. Dressage & trail rides: also suitable for beginners. Rider weight max. 85Kg.

Horses: Half-breeds, thoroughbreds and Arabians, as well as ponies for children.