HORSE RIDING

The Equestrian Club of Cyclades has perfectly organized facilities for riding lessons, for both beginner and advanced riders. Lessons are booked in advance and take place daily except on Mondays, in the afternoon or sometimes in the morning, depending on the season. You do not need any prior experience to try a riding lesson. For our younger friends from the age of 4, we have ponies, whilst there is no upper age limit for adults. Lessons last 15 minutes for youngsters and half an hour or one hour for teenagers and adults. For your mounted experience we offer riding hats free of charge; you should wear comfortable clothes, long trousers, jodhpurs, breeches or leggings, and closed shoes. Lessons take place in groups of 1–4 people.

One of the most liberating experiences is riding a horse. Discover paths and landscapes on horseback and enjoy unforgettable moments. The Equestrian Club of Cyclades offers various hacks, always with your safety as our first priority. In groups of 1–3 people we take you on one-hour trail rides suited to your riding experience. For beginners we recommend riding lessons before any activity outside our premises: it is safer, and when the time comes for a hack, it will be more enjoyable. For advanced riders, we organize trail riding in the area of Manna, where our facilities are located, and in other villages upon request. If you want something magical, at certain times of year we can arrange a visit to the beach and swimming with the horses. In all cases, hacks are by appointment only. Wear comfortable clothing, trousers, jodhpurs or breeches or leggings, and closed shoes. We will provide a riding hat free of charge.

Dressage, Show Jumping, Endurance and Driving are disciplines with which you can get involved at the Equestrian Club of Cyclades. With or without experience in the field of horse sports, we will find the workout that suits you and your horse best. Our knowledge, experience and facilities provide you with safety in your daily exercise. The Equestrian Club of Cyclades is the only Club in the Cyclades accredited by the Hellenic Equestrian Federation. One to four competitions are organised annually by our Club and held on Syros and other islands, aiming at promoting the equestrian discipline in the Aegean islands. Over the summer months we organize gymkhanas for our younger riders, where they can showcase their equestrian abilities. As the Champion Club in single and pair driving in 2011, with champion drivers in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and athletes that continue to excel in Dressage amassing the most wins for a single Club, the athletic strength of our Club is on the rise. If you wish to familiarise yourself with horse riding but not necessarily ride, you are welcome to sit in the viewing balcony of our traditionally decorated club house and enjoy your afternoon coffee in sight of our athletes in training. Training takes place in the afternoon, with hours varying depending on the season.

This unique experience we offer is fairly described as a dream come true. Swim with horses bareback in the sea, on the islands’ beaches during the summer months, with our experienced staff. Horses love the sea and share that feeling with you. Swimming with them is the ultimate romantic outing for couples or honeymooners visiting Syros, for riders who have never tried riding in the sea, and for family moments together. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is magical—don’t miss it.

Therapeutic horseback riding is a form of recreational therapy linked to benefits for people with motor disabilities, especially in regard to coordination and balance, and the development of muscle tone. Interaction with horses, whether riding or caring for them, has long been known to promote well-being and confidence. The Equestrian Club of Cyclades offers therapeutic horseback riding lessons, in a safe environment, using specifically selected, gentle and even-tempered horses, under the supervision of a qualified instructor. The frequency and structure of the lessons are assessed on a case-by-case basis and may involve, in addition to riding, grooming or involvement in other day-to-day activities of the Club.