Sylvia Loch has been teaching regularly in Portugal at Quinta do Archino, Ota, Alenquer since 2003. Find out more about Quinta do Archino, its location, horses and teaching programmes on www.quintadoarchino.org

After foot surgery, Sylvia has had to drastically curtail teaching abroad for the future. She taught at Quinta do Archino in June this year in conjunction with Director D. Francisco de Braganca, but has no dates available as yet for 2009.

Should you be interested in future bookings, write to Sylvia with SAE at Eden Hall, KELSO, Roxburghshire Scotland TD5 7QD and we will put your enquiry on hold.

In the event of a Course becoming available, please proceed to the following:-

HOW TO BOOK:-
The cost of the A/S Course for 2009 is paid in TWO parts. The first installment which comprises a booking deposit (non-returnable) is £245.00 (if paid on an English cheque via an English bank). This should be sent directly to Sylvia Loch.
For Transfers or International Money Orders from a foreign bank, the cost of the first installment(deposit) is raised to £255 (GB pounds) per person to cover bank charges. Bank details can be sent on request once course confirmed.

This, your booking deposit should be sent ONLY AFTER CONFIRMATION OF YOUR COURSE. It is non-returnable and made directly Sylvia who handles all the A/S Courses and their bookings. Do NOT book these Courses through Portugal - Sylvia will liase direct with Quinta do Archino herself.

Once Sylvia has confirmed receipt of your cheque, you can then book your travel - knowing that your place has been secured.

IMPORTANT - HOW TO PAY THE BALANCE!
The second payment comprises the Balance of your A/S Course to be paid in euros (price still not fixed for 2009) to D. Francisco's bank in Portugal, 6 weeks before the Course is due to begin. Details of how to wire this money bank to bank to Portugal is available on the Quinta do Archino website www.quintadoarchino.net Please make sure your name is with the follow up payment.

A/S COURSE PROGRAMME
On your A/S Course the programme for EACH STUDENT is as follows:
SUNDAY - 5.30 -7.30 pm Arrive at Quinta do Archino, Ota, Portugal, and settle into accommodation...
8.00 pm Welcome Dinner with the Bragancas.
MONDAY - a.m. l Dressage Lesson(40 mins-1hr.) with D. Francisco; p.m. l lesson (as before) OR (as an alternative)work in hand, OR hacking/trail riding
TUESDAY - a.m. 1 lesson with D. Francisco
You will be joined by Sylvia for lunch.
In the Afternoon - there will be a
Weight Aids Workshop taken by Sylvia at the poolside.
Balance & Body Awareness is a hands-on clinc, exploring the techniques shown in Sylvia's latest DVD of the same title - in Portugal 2006. As a group, we work on your understanding of transitions, lateral movements,swing through the back, collection, counter-canter, flying changes, passage etc(for the higher level student).
Each workshop lasts roughly 1 and a half to 2 hrs.
Late p.m. l private lesson (40 mins.- 1 hr)per student taken by Sylvia. After dinner question and answer session with Sylvia
WEDNESDAY - a.m. 1 private lesson per student with Sylvia
Lunch all together - opportunity for more discussion...
Second Weightaids Workshop at pool
THURSDAY - a.m. 1 lesson with D. Francisco;
p.m. 1 lesson with D. Francisco OR Work in hand OR hacking/trail riding (as before)
FRIDAY - (same programme as Monday and Thursday)
SATURDAY - leave after breakfast for Airport

Details of full board arrangements which are included in your A/S Course are exactly the same as the normal Courses run at Quinta do Archino www.quintadoarchino.org
Non-riding partners are also welcome.

LISBON - 1 HOUR!
AT THE SILVER SANDS COAST - LUXURY APARTMENT TO RENT!

There has been very little touristic development on this relatively unknown part of Portugal's coast. There are acres of unexlored, Atlantic beach - known as the Silver Coast and building controls are extremely stringent with no high rise allowed and consequently no package tours.

FABULOUS APARTMENT TO LET - IN PORTUGAL!
No 6 Aldeira Viriato, Praia del Rei

We now have the use of a fabulous apartment at the famous Praia del Rey resort, one hour north of Lisbon airport and easily reached by motorway.

