Travel: Classical dressage Tuscan style

TRAVEL

Classical dressage Tuscan style

Tuscany. What’s not to love? Add some classical dressage, and your Italian adventure will be truly magnifico, writes MATHILDE GREGOIRE.

Australians have welcomed the end of border restrictions for vaccinated travelers with a sigh of relief. After two years of lockdowns, many of us are eager to embark on adventures we’ve been putting off – perhaps one that includes horses, great food, and a touch of poetry? If you’re a classical dressage enthusiast looking for a relaxing holiday in a historical European location with instructors who have extensive horsemanship skills, plus enjoy breath-taking landscapes and incredible cuisine while you’re there, Italy may just be your ideal riding holiday destination.

The origins of classical dressage

Did you know that Italy is credited for reviving classical dressage during the Renaissance? Many people believe the discipline began within Vienna’s famous Spanish Riding School. However, the origins of dressage can be traced back to 4th century BCE Greek Military Commander Xenophon and his treatise On Horsemanship. During the Italian Renaissance, Napolese noblemen revisited the works of Xenophon, and combining his principles with their own, created a version of classical dressage now known as Haute École.

A hidden gem

Not surprisingly, Italy still boasts some of the most prestigious classical dressage schools in the world, and Il Paretaio is one of Tuscany’s hidden gems. Nestled in the rolling hills of the picture-postcard Chianti region and surrounded by vineyards, the riding school, with its delightful farmhouse accommodation, offers a high standard of riding on well-schooled horses. The property is home to over thirty horses, including Lusitanos, Arabians, AngloArabs, and Dutch Warmbloods, all of which have been selected for their ability and kind temperament.

The riding holiday program at Il Paretaio is suitable for equestrians of all levels. The school’s focus is on mindset and communication, with an emphasis on mutual respect between the horse and rider, both on and off the saddle.

Their gentle and ethical approach to training favors a pressure-release method, and points to the importance of relaxation in the saddle. Using tai chi and yoga to complement and develop the rider’s own body awareness, their focus is on promoting a deeper connection with the horse.

Experienced riders have the opportunity to learn and perform advanced dressage movements on schoolmasters. From piaffe to passage and Spanish walk, there is something truly poetic about riding a wonderfully schooled dressage horse with a dreamy backdrop of hills and olive groves as far as the eye can see.

What will you learn?

While most guests stay for one or two weeks to improve their dressage skills, many are surprised by how much they learn in a short period of time. In the intensive program, riders receive one to two hours of tuition each day, either in semi-private or individual classes. While some prefer to learn on different horses, others choose to ride the same horse over the course of their stay. Benefiting from highly qualified instructors who keep track of your progress, you receive valuable feedback and are likely to experience significant progress in a relatively short amount of time. A lot of the improvements you’ll see during your stay are equivalent to many weekly lessons at home.

La dolce vita

There is a relaxed family feel in the way guests and hosts gather around a large wooden dinner table to enjoy traditional home cooked Italian meals featuring high quality, locally sourced produce. Guest accommodation is in typically Tuscan farmhouse rooms, with tiled flooring, wooden beams, arches, exposed stone walls, and late 18th century style furnishings. In between lessons, you have access to an open air swimming pool overlooking the glorious Tuscan countryside. Everything about Il Paretaio is designed to encourage visitors to soak up the region’s rich culture and peaceful atmosphere.

Due to the property’s close proximity to many UNESCO protected sites, guests can immerse themselves in a variety of activities and visit nearby towns and traditional villages, including Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano. So, no need to be concerned about nonequestrian family members or travelling companions – there’s more than enough to keep them entertained. Il Paretaio welcomes both horse lovers and those who simply want to unwind, explore a historic and beautiful region, and indulge in cuisine with a worldwide reputation. If you are a lover of art, history and dressage, a riding holiday in glorious Tuscany might just be the perfect destination for you!

For more information, visit www.ilparetaio.it

FACING PAGE: The Spanish walk at sunset in the heart of beautiful Tuscany. TOP: Paretaio’s farmhouse accommodation is rustic and inviting. BOTTOM: Natalie and Carline, ready for a ride through the rolling fields. All images by Mathilde Gregoire.

FOR SALE

Basil

Spectacular liver chestnut colt by Remi Vigneron/Lauries As/Regardez Moi

Basil received a Silver Award on the Hanoverian Tour. Both Lauries As and Regardez Moi are Grand Prix dressage champions. His sire Remi Vigneron has been awarded EQ Elementary and 6 Year Old HOY and Reserve Medium HOY last year.