Services
Learn more about our specialties and the services we offer to our Associates
Riding School - Practitioner Training - General Course
Since its foundation, AEJC has remained faithful to its formative role, with a playful, pedagogical, and social perspective, always aiming to fulfill its mission to "make Portugal fall in love with equestrianism."
Riding lessons fulfill this objective and are aimed at young people and adults. From Vaulting to Saddle lessons, complying with the Practitioner Training program of the FEP-Portuguese Equestrian Federation. Here you can start a learning process and then evolve through objectives by taking the SADDLE EXAMS (from saddle 1 to saddle 9) and, if you wish, choose a competition discipline. There is also space here to participate in public exhibitions prepared by this Academy.
Saddle Exams
"Selas" (Saddles) are the official designation for the different levels of technical skills of the rider, comprising 9 levels ranging from Saddle 1 to Saddle 9. The first cycle is completed with Saddle 4 (bronze stirrup). After completing this 1st cycle, the rider is qualified to enter official competitions, if they so wish.
The Saddle Exams allow the student to systematize learning, establish objectives, and achieve them. They also allow for deepening knowledge in areas that go beyond equestrian practice, such as stable management (handling and care of horses, tack, and facilities) and THEORY (equestrian doctrine, taught according to needs, before, during, and after equestrian practice exercises).
The Exams held at AEJC comply with the POPE - Official Riding Practitioner Program of the FEP, as it is a Training and Examination Academy accredited by the FEP and ENE, which has accredited technicians to carry out the evaluations. From Saddle 4 onwards, the FEP appoints an external judge who will be the President of the Jury.
Pony Club/Pony Dressage Trophy
The Pony Club represents AJC's commitment to the training of children aged four to twelve. In the Pony Club, children can learn the basic principles of riding through play and subsequently progress to the discipline of their preference. Coordination is provided by Monitor Nuno Antunes, with the support of Joana Baião, Patricia Quintinha, and Patricia Silva, who in a cheerful and relaxed environment motivate their young students to handle the "miniature horses" better and better.
Training/Dressage
The J Cardiga Academy prepares athletes and horses for this discipline. The School has accredited trainers and trained horses for the various levels of competition, allowing students to progress.
Training or Dressage originates from the French word "dresser," which means "to train," and is one of the three Olympic equestrian disciplines, regulated by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). The overall objective of dressage is to help the horse develop, through various exercises, the ability to execute all its natural movements, making it a flexible, calm animal, attentive to the rider, and therefore pleasant to ride. The elegance and beauty of Dressage have led this equestrian discipline to be known as "horse ballet."
Contrary to what one might initially think, practicing Dressage is mainly about training the rider more than the horse, which implies a deep understanding between the two. Some of the most important movements are: Extension - The horse lengthens the stride extension, appearing to float. Highly appreciated when performed at the trot. Lateral movements - The horse is generally moving forward and then changes to moving sideways. Canter Pirouette - The horse rotates on its inner hind leg, completing a circle. This movement is extremely complex and difficult to execute. Piaffe - The horse trots without moving from the spot. Between the change of legs, the horse must lift completely off the ground. Passage - It is a slow trot that the horse performs in a straight line. The rider must control the speed used by the horse.
Adapted Riding/Paradressage
Adapted Riding is one of the strengths of EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS, whose objectives are primarily recreational and/or sporting, thus becoming Paradressage. The highest level of the discipline is reached at the Paralympic Games (athletes with motor disabilities). This discipline uses all the resources available in formal riding (learning to ride, grooming horses, tacking up, etc.) as a way to develop skills necessary for the autonomy of individuals. It is used for people with physical limitations of different levels who have at least some capacity for interaction with the environment. The team is made up of Riding Coaches and healthcare professionals trained in this area. At the João Cardiga Academy, training sessions are often held together with general riding students because the objective is to promote interaction and integration of different people and also to reduce prejudices towards them.
The Academy has already been present at two PARALYMPIC GAMES - 2008 and 2012.
In 2014, AEJC publicly presented a team made up of six members, called the CARDIGA PARADRESSAGE TEAM.
Working Equitation
Working Equitation is an equestrian discipline based on the traditional horsemanship of each country, maintaining and preserving their different traditions, particularly in the use of traditional attire and tack. It was conceived to highlight the type of "riding" used in the different aspects of fieldwork.
In 1997, the II European Working Equitation Championship was organized, which, in addition to the founding countries (Italy with the "maremmani," France with the "Camargue riders," and Spain with "doma vaquera"), saw the first participation of Portugal with riders of Traditional Portuguese Equitation (according to the FEP website). The Lusitano horse is one of the most appreciated for this discipline.
This is the discipline that is in the DNA of the Academy's founder - João Cardiga - who competed in his first event in 1994. João Pedro Cardiga continued for some years, followed by several students. After an interruption, the discipline was resumed in 2015, and in 2017, the Academy won the central regional championship and the Moita regional championship.
Equine Assisted Interventions - Psychomotor Therapy and Physiotherapy
The objectives are specific and prioritary neuromotor goals regarding the individual's rehabilitation process. It is a clinical approach conducted by healthcare professionals with the support of riding instructors and horses trained for this purpose. The objective is to gain rehabilitation benefits through the horse's movement, not equestrian instruction (FRDI cit APPC, 2003). This discipline is indicated for individuals with severe limitations and limited ability to interact with their surroundings and marks social and therapeutic awareness as a priority for AJC leaders. Autism, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and neurodegenerative diseases are among the pathologies that can be addressed with this modality. In this area, it is mandatory for a physiotherapist from the institution to supervise the students.
Adapted Riding/Recreational/Sporting
The objectives are leisure and/or competition. The responsible technician is the Riding Coach. In this approach, the coach and rider work to develop equestrian skills in order to encompass a variety of situations such as leisure, increasing physical fitness, solidifying self-esteem and competitive spirit (FRDI cit APPC, 2003).
Equine-Assisted Psychomotor Therapy
Psychomotor objectives are addressed, more directed towards specific needs in the educational, psychological, or cognitive areas. Progress in learning to ride can be considered here. The responsible professional is the healthcare technician (psychomotor therapist) who works in close partnership with all those involved in the rehabilitation process (educators, psychologists, and therapists) to define objectives (FRDI cit APPC, 2003).
Main benefits: Neuromotor; Emotional; Cognitive; Language; Social
Special Olympics Equestrian (SOE)
Working Trail and Dressage SO
"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
A sporting equestrian activity dedicated to people with intellectual disabilities. Athletes compete according to their level, which is assessed by a group of technicians in the first phase of the competition, called Divisioning. Subsequently, each athlete will perform a gymkhana-type test called Work Trail. This method allows the participation of all athletes.
These competitions offer athletes the opportunity to realize their potential through a sporting activity that provides benefits in terms of self-fulfillment and allows for greater inclusion in the family and social structure. AEJC has hosted this type of competition since 2012, with the organization of the 1st National SOE (Special Olympics