One side of the apartment looks out onto peaceful countryside, the other onto the pool and patio area.
Within close walking distance are tennis courts, shops, the Club House for meals and nearby the 5 star Marriott Hotel for a delicious a la carte meal. Typical Portuguese restaurants/ cafes all within easy driving distance.

Three bedroomed (sleeping 6) and attractively and fully furnished, this modern, light and very spacious apartment looks out onto a private pool and is just l0 mins. walk (3 mins by car) from a stunning beach which stretches for uninterrupted miles to north and south.

Groundfloor, you have the choice of two balconies and a sitting out area in front of the apartment and a huge sitting/dining area indoors. There are 3 double bedrooms (one en suite) and 2 further loos and showers, plenty of cupboards and a thoroughly modern kitchen, fully equipped.

Other Attractions: Praia del Rey , voted best Golf Course in Portugal last year, ranks 5th in Europe.
For riders, it's only 50 mins. drive to D. Francisco's classical dressage centre Quinta do Archino. Nearby the medieval town of Obidos with its ancient remains and marvellous architecture beckons the discerning tourist, as does the spa town of Caldas de Rainha and Peniche, the surfers' paradise, further up the coast.
This truly is a wonderful, tranquil part of the world and very different from the Algarve and the Spanish Costas. Most of the residents at Prai del Rey come here to get away from all that!

Rental prices (sterling cheque acceptable):
April-June: 950 euros per week(approx £650 - to sleep 6)
July: ll50 euros
August - a week - l250 euros
Sept/Oct - l050

This includes a full cleaning/service of the apartment before you arrive, someone to meet you with keys, bedlinen changed once a week, towels every 2 days, loos cleaned and bins emptied daily and a full cleaning service when you leave. (If you want extra maid service whilst there, this can be arranged but is not included in the price and would be down to you ).

If interested, please email Sylvia at sylvialoch@tiscali.co.uk OR tel. (0044) -(0)1890-830380

BOOKING requires a 50 per cent deposit on the full price, the remainder to be paid 4 weeks before going.
Please write for availability before booking!

THE POOL

This photo taken (last winter - hence some apartments being shuttered up) from the balcony of no. 6 shows a good-sized pool lying directly in front of your breakfasting area. There are dozens of pools, private and like this one shared by the immediate adjacent apartments, at Praia del Rey. All are kept to a high standard of cleanliness and maintenance and it is not at all rare to have the pool to oneself.

THE SITTING ROOM

The sitting room with terrace and balconies is a large sunny room with fireplace and chimney stack being a central feature. Roughly 27 ft. square, the dining area lies off to one side with views throughout to both the pool area and the rural landscape beyond.

DINING AREA

The massive pinetable sits up to l2 people and has stunning views to both north and west.

OUTSIDE

The whole development at Praia del Rey has an uncluttered,unspoilt feel about it. Some villas overlook the sea, others the golf course, no. 6 is near the edge of the complex overlooking the tranquil wine-growing countryside.
Praia del Rey is a private estate, very secure with village street lighting and security at night, and the golf house, hotel and beach are all within easy walking distance. The whole place feels very safe and is extremely clean and well-tended with flowers, grass, flowering shrubs and trees throughout.

IBERIAN HORSES FOR SALE

From D. Francisco's training base near Lisbon, Sylvia has access to many beautiful pure and partbred Lusitano horses For Sale. Most of these are already in training (at any stage from novice to advanced levels). D. Francisco's own stud produces a number of highly recommended colts and fillies from 8 months on for good homes overseas. Sometimes, an older schoolmaster stallion may also become available although such opportunities are rarer.
Most horses for sale will be stallions, but for prospective owners wishing geldings, castration can be arranged before the horse leaves Portugal. The local veterinay practice are well used to this requirement foradult horses going overseas.
Transport to the UK is generally undertaken with John Parker International - the cost of shipping a horse from Lisbon to its stable in UK well under £l000.
Ridden Mares are also available. Below, we offer for Sale PRINCESA, purebred Lusitano mare with highly marked grading papers. For details read on:-