A Rider Biomechanics Centered Experience
Equestrian Retreats
Very excited to announce this equestrian retreat!
Costa Rica Equestrian Retreat: The Details Of Posture
Join us in Costa Rica for an equestrian experience of a life time: The Details of Posture in the Saddle
Spend 4 full days immersed in everything equestrian from 8:30am-4:30pm developing tools to improve your posture, communication and effectiveness in the saddle.
Horse Connection, Liberty, and Riding in a Stunning Area of Costa Rica
Join us for our unique and carefully designed retreat to connect with horses, nature and to improve your mobility and stability with your horse. This retreat combines the daily embodied fitness, dance classes, riding and the study of Horsemanship to improve your posture in the saddle, focus, coordination and body language. Feel yourself and your horse moving together in harmony during your lesson as a result of the embodied fitness classes from the morning sessions.
Accommodation included at the luxurious Marriott de Belen. Choose from a shared room with another participant or a private room.
Pricing
Shared room + Breakfast 4020USD
Private room + Breakfast 5120USD
Highlights
- Daily embodied anatomy classes that focus on the pelvis, spine, legs and hands
- Daily embodied exercise classes
- 2 Latin Style Dance classes
- Ride well trained Andalusian horses. All Ale’s horses are part of her family, they are exceptionally well trained with kindness and clarity.
- 2 hours of riding and liberty training per day
- Riding and embodied classes led by Pam American athlete, 4* TYS and 4* Parelli trainer Alejandra Gonzáles.
- Riding and embodied classes led by Equestrian Canada Coach, Competition Coach and 4* TYS Trainer Trish Tweddell
- Welcome package with equipment and learning materials
- Discover the nature of Costa Rica
- Sloth sanctuary tour
- Lunch and snacks included
- Transportation to and from the hotel
- 8 nights accommodation at the luxurious Marriott de Belen Costa Rica, breakfast included
Skill level
- Horses will be matched to riders according to skill level
- Riding sessions are focused on relaxation and feel. Time will be taken for riders to feel comfortable with their horses and to experience changes in posture, feel and communication with the horse.
- Beginner to Intermediate riders
Accommodation
Check in at the Hotel Marriott de Belen on March 11, 2024.
The Hotel Marriott de Belen is located on a 5 hectare coffee plantation is upscale hacienda-style hotel, lies within 14 km from both the Museum of Costa Rican Art and La Sabana Metropolitan Park.
Refined rooms offer deluxe bedding, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi (free). All also provide mini fridges, and tea and coffeemakers; some have pool or mountain views. Room service is available.
Amenities consist of 2 outdoor pools (1 for kids), a spa, a gym and event space. There are gardens, tennis courts, and 5 bars and restaurants including a Peruvian eatery and a coffee shop. Canopy zip line tours are available.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wheel Chair Accessible
- Pool
- Air-conditioned
- Business centre
- Room service
- Restaurant
- Kitchen in all rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Hot tub
- Spa
- Fitness centre
- Golf course
What is Included?
What's not Included.
Program
Connection · Balance · Motion
Immerse yourself in learning the language of horses. Discover how to connect with horses through your intentions and body language. By forming a partnership with your equine companion, you can explore what it means to befriend a horse. Enhance your timing, focus, and body language to synchronize with your horse while riding. Challenge your creativity and precision by engaging in activities with horses at liberty.
This course is designed for individuals interested in learning about your anatomy, refining posture in the saddle, establishing a delicate contact, and enhancing sensitivity. Acquire techniques that you can apply with your horse at home. Focused sessions will help you incorporate new skills into your muscle memory.
Each program will be tailored to meet your specific desires and requirements. We provide personalized attention on an individual basis to all participants.
So many options
Schedule
Accommodation
Skill Level
Key Information
What the Day Looks Like
Meet Alejandra
Ale comes from a line of horse lovers and trainers and is well-known in Costa Rica. She grew up riding and caring for horses from a very young age. Ale has developed a passion for understanding the true nature of the horse and is helping riders build relationships with their horses based on trust and mutual respect.
Before devoting herself entirely to horses, Ale was a pioneer in the world of fitness in Costa Rica. For more than 14 years she was the director of her own television program where every morning, with great joy and enthusiasm, she got all of Costa Rica moving with her aerobics classes. The show also touched on other issues related to women's health.
She is an aerobics instructor; personal trainer, and certified in various techniques.
Horses have been her life, and Ale is highly accomplished in dressage. She currently helps riders and horses around the world by giving natural dressage and horse riding clinics.
She is a born teacher, and her teaching style is complemented by her training as a learning skills coach. Her unique style combines her knowledge of rider and horse biomechanics with the Franklin method for riders and training, seeking the well-being of the horse and the functionality of the rider.
She is the only certified instructor in Latin America in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship and Train Your Seat Rider Biomechanics.
More About Alejandra
Meet Trish
Every equestrian possesses the ability to develop an independent seat and ride their horses in harmony.
I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. Earning a living coaching riders to move well with their horses is a dream come true.
In 2020 I enrolled in the very first Train Your Seat Online course about the pelvis. I met an international community of equestrian movement enthusiasts, learned about muscles, fascia, bones, imagery and how we move with our horses. Courses run over 3 months and comprise of over 48 hours of classes, and teaching practice.
The exam process tests us on knowledge and specifically applying student-centered teaching.
TYS™️ trains rider biomechanics coaches to a high standard.
I have completed 4 trainings including the pelvis, spine, legs and shoulders. I am proud to be the only 4* Train Your Seat™️ Rider Biomechanics Coach in Western Canada.
Today, my focus is on helping riders all over the world to sustainably improve coordination, movement, balance, strength and the ability to absorb force and to move optimally with their horses. The sustainable approach to helping horses and riders in the pursuit of horsemanship.
I created the In Self-Carriage Fitness Community as a place where riders can participate in live workouts, enjoy exercising, stay curious about anatomy, share videos, get feedback, find "the why" in training, build a lifestyle habit and be part of global change for humans and horses.
I look forward to meeting you in the pursuit of horsemanship and moving well for life.
More About Trish
Retreat with your horse to Eckwood Equestrian, Olds, AB
Enjoy a weekend getaway of wellness with your horse at Eckwood Equestrian.
July 25-27, 2025 - $475
Topics covered are:
- Feet
- Stable Base
- Hands/Contact
Spaces limited
Email to book your spot
