What a great ride!

The ride took place near Covilhã, a medium size town at the bottom of Portugal’s biggest hill – Serra da Estrela - about 300 km north from Lisbon.
I arrived at 9.30 and meet my ride companions and horses. We quickly and carefully tacked the horses and soon the ride started…

The weather was sunny and hot. The expected program was riding for about 3 hours to a small village called Quintãs make a pause for lunch and for the horses rest, and returning following more or less the same trail. So it would be an about 8 hours and 40 kms ride!!!

Our horses were all Portuguese Crossbred, very fit, strong, nice, quite and with stunning paces. I was riding our guide TREC competition horse called Luso, a 15 years old chestnut with Alter Real and thoroughbred blood… an absolute walking sofa, with the loveliest mood!

The first kilometres were done slowly so everyone could get aware of the horses, trail type and each other’s horse riding skills. We headed along small country roads, harvested fields and crossed the river – Zêzere – one of Portugal main rivers, here still small near its spring, but a big river down south when it joins the important – Tejo. The horses stopped for a drink!

We continued uphill now with some fabulous trotting and cantering, crossing vineyards, and apple trees full of apples that the horses stopped to eat!

Arrived to Quintãs, we crossed the village to the water fountain where the horses had another drink and it was time to give them a rest, and for us to eat something tasty!

After a wonderful lamb roast with the best home made French fries I had in years, was time to tack and head towards home, not without giving some more apples to the horses.

The afternoon turned a little cloudy and the temperature was lower and that really helped making all more comfortable for horses and riders. The option was going mainly at walk and enjoying the views and the beautiful sunset light!

We arrived to another little village and stopped again so the horses could drink. On the open fields near home we did some more wonderful cantering, and Luso even allowed me taking some pictures while riding in his absolutely amazing canter!

Once we arrived, it was time for the very well deserved bath and feed time for the horses. They were the greatest!

It was an outstanding day!!!