Riding at Orthal
We can't promise Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp family around every corner, but you'll certainly know you're in the Alps. The towering mountains, the forests and green alpine pastures are a joy to ride through, especially in spring when there are beautiful wild flowers everywhere.
Unlike many mountain regions, the Asiago plateau is perfect for riding with over 400 km of wide tracks through the forest, many of which were built during the First World War by the Italians and British to get troops and supplies up to the front with Austria. They are perfect for cycling, walking and fast canters.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR AND GUIDE
'Maestro'
Massimo has lived in Asiago all his life and worked with horses for the
past 20 years. However he is famous in Italy not just for his horsemanship
but also for his ski-jumping. He represented Italy in international competition
for many years culminating in the Olympics. On his travels around the
world he picked up several languages, so don't be surprised if you hear
him teaching in Italian, French, German, English or Norwegian!
HORSES AND RIDING ABILITY
Orthal
horses are mainly thoroughbred types and all tack is English. To go out
on the daily hacks you will need to be riding fit and competent and confident
to canter in a group ride out.
The centre does not have ponies, so the riding holiday is only suitable for older children who are competent at walk, trot and canter out of the arena on small horses. Naturally all children are welcome to come along with a non-riding partner to enjoy all the other non-riding activities.
THE PROGRAMME
Sunday:
Arrive late afternoon at Venice Treviso or Venice Marco Polo Airport. You will be met by Nikki Clover or a member of the Orthal team and taken by mini bus up into the mountains to Asiago. Enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner with the rest of the group.
The programme is listed below as a guide. However what you do each day may be changed to suit weather conditions. It's not unusual at this altitude to be riding through clouds, or even above them!
Monday:
10am - assessment lesson in the arena. Followed by lunch. Then at 3pm a 1½ hour 'passagiata' (hack) in the local countryside. Dinner at the hotel.
Tuesday:
At 10am a 2 hour hack. Then lunch followed by a free afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Wednesday:
At 10am a 2 hour hack Followed by lunch. At 3pm a 1 hour training session in the arena. Dinner at the hotel.
Thursday:
Set off at 10am for an all day ride stopping for a picnic lunch in the forest. Dinner at the hotel.
Friday:
Morning free. Lunch. 3pm - 1½ hour 'passagiata'. Dinner at the hotel.
Saturday:
Morning free to visit market in Asiago. Lunch. 3pm - 1½ hour 'passagiata'. Dinner at the hotel.
Sunday:
Breakfast and check out. Minibus to airport.
+44 (0)20 8904 3964
