The annual Equestria Festival in Tarbes is one of the equestrian highlights of the year in our part of the world. I go every year, and every year I marvel at the variety of entertainment on offer, not to speak of the gorgeous horses and the stunning displays of horsemanship. It usually starts on a Wednesday with a parade through the old city centre and ends with a gala performance on a Sunday night. During this period there are several simultaneous presentations in the 3 arenas, as well as competitions and presentations of horse breeds and horses for sale in different parts of the park. The Tarbes stud is housed in the middle of the city, commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon I. It is located in a shady 22-acre park, the stud farm buildings form an imposing and refined ensemble. In addition to the Maison du Cheval, visitors can explore the old stables, the tack rooms, the smithy, the harnesses and lots more.
Tarbes, the city of the horse, is south-east from our home, Le Manoir d'Alegria, and is less than an hour from the famous some of the most famous sites of The Pyrenees mountains: Lourdes, the Gavarnie circus, the Pic du Midi Observatory and the Pont d'Espagne waterfalls. Tarbes is blessed with a microclimate that allows palm trees to grow in the city centre. Getting here is easy - Several airlines connect the UK with the airports at Pau, Tarbes, Bordeaux, Biarritz and Toulouse.
There is also a large and varied number of stalls selling everything horse-related and the food garden (as is french custom) was irresistable. Every year, over 300 horses and almost 500 horse experts take part. During the gala equestre on Saturday evening, the biggest names in horse riding compete to provide the 30 000 expected visitors with an unforgettable experience. The talent and courage of the riders and horses make each day an exceptional event for both connoisseurs and amateurs.
We offer our guests three horse riding holiday options during the festival - either a 3, 5 day or 7 day break.
Dates
From the 26th to the 28th or
From the 24th to the 28th or
From the 22nd to the 28th of July 2013.
Included
This 3/5/7-day residential holiday includes:
Welcome drink on arrival
Orientation on the morning of arrival - discussion of each participant's individual expectations, amount of time we will spend in Pau and amount of riding we will do at home.
Rental of our own horses (included) or we can arrange riding lessons at one of the excellent fully-accredited riding schools or trail riding centers in the immediate vicinity of Alegria (additional cost)
Daily visits (transport included) to the Equestria Festival in Tarbes from Wednesday to Sunday.(entry fees not included Wednesday- was 5euro per day in 2012)
Comfortable and spacious accommodation at Alegria
Scrumptious breakfasts with freshly baked bread and home-made jams
Lunch made with local, organic and fresh ingredients and featuring the wines of the region
Dinner on first and last day
One session of equine-assisted confidence coaching (ECC) including one hour of horse-guided activity, a debriefing lasting another hour and a tea/coffee break (session optional)
Translation and explanations whenever necessary by fully bi-lingual guide
Free access to Dr Montegu's 7 Secrets of Supremely Self-Confident Riders e-Course
All local taxes
Fees, Registration and Payment
To be fair to all interested parties, confirmation of reservation is on a 'first paid' basis. To register, please send me an email mentioning the date and duration of your stay and the number of people in your party. The cost of the holiday varies according to the length of your stay:
3 day Holiday 26-28 July Riders - from £550pp Non-Riders - from £450pp
5 day Holiday 24-28 July Riders - from £750pp Non-Riders - from £650pp
7 day Holiday 22-28 July Riders - from £950pp Non-Riders - from £850pp A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place with full payment due six weeks before the start date of your holiday. Payment options: Cheque, PayPal (service charge applies) or bank transfer.
Recommendations
Please reserve early to avoid disappointment. We have only room for a maximum of eight participants per holiday.
We encourage our guests rent a car on arrival at the airport. There is so much to see and do in the corner of France, having a car greatly enhances one's options
We also offer our Horse Riding Holiday guests the option of prolonging their stay by reserving additional nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis at £75 per double room per night at the Manoir d'Alegria.
Subscribe to our Mailing List so that we can inform you of all Special Offers and Last Minute Discounts. (see right)
Are you a horse lover who desperately needs to escape on the ultimate horse riding vacation in France? No need to spend a fortune. Simply make a reservation, then book your plane ticket with one of the budget airlines, pack sunglasses, suntan lotion and your swimming costume and join us for an unforgettable holiday in a stately manor house the sun-blessed south of France. This memorable holiday in the company of our Friesian and Lusitano horses will change your life for-ever.
To ensure you do not miss out on additional special offers and last minutes discounts, please subscribe to the Manoir d'Alegria's Mailing List below. New subscribers will receive a FREE copy of "The Budget Travel" e-book. Your e-mail address is 100% safe.
Alegria's Horse Riding Holidays are presented by Margaretha Montegu. Dr Montegu is the author of the book Horse Riding Confidence Secrets and an equine-assisted confidence coach (EAGALA level 2 cert.).
The annual Equestria Festival in Tarbes is one of the equestrian highlights of the year in our part of the world. I go every year, and every year I marvel at the variety of entertainment on offer, not to speak of the gorgeous horses and the stunning displays of horsemanship. It usually starts on a Wednesday with a parade through the old city centre and ends with a gala performance on a Sunday night. During this period there are several simultaneous presentations in the 3 arenas, as well as competitions and presentations of horse breeds and horses for sale in different parts of the park. The Tarbes stud is housed in the middle of the city, commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon I. It is located in a shady 22-acre park, the stud farm buildings form an imposing and refined ensemble. In addition to the Maison du Cheval, visitors can explore the old stables, the tack rooms, the smithy, the harnesses and lots more. 
This 3/5/7-day residential holiday includes:
