Boca Raton, FL – October, 2013 — The beauty and flair of Spain’s Andalucía, the picturesque countryside and villages of Italy’s Tuscany, and the green rolling hills and historic landmarks of England’s Gloucestershire are the backdrops for ideal vacations when combined with lessons.

These unique riding vacations immerse travelers in the highlights and character of a destination, often from the back of a horse, while setting up the opportunity to enhance the experience with riding or driving lessons.

Here are three samples of High Pointe Equestrian Tour’s Horsemanship Holidays.

SPAIN – TRAILS, DRESSAGE AND SIESTAS: Days are filled with hacking through olive and eucalyptus groves, trotting the sandy beaches of Cadiz, and dressage lessons from instructors certified by BHA and Spanish Federation certified instructors. When not in the saddle, you walk the corridors of the famed White Villages of Andalucía and thrill to an exciting performance of Andalusian horses in a spectacle of light, music and color at the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre.

Your final day of this six-day trip begins with a visit to an Andalusian stud farm, and continues on to Seville for a Flamenco performance and dinner of Spanish and international cuisine in the old section of this beautiful city.

Home during this trip will be a 16^th century Spanish hacienda from where you also may swim, mountain bike, and take off on Land Rover tours.

ENGLAND – DRESSAGE/EVENTING LESSONS IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE: Only 1.5 hour drive from London, the British Horse Society approved Talland Equestrian Centre offers dressage lessons with a member of the British Dressage Team and dressage judge, and cross country lessons under the direction of a former Irish Olympic team member. Lessons are on schoolmasters suitable for the novice or the advanced competitors for the more experienced rider.

When first meeting with instructors, riders design lesson plans based on current riding ability and goals. The itinerary can be shortened or lengthened for riding days, the number of riding hours, or both. Days off might include a visit to the nearby Roman baths of Bath or the market town of Swindon with its buzzing art scene.

ITALY – TUSCANY CARRIAGE FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING COURSES: Riding atop a four-in-hand carriage is a special way to tour the stunning countryside and quaint villages of Tuscany. This mode of travel provides complete immersion in Italian culture and landscape as no modern mode of travel can.

Traveling carriage drivers from beginner to advanced enjoy the opportunity to learn to drive or to improve their driving skills under the tutelage of a FEI master trainer as they cover 125 miles of countryside under the horsepower of either four Oldenburgs, Kladrubers or Haflingers.

This six-day tour starts off in historic Siena with lodging along the way in three- and four- star hotels, and bed & breakfasts.

 SPAIN DETAILS: This trip is available all year except Dec. 15, 2013-Jan. 19, 2014, and includes six nights accommodations, all meals except two dinners, airport transfers, four group lessons, four trail rides, Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre and flamenco dancer show .

ITALY DETAILS: The Tuscany Carriage Horsemanship Holiday includes six days driving instruction, four days self-driving, four-in-hand trainer and groom, six nights lodging and breakfast.

ENGLAND DETAILS: Arrival and departure dates, and the number of riding days may be customized. The basic tour includes three private lessons per day for four days, six nights lodging, breakfasts, transport to and from the inn to the stable, instructor, horse and tack.

Other High Pointe Horsemanship Holidays that feature riding lessons are:

            GERMANY – Cross Country Jumping and Dressage in the Black Forest

            IRELAND – Hunt Seat, Cross Country Jumping Lessons and Trail Rides in County Limerick;

            ITALY – Dressage under the Tuscan Sun;

            IRELAND – Dublin Horsemanship and Trail Riding;

“These tours are for horse lovers who enjoy travel, experiencing new cultures, and are looking for amazing settings in which to learn more about horsemanship,” explains Nathan Zieman, president, High Pointe International Equestrian Tours.

High Pointe was founded by Cathy Mann, a horsewoman most of her life who created High Pointe International Equestrian Tours as a blending of her two passions, travel and horses. “We pride ourselves on being available to our customers 24/7 when they are overseas,” says Cathy who has been in the travel business for over 20 years. “We spend a lot of time with our clients to determine what they like for their equestrian experience, as well as what they like to do before and after the tour.”

For more information, visit the High Pointe International Equestrian Tours website (www.highpointetours.com) for details.