Ride Overview
Come for a day or stay for a week – Vitor Silva’s riding program at Sons of the Wind Farm in MA is a rare find indeed. It’s nearly impossible to get upper level training on highly schooled horses here in the USA – we challenge you to find it! So we were thrilled to meet and train with Vitor on his incredible Lusitanos.
Why is the program so amazing? First, you can ride horses trained through PSG and GP – and they all move perfectly with strong toplines and impulsion without the “quickness” you sometimes see in this breed. Second, Vitor can put your horse on long lines so you can focus solely on yourself and truly experience the movements and how it should feel in your hips, legs and upper body. And third, you can enjoy small group (2-4) intensive lessons daily for as few as 3 days or as many as 5 days – this program really offers you the best of all worlds.
Dates: April through November. Independent transportation is required.
2023 Rates: Choose from Three programs:
Classical: Designed for students that are new to dressage or interested in focusing on the basic skills.
Professional: Designed for upper level riders and/or trainers and includes lessons in long lining and work in hand.
Competitive: Includes a complete analysis of riding skills and a detailed plan for competitive success. Good for all levels.
3 Day Program: $1,240.00 USD per person in a shared room. (Single Supplement: $100.00 USD) Runs Tuesday-Thursday or Thursday-Saturday.
Includes 2 nights accommodation on site, 6 semi private lessons, daily breakfast and all local taxes. Guests have full access to the well stocked kitchen.
5 Day Program: $2,110.00 USD per person in a shared room. (Single Supplement: $120.00 USD) Runs Tuesday-Saturday.
Includes 4 nights accommodation on site, 10 semi private lessons, daily breakfast and all local taxes. Guests have full access to the well stocked kitchen.
Extra Nights (3 Day program): $125.00 USD per person in a shared room or $175.00 USD per person in a single room.
Extra Nights (5 Day program): $115.00 USD per person in a shared room or $145.00 USD per person in a single room.
Non Rider Fee: $60.00 USD per day if auditing or $115.00 USD per day if staying in a room with a rider.
***Special Notes:
– If arriving the day of your first lesson, you need to arrive between 8AM and 8:30AM and be ready to ride by 9AM.
– If arriving a day prior to your riding, check in time is between 4:00-7:00PM and we request your estimated time of arrival.
– All reservations require full non refundable payment for confirmation. Once reserved any date changes (one allowed and not within 4 weeks of departure) are charged a $150.00 fee. Rescheduled dates must be within one month of the original travel date requested (one date change request allowed).
Included
- 2 riding sessions daily
- Accommodation onsite
- Breakfast
- Horse and all tack
- Instruction
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Transfers to/from the farm
- Lunches and dinners
- Gratuities at the end of the stay
Jody C.
Just got home tonite after 3 days with Vitor and Maggie. It was totally mind blowing.
What a super immersion – physically and mentally challenging.
I’m happy to take home what I have learned and work with new skills and focus.
Thank You Thank you for encouraging me in that direction.
H. S.
This was an amazing experience. Anyone serious about improving their dressage should skip Portugal and go to MA instead. This was my daughter’s first dressage exposure. She was doing piaffe without ground assistance by the time we left.
Just prior to leaving for Vitor’s, my new instructor put me on her GP horse to learn piaffe and passage. When I told Vitor I had done those movements and then demonstrated, he really pushed me. About 1/2 way thru, he let me ride his competition horse to do one tempis Vitor pushed me past my expectations. Successfully did one tempis, canter pirouettes, almost every Grand Prix movement. His lesson horses are outstanding.
My wife had kind of plateaued in her riding and was content to just hack around. After three days in MA, she’s enthused again. She has ridden everyday since we returned and has me watching and critiquing.
We are looking forward to more training with Vitor, thank you again.
Patrick L.
I spent three great days with Vitor and his team from Sons of the Wind this early summer – my first time and I did not regret it. The location, horses, accommodation and Vitor’s teaching were all top notch. I particularly loved the fact that its in a small, almost family like setting and that Vitor himself gives all the lectures and lessons. And the lessons on the long line are just a great opportunity to focus on the so important seat, the breathing and overall posture. I highly recommend Sons of the Wind, even for experienced riders.
Deborah S.
The quality of the riding instruction and schoolmaster horses was top-notch! Vitor is truly a master that has the capability to improve riders of all levels. The quality of the accommodations was also excellent!
My horse has noticed the improvement in my seat and aids, and she is saying “thank-you”. I would recommend Sons of the Wind to anyone who seriously wants to take their riding skills to the next level, whatever that may be for that individual.