"What made you go riding in Portugal? asked a friend.

For one who thrives on the open countryside this was an easy question. "First," I said, "I love horses. Secondly, I enjoy riding. Thirdly, I like to see well-treated happy horses; and fourthly I like to ride along sandy tracks through meadows of wild flowers and cork-oak forests and along Atlantic beaches under glorious blue skies with a gentle sea-breeze."

That wasn't all, of course. I could have added that I can't resist good sea-food fresh from the fishing boats or the famous vinho verde (young white wine) of Portugal, drunk at its best when chilled.

That I had been before and was already used to Robert and Sheila Lee's inimitable welcome, to the comfortable accommodation, and their well-trained Lusitano horses was an added bonus. Their riding centre lies near the little fishing village of Milfontes, in the Alentejo province, half-way between Lisbon and the Algarve coast. This area has been turned into a national park, 100 miles long and 30 miles broad, saved from the developers. Nothing could be more peaceful and health-restoring than this placid vista of natural beauty, and few horses could be easier to ride than the Lusitano.

Yet it is still undiscovered. I was amazed to read a series of articles in the Daily Telegraph on Portugal, and to find that in the list of special interest holidays there was not one mention of horseback riding. Cultural tours, yes, battlefield tours, wine-tastings and cruises, even cycling tours were all meticulously listed. Super if you happen to be an ex-Army concert pianist with a thirst and a mountain bike, I suppose, but where's the fun for the rest of us?

© Sue Wingate - The Joy of Horses 2004