Portugal 2025

Are you 18 years or older and dreaming of an exotic getaway that combines horses, sunshine, vineyards, exotic cuisine, exploration, adventure, and wellness all into one? Look no further!

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Discover the charm of Northwest Portugal, where the picturesque tiled buildings of Esposende meet the sandy beaches of the Atlantic in this exclusive new Global Amateur Tour (GAT) ADULTS ONLY training experience. 

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Whether you're focused on improving your dressage or show jumping, this GAT training experience caters to all skill levels, offering exceptional riding instruction on top-quality sport horses led by an internationally renowned team at some of the finest facilities in Portugal.

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Enhance your skills with daily clinics, including a relaxed training show, and expand your equestrian knowledge through expert-led seminars on mental skills, course walking, yoga, and more.

 

Between training sessions, explore the stunning city of Porto, visit some of the famed vineyards, a Lusitano breeding stud, and take in the breathtaking scenery of Northwest Portugal’s National Park.

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Want to join the tour but aren’t a rider? No problem! We have spectator packages available so there is something for everyone.

 

Tour Location: Esposende, NW Portugal 
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Tour Date: June 13-21st, 2025
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Tour Length: 9 days 

The Tour Includes 

 

• 8 nights accommodation including daily breakfast and lunch on all training days

• 6 days of training (including dressage, jumping, and working equitation)

• A training competition

• Full-day sightseeing at the National Park including a trail ride and canyoning experience

• Porto river cruise

• Wine tour including tastings

• A spa and wellness package 

• A beach trail ride 

• Visit to a Luisitano breeding stud 

• Welcome and Farewell dinner

• Seminars with industry experts

• Other optional recreational activities 

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Age criteria: 18 years plus
Experience level: Any 
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About the tour

 

The coaches:

Ensuring that you will get the absolute most out of your time spent with us here in Portugal, we have put together an international team of top instructors and chef d’equipes.

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This includes head coach, Portugal Equestrian director executive Bruno Barros, who holds a Master's in Sports Science and was the former coach of the Portuguese Youth Olympic Games team, GAT co-founder Lucy Olphert, a World Cup show jumper and trainer along with an international team of top instructors and support staff with specialists in working equitation, dressage, and jumping. 

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The facilities: 

Daily training will be held less than 10 minutes from your accommodation at the meticulously maintained state-of-the-art facilities of Hipico Norte. Their facilities offer an unparalleled environment for both horse and rider and features

• 3 indoor arenas

• 2 outdoor arenas

• On-site bar & restaurant

• Recreation areas

 

The horses:

• Dressage Horses up to Prix St. George level

• Show Jumping Horses up to 1.30m

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The training and activities:

• Riders will receive daily training with our world-class coaches, as well as the chance to compete on their borrowed sport horse in a fun and relaxed training show

• Seminars with industry experts, including mental skills, course walking, and more

• Rider fitness sessions to help you improve your fitness and posture in the saddle 

• Spa and wellness package to relax and restore vitality. 

• Sightseeing opportunities include the magnificent city of Porto, a wine and river cruise, a vineyard tour, visiting a Lusitano breeding stud, canyoning, and trail ride in the National Park

• Other recreational activities are available, such as surfing, kayaking, and more.

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The location:

The training stable is located in Esposende in the north of Portugal. Strategically situated between Porto to the south and Vigo in Spain, Esposende is a serene beachside village that offers a unique blend of tranquility and cultural heritage. 

 

Famous for its culinary diversity, and stunning sandy beaches, Esposende offers a wealth of activities and culture all year round for non-riding partners and families, with many traditional restaurants famous for their seafood, bars, and live music. There is truly something for everyone!

 

The village is also an excellent base for exploring the larger region. The Natural Park of the North Coast – a large area covering around 1,200 hectares and famous for its wetland areas and beautiful coastal dunes. Porto, one of the oldest cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, lies just 25 minutes south and is a remarkable tangle of historic streets and alleys. The traditional barcos rabelos (flat-bottomed boats) bob at the foot of the hillside, down which medieval buildings, Rococo façades, and Gothic churches tumble.

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The Accommodation: 

Our hotel is in Esposende, just a 9-minute drive from the stable and within walking distance of the city centre. It has an excellent restaurant, bar, and pool on-site.

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The logistics: 

The base package includes hotel-style accommodation in a standard twin-share room (single and superior options available at additional cost) 

 

Our tour Chef d'equipe will assist the selected riders throughout the trip. The GAT team and our official travel partners can provide administrative support with flights, accommodation, insurance, etc before the event. ​

 

Rider cost:

• USD $7249

• The price estimate excludes flights and travel insurance and includes, accommodation, horse lease, horse transport, training competition, stabling, airport and venue transfers, included sightseeing activities (winery visit, river cruise, walking food and wine tour, spa day, national trail ride, Lusitano stable visit), some meals (daily breakfast, lunch on training days, welcome and farewell dinner), plus accompanying Chef d'equipe.

• This cost is based on current charges and exchange rates and is an estimate only

 

Supporter cost:

• USD $3999

• The price estimate excludes flights and travel insurance and includes, accommodation, some meals (daily breakfast, lunch on training days, welcome and farewell dinner), airport and venue transfers, any included sightseeing activities (winery visit, river cruise, walking food and wine tour, spa day, Lusitano stable visit) plus accompanying Chef d'equipe. 

• This cost is based on current charges and exchange rates and is an estimate only

 

Terms and conditions:

• Riders and official supporters must all be aged over 18. 

• A full list of tour terms and conditions can be provided on request, this will form part of your pre-travel documentation to be signed before departure

• Dates are approximate and subject to change

• All selections for the tour are at the discretion of the Global Amateur Tour

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If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact the GAT Team or check our FAQ PAGE.  

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We also offer a range of other training and competition tours, check out the full tour program HERE.