The Seat of Presence: Lusitano Heritage Riding Retreat
A 5-Day / 7-Night Immersive Classical Riding & Wellness Experience in Portugal
The Seat of Presence is more than a riding holiday — it is a return to softness, balance, and self-trust.
This intimate retreat blends classical dressage with mind-body practices designed to restore clarity, confidence, and joy. Through guided riding lessons, breathwork, Tai Chi, reflective journaling, and a deep connection with the Lusitano horse, participants rediscover what it means to ride from presence rather than pressure.
Each day invites you to slow down, listen inwardly, and refine your relationship with both horse and self. The Lusitano—an ancient and expressive breed—becomes not a tool, but a teacher, guiding you toward harmony, sensitivity, and quiet strength.
Here, riding becomes art, wellness becomes awakening, and the Seat of Presence unfolds as a way of living—on horseback and beyond.
At a Glance
5-Day Classical Riding & Wellness Retreat
(7 nights of accommodation)10 Classical Riding Lessons
Semi-private format (1:2 rider-to-instructor ratio)Daily Wellness Practices
Tai Chi, breathwork, journaling, and mindful movementHosted By
Nuno Cavaco • Teresa Burton • Ian LopezLocation
Stay in the seaside town of Ericeira, PortugalDaily Transfers
To and from the stablesNourishment
Organic lunches and refreshments providedIntegration & Reflection
Guided reflection circles and integration practices
Your Signature Retreat Package
Guided by classical master Nuno Cavaco, retreat creator and mentor Teresa Burton, and wellness specialist Ian Lopez, this retreat offers a complete and deeply transformative journey—on and off the horse.
Designed to soften the seat, quiet the mind, release old patterns, build confidence, and deepen emotional and physical connection with the horse, the Seat of Presence opens a space where classical riding becomes a pathway to inner clarity.
The Art of Presence
Presence is the foundation of true horsemanship. Throughout the retreat, you learn to ride from stillness, move from softness, and listen with the whole body.
Each day deepens your connection to rhythm, breath, grounding, stability, flow, and clarity—allowing riding to evolve into an embodied dialogue rather than an effort of control.
Your Daily Journey
Grounding Breathwork • Sensory Walk • Arrival Integration
Your retreat begins with gentle grounding. Breathwork softens the nervous system, while a sensory walk awakens presence. Mind and body gradually settle into a receptive state. This is your first step into the Seat of Presence — arriving fully in yourself.
Tai Chi • Balance-Focused Riding • Journaling • Bodywork
We begin by softening — not trying harder, but letting go. Through Tai Chi and mindful movement, breath lengthens and tension dissolves. Riding emphasizes balance, feel, and subtle communication. Journaling and bodywork deepen awareness, opening the doorway to a lighter, more responsive seat.
Flow in the Saddle • Bodywork • Circadian Reset • Riding
Today you explore rhythm — the pulse beneath movement. You follow the horse’s natural cadence, creating softness in motion. A wellness session supports circadian health. Two classical riding lessons refine timing, feel, and embodied connection.
Stability • Receptivity • Nutrition • Strength • Riding
Presence becomes powerful when the core is both stable and receptive. A nourishing nutrition talk supports vitality from within. Mindful strength-building enhances posture and confidence. Riding integrates stability, softness, and deep listening.
Breathwork • Presence Rides • Reflection • Integration
This is the day when everything weaves together. Riding focuses on embodied clarity — feeling instead of forcing, guiding instead of correcting, allowing instead of anticipating. Reflection practices deepen insight and integration.
Breathwork • Final Rides • Celebration Dinner
A final morning of breathwork and riding anchors the transformation you’ve cultivated — softer, clearer, and deeply connected. We close with a celebration dinner, honoring the horses, the land, and the personal journey you now carry home.
What’s Included
10 Classical Riding Lessons
Semi-private format for focused, individual attentionDaily Tai Chi, Breathwork & Mindful Movement
Supporting nervous system regulation and embodied awarenessJournaling & Reflection Circles
Guided integration and personal insightOrganic Lunches & Refreshments
Nourishing, seasonal meals to support vitalityDaily Transfers
Comfortable transport between Ericeira accommodation and the stablesPersonalised Guidance
Attentive support from Nuno Cavaco, Teresa Burton & Ian Lopez
Accommodation — Stay in Charming Ericeira
Enjoy accommodation in the seaside town of Ericeira, known for its fresh ocean air, cobbled streets, quiet cafés, and deeply restorative coastal atmosphere. Daily transfers connect you effortlessly with the stables, creating space for reflection, rest, and gentle integration throughout the retreat.
A Note from Teresa
This retreat is an invitation to slow down, soften, and listen — to your body, your breath, and the horse beneath you. You are not here to achieve more, but to arrive more fully. My wish is that you leave carrying a quieter strength, a clearer presence, and a deeper sense of trust in yourself.
Ready to Begin?
Your seat is waiting.
Step into a journey of softness, clarity, and connection — one that stays with you long after you return home.