Hípica Vilaformiu

Who they are

Hípica Vilaformiu, also called Centre Eqüestre Vilaformiu, is a federated riding school at the Vilaformiu farmhouse, about 2 km and five minutes by car from the centre of Berga, in the heart of the Berguedà and at the gateway to the Pyrenees. Its website does not say since when it has operated or who the owner is; the booking contact is Bernat. It explains that the activities are organised by professionals accredited by the Federació Catalana d'Hípica and that the instructors are qualified or accredited for each activity. They also have a raid trainer, the endurance discipline, whom they describe as internationally recognised.

Horse rides

For the visitor, the main thing is the rides around Berga. The simplest lasts an hour and a half. The others have a destination: Blancafort castle; the Figuerassa mountain, with views of Montserrat, the Montseny, la Mola and Sobrepuny; the abandoned village of Peguera; and the paths among the cereal fields of L'Espunyola, with a stop under a centuries-old oak. By season they prepare themed rides: the alpaca ride, a full-moon night ride, a midday one with an "esmorzar de forquilla", the Catalan knife-and-fork brunch, and another with a hot breakfast. The website does not publish the length of the long rides, the level required or the dates of the themed ones.

Lessons, camps and other services

They give beginner, improver and jumping lessons, in groups or private, adapted to each group's level. Each session starts with contact with the horse, brushing and saddling it, before riding, so that the student learns to handle it from the ground and from the saddle.

For children they organise five-day stays and camps, Monday to Friday, all summer and also at Easter and at Christmas and Epiphany. They follow the Galops programme of the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation and the Catalan federation, with theory and practice, games and values such as companionship and respect for animals. They are coordinated by an educator and instructors qualified by the Catalan federation. They also hold birthday parties, school and after-school activities, horse therapy and training, and offer livery, foal breaking, horse sales and advice. On the farm there are ponies and other animals.

How to book

Bookings are made by WhatsApp or by phone (616 757 658); there is also a form and email ([email protected]). The website does not publish prices, times, minimum age, group size or cancellation terms, nor say whether they lend helmets. It is worth asking all of this when booking, especially with children or if it is your first time riding. The website is in Catalan. To get there, from Berga you follow the signs towards Vilaformiu, turning left, according to their own website.