Have a Jilly Cooper weekend learning to play polo in Austria

The Riding Company invites guests to have a Girls’ Getaway Weekend at an equestrian country house hotel in Austria, where they can learn to play polo. The venue is the Dienstl Equestrian Estate, one of Austria's top Riding Schools, which offers Polo instruction from March until October. The school is open all year for riding tuition for novices, and for training in dressage and jumping. Cross country riding is also possible year round in 1000km of riding trails in and around the estate.

The Riding
Polo: We promise after 8-10 polo sessions (called 'stick and ball'), guests will be addicted to the oldest team sport in the world. They can then play their first Chukka (a session of 7 minutes’ play), and will be taken through all of the steps to learn to play polo, from hitting practice on a wooden horse, training in the practice arena and learning the theory and rules of the game.

The Riding School
The centre offers riding tuition for novice riders and intermediates and has first class trainers for dressage and jumping to class M. There are 14 school horses and ponies for young children.

Also available - Summer Camp for Young Riders: Available for 7-14 year olds. Novice and experienced riders can join in the fun with a full riding and activity programme. The International Young Riders Camp is a few hundred yards from the hotel, so accompanying adults can enjoy some well-deserved pampering, or a full adult riding programme. Culture and sightseeing programme also available.

The Riding Facilities
Indoor riding hall (20x60m), power-ground, jumping arena (70x80m), 1 polo ground, 2 training areas, dressage square (20x60m). 20 polo ponies, 14 school and cross-country ponies.

The Hotel
The 4 star Dienstl Estate Hotel has 56 fully modernised en-suite bedrooms. Facilities include an eco-friendly swimming lake, tennis court, beach volleyball area, bicycles and massage room. Start the day with a hearty breakfast on the sunny terrace, lunch in the casual 'Stube' pub, then finish off the day with a delicious dinner in the elegant restaurant.

Alpe-Adria regional cooking is the speciality here using fresh seasonal produce from local farms. Coffee and cakes available from 2pm on the terrace or by the open fire. Your individual riding programme for the next day is planned each evening before dinner, please see reception. Extra hacks or hours of tuition can also be booked at reception.

Mother and Daughter Riding Holidays
This special week includes daily hacks out in beautiful unspoilt countryside, a half day ride to a famous Medieval castle with picnic lunch, a Polo taster day, a massage and sauna, free use of the garden pool. A day trip to the Lipizzaner stud farm which provides all the horses for the Spanish Riding School, can also be arranged (at extra cost).

NB - to learn to play polo, guests must know the basics of riding and should be comfortable at all three paces.

Prices:

Thursday to Tuesday 22nd to 27th May and 12th to 17th June 5 nights £568 with 6 polo sessions and a free massage

Saturday to Tuesday 24th – 27th May and 14th – 17th June 3 nights £435 with 4 polo sessions.

Price includes half-board in 4* hotel with return airport transfer from Klagenfurt (Ryanair from Stansted). Single occupancy supplement £38 (5 nights) and £25 (3 nights).

Visit Theridingcompany.com for more information and bookings.