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The Horse Riding
You will find 30 well-trained horses (Lusitanos, Anglo-arabs, Berber, Arabs, English Thoroughbred and Italian horses) as this special place in the Tuscan countryside. The horses will be carefully assigned according to the skills and wishes of the riders. Beginners can learn riding from the very first steps. Post-beginners can extend their knowledge and skill by participating in lessons or in the riding out.
Experienced riders can take dressage lessons or combine this with riding out.
Beginners do not have to bring full riding equipment - chaps, whips and riding hats (not all sizes) are available.
The quality of tuition is very high and instructors and guides are BHS, GEA, FISE UISP qualified. Riding lessons are taken in one of the two training arenas and are in English. The groups are a maximum of 4 - 5 riders.
The rides out are calm and always accompanied by a qualified guide. In most cases we follow small country paths or go across the Tuscan countryside. It is possible to organise riding out with wine tasting or a full ride out with picnic. It is also possible to book additional lessons or rides out.
The instructors, the trainers
Both Giovanni and Cristina De Marchi were born with a very strong passion for horses. Giovanni started to ride when he was just 10 and his first teacher was so impressed by his pupil's passion that he personally used to go to pick him up from the train station and drive him to the riding school.
Cristina, started as a child to train (or at least try to train) any animal available ranging from hamsters, cats, dogs and even crickets, making them do show jumping! She inherited her passion for horses and horseback riding from her grandmother, who herself inherited the passion from the family.
The couple met very young and 18 years ago they decided to dedicate their lives to their passion for the equestrian art. They moved from Milan to Tuscany to one of the most beautiful spots in the Chianti area where they founded the equestrian riding centre - Il Paretaio.
Their brilliant career as trainers started in Milan when they encountered a French master and later, Albert Moyerson, a very reputable horseman and pupil for many years of the great Nuno Oliveira. At Albert Moyerson's centre they had the chance to meet the great Master, Louis Valenca, one of the chief riders in the Portuguese Equestrian School.
Both Giovanni and Cristina started to study with this Master at his centre Leiziria Grande. After some time they were introduced to the technical director of the National Stud in Portugal, Mr Pedro de Almeida, with whom they studied for many years, assisting with the training of the horses at the National Stud.
Pedro De Almeida, who has been pupil of Nuno Oliveira, is still their main reference Master. Following the classical principles and equitation with an Oliveiran approach, Giovanni and Cristina were able to create a little corner of paradise, with more than 30 horses and 10 rooms for their pupils. At Il Paretaio, you can feel a sense of harmony, beauty and balance wherever you turn.
Classical Dressage at Il Paretaio
This training method is based on suppling and loosening up the horse to achieve elasticity and lightness in the use of the aids. It follows the very traditional principles of classical riding but which are also practised by riders competing in modern dressage. When Cristina & Giovanni teach, they feel they are physically and emotionally riding with the pupil.
We organise courses both for riders just starting out in dressage as well as for experienced dressage enthusiasts. Weekly courses run throughout the year and it is possible to partake with or without your own horse. With the emphasis on correct basic schoolwork, riders are also encouraged to work on exercises in the lateral movements, transitions, canter and counter-canter, as well as work from the ground. For very advanced levels, sometimes riders also have the possibility to work on more advanced movements.
It is also possible to arrange 3 day clinics for individual lessons from Crtistina & Giovanni in your country - they travel across Europe teaching.
Children's programme
Children from the age of 2 can ride here - and we a very good reputation and have always had a lot of success with children at the beginning of their riding careers. We also organise vaulting lessons and hold small competitions and dressage displays.
Non Riding Activities
Il Paretaio is a very good base for touring the area without changing accomodation: Florence and Siena, Colle Val d'Elsa, San Gimignano, Certaldo, Greve in Chianti, Pisa, Pienza,Volterra, Lucca are reachable by car.
Generally the riding programmes leave riders plenty of time for touring the area and there are many interesting and scenic places you can reach in less than half an hour.
There are many things you can do while your partner/friend is riding:
- you can just relax by the swimming pool (open from April to October)
- tennis facilities are within 10 km
- golf facilities in Florence, Castelfalfi or Siena. Ask for information.
- explore the Tuscan countryside by bicycle.
- join the riders for the picnic or wine tasting
- join an art seminar, a ceramic course or a cooking class
- learn Italian (our teacher comes to the farm on request)
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