Ride Overview
Coralie Baldrey has been offering exceptional dressage training to riders of all levels for the past ten years. In 2015, she teamed up with Monte Velho, a distinguished Lusitano breeding and premier guesthouse operator, to make this experience even better. As the head trainer at Monte Velho, she is the crux of the energetic and creative team of trainers that result in many people going back each year to continue their training. Riders find her established training model, and that which is the guideline for the entire training team who coach you, to embody an easy style of teaching with clearly communicated concepts. Combined with the well trained horses a week here allows riders to make large strides in their development upon their return home.
A graduate of the famed Cadre Noir in Saumur, France, Coralie has a talent for working collaboratively with both horse and rider to help bring out the innate talent of each. Under her tutelage, the client trainers Nuno Neves, Bernardo Neves and Lorena Souza specialize in reaching riders at any level and helping them advance their riding by better communication with their horses. The horses are pure bred Lusitanos and they are trained through Grand Prix level. As a breeding operation, Monte Velho has several internationally recognized competitive dressage horses and recently, were honored with the chance to cover some Andalusions, bringing the breed even more depth and talent. On some weeks, guests may have the chance to observe Coralie training resident rider Joao Torrao, a member of the Portuguese Olympic Dressage team.
The Monte Velho stud farm, which is your base for the week, is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, an easy car ride from Lisbon. Monte Velho Stud Farm is famous both nationally and internationally for their breeding program of Lusitano horses. It is a common sight to see many of their progeny in the highest circles of competition in both Europe, Brazil and elsewhere.
The accommodation dates back to the Roman era and has been carfully and luxuiously added on to over the years. The entire structure is designed for comfort, maintaining integrity to the local roots and to showcase the wonderful views of the countryside. You will find your room to be comfortable, clean and tranquil – a perfect place to hone your dressage skills and then relax when not riding. Additionally, all meals are made and served on premise.
Your riding each day is tailored to your personal goals. Additionally, depending on the program you choose, exciting and scenic trail rides in the countryside are also available.
Whichever program you choose, the trainers and their team of willing and fun Lusitanos will give you a vacation to remember for a lifetime. We also offer a 3N/3D program.
2025 High Season: Jan. 1-4, March 30-June 28. Aug. 31-Nov. 15, Dec. 28-31
2025 Mid Season: Feb. 23-March 29, June 29-Aug. 30, Nov. 16-29
2025 Low Season: Jan. 5-Feb. 22, Nov. 30-Dec. 27
Program I: Dressage Lessons and Trail Riding:
2025 High Season: $2,910.00 USD (Single Supplement: $680.00 USD)
2025 Mid Season: $2,445.00 USD (Single Supplement: $530.00 USD)
2025 Low Season: $2,255.00 USD (Single Supplement: $455.00 USD)
This program features one dressage lesson in the morning and a 1.5 hour trail ride in the afternoon. It is designed for riders that feel comfortable at all paces.
Program II: Intensive Dressage Lessons:
2025 High Season: $3,215.00 USD (Single Supplement: $680.00 USD)
2025 Mid Season: $2,750.00 USD (Single Supplement: $530.00 USD)
2025 Low Season: $2,560.00 USD (Single Supplement: $455.00 USD)
This program features two lessons in dressage: one in the morning and another in the afternoon. One afternoon lesson will be substituted by a trail ride. This program is designed for any level.
Program III: Dressage Light:
2025 High Season: $2,470.00 USD (Single Supplement: $680.00 USD)
2025 Mid Season: $2,130.00 USD (Single Supplement: $530.00 USD)
2025 Low Season: $1,940.00 USD (Single Supplement: $455.00 USD)
This program features one hour dressage lesson daily. It is designed for any level rider.
Program IV: Trail Riding:
2025 High Season: $2,535.00 USD (Single Supplement: $680.00 USD)
2025 Mid Season: $2,070.00 USD (Single Supplement: $530.00 USD)
2025 Low Season: $1,880.00 USD (Single Supplement: $455.00 USD)
Trail rides (2 per day) are conducted at a leisurely pace but there are places for ample trotting and cantering. Trail rides are conducted to the level of the lowest rider.
Rooms are all Premium grade, based on availability. The following weekly deduction in price applies if choosing a standard room: High and Mid Season: $105.00USD Low Season: $150.00USD
Non-Rider (must share a room):
2025 High Season: $1,650.00 USD
2025 Mid Season: $1,440.00 USD
2025 Low Season: $1,250.00 USD
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 5 days of riding
- All meals
- Wine with meals
- Horse and all tack
- Instruction/Guiding services
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks outside of meals
- Airport transfers to/from the farm
- Gratuities at the end of your stay
Sample Week of Training at Monte Velho
Diane B.
We had a wonderful time at Monte Velho! We both enjoyed the trail rise and the lessons. We both worked on communicating clearly to the variety of horses we rode. Dianne worked on sitting straight up and shortening her reins and cantering. I worked on getting The horses collected and straight. On the last day I asked to learn the half pass, and was successful in all 3 gaits, which was great!
Then the instructor asked if I’d like to try a passage and piaffe!! Naturally, I said, ” sure!!! It was exceptionally exciting and fun.
Also, the facility was wonderful, as was the food. The only negative was that the weather was hot – in the mid nineties! Overall, we had fantastic time, and will highly recommend it to others!
Patrick L.
My third time in this fabulous resort and again it did not disappoint me. Although only 1.5 hrs away from Lisbon, you are in a totally different world: absolutely peaceful and stunning family owned location with horses to dream of. The instructors are top notch – all of them active Grand Prix riders. Add the design accommodation and the home made fresh, seasonal cuisine from the region and you have all the ingredients for a truly relaxing and unforgettable vacation. It also helps that you are not far away from Unesco World Heritage sites (e.g. Evora) and other places worthy to visit should you wish for a change of scenery.
John & Annie P.
The trip to Monte Velho was a great experience, one that we might repeat in the future, and one that we would recommend to friends.
We were impressed by practically all aspects of the trip. The rooms at MV are excellent. The cuisine is based on local ingredients and calibrated to suit busy days riding. It is terrific that the family’s own red and rose wines are offered with the meals. The staff, led by Diogo, are extremely helpful, and language is rarely, if ever, a problem. Diogo himself is always patient in trying to accommodate changes in schedules and special requests — we cannot remember how many times he re-did the riding schedule to fit in with special requirements.
When it comes to the riding experience, the Lusitano horses are high-level and well trained. Again, the team at MV tries its level best to suit the horse to the rider and to make a favorite horse available. Lessons are intense and trail rides relaxing. Some of the great experiences are riding for one and a half hours without leaving the property, trekking through water, and trying a canter across open fields.
Coralie is very much about competitive dressage and the German method of riding and Joao is an amazing, thoughtful guide to classical (and competition) dressage, and so all worked out well for us.
We had a great time, and would certainly consider taking a vacation at MV in the future.
Cynthia F.
The word that most comes to mind about the horses ant training I received from Coralie and Cendrine is IMPECCABLE!!! I learned a great deal and they both are eager to help you get it right in a very friendly and professional way and never lose patience with you. My seat and in hand lessons with Cendrine were excellent !! I hope to go back next year!!
I didn’t have cell phone service but was glad of it , really. It might be a good idea to let people know this might occur and to be prepared to buy a SIM card upon arrival.(for people who really rely on cell phone service. Also, I’d recommend people get a rental car at the airport. One can be rented for the same amount as using Tiago and they would still have the freedom. Tiago was wonderful, but there were a couple of times I would have liked to have one. I was reluctant to get one because I didn’t know what the driving, signs etc would be like. I could easily make out the road signs and the traffic was not really heavy.
I had a Wonderful time!!
Bob E.
Coralie is quite amazing- a great rider, a great teacher, and a great administrator- she runs a terrific program. The horses are quite wonderful, as are her grooms, sister Sandrine and friend/employee Michaela. We’re doing lessons in the am and riding out in the afternoon; we just got back from a short but fun ride up to the Castelo, but our other afternoon rides have been more extensive and really beautiful. We have different horses in the am and pm.
In the morning I’m riding a sweet anglo-lusitano mare, very sensitive and forward who is teaching me a lot, and an ex- bull fighting guy on the trail rides, nice enough. Leonor is riding a wonderful Lusitano stallion in the afternoon and she has pretty much fallen in love with him.
Arriolos is fun- we’re in the middle of the carpet festival and will probably bring a couple of them home- they are very beautiful. The Pousada is beautiful and the chapel is a real gem. If I had had my druthers however, I think it would have been nicer to stay in a guest house and eat more meals in the cafes and restaurants in town. The food at the pousada is not bad; it’s just a little bit monotonous. And the local cafes etc. have really good and interesting food. You might think about offering a package option with a guest house instead of the Pousada for those more inclined to be adventurous and not needing a really fancy hotel.
But keep Coralie whatever you do!
DJ L.
WOW!!!! I had such a great experience! Coralie was more than I expected. Her sister and staff we very welcoming and friendly. I got so much out of each ride. The horses were great and I will be looking at the breed when it comes time for my next horse.
We are planning to go back possibly in October. Mom really enjoyed her rides as well and wants to do it again. I got to ride Coralie’s Grand Prix horse and thought that I had died and gone to heaven! Lol. I had a lot of fun too, which was awesome.
Julie E.
I had a fantastic time with Coralie, Vasco, and her students. She’s really a fantastic fantastic teacher and I really wished I could stay longer. One week was NOT enough!
We have already recommended going there to several people because she is the first person ever to give lessons that really made sense, yet were very simply laid out in plain language.
The only only thing we would do different is the meal plan with the hotel. The hotel was beautiful and we had a room where we could see the riding school. However, the meals were HUGE. By Wednesday we were having lunch and dinner in the town with Coralie and staff where the meals were smaller, and less formal.
Now I’m just hoping to arrange some of my personal affairs so I can rebook to go back to Coralie’s!
Barbara T.
We had a most fantastic time. Coralie and her working student, Marcus were wonderful. The horses were the best so far and I felt like we left with a lot of new ideas and my trainer was most impressed that “I found my outside rein in Portugal.”
One of the highlights of our trip was that we opted to forego a lesson and went to watch Coralie’s lesson with Daniel Pinto, the trainer for the WEG Portugese team. He trained her and was so supportive and then we also got to watch him work her stallion. I then watched him on TV at the WEG so it was fun to point and say I’d met him. He was very cordial, answered our questions and was very complimentary of Coralie’s training methods. He implied that he thought she and her stallion would be qualifiers for the Olympics in 2016.
Needless to say everything was all we expected and more.
BB
We had a wonderful time at Monte Velho.
The facility is beautiful; food was great and the pool, jacuzzi and sauna were wonderful.
The horses are very nice and the instructors were very good.
We would both go back again.
Thanks for all of your help!
B. Lazaroni
Thank you for checking in – I am having the time of my life!!! The people here are wonderful, the instruction excellent, the lesson horses superb, the food delicious, the rooms comfortable and the scenery beautiful! I don’t think I’ve ever had such a wonderful vacation!
I would only recommend one thing, when independent women like ourselves tell you they’re taking the train from Lisbon to Evora, tell them DONT DO IT!!! Lol The ticket desk failed to inform us that there were several changes of trains along the way. Our first leg came to its end and the conductor kicked us (politely) off the train! Fortunately, Rita at Monte Velho immediately arranged for a taxi the take us to Monte Velho, so no harm, no foul. But we’ve learned our lesson!
Otherwise it has been splendid!
A. Brookfield
My trip to Monte Velho with Active Riding Trips was an unforgettable experience. Stacey made my last-minute planning a breeze, and checked in with me while I was away. At Monte Velho, the riding was spectacular, the horses well-cared for, and the property absolutely breathtaking. All our instructors were knowledgeable and structured our lessons so I felt that I made progress in each one. I highly recommend Active Riding Trips to anyone who wants to go on an equestrian adventure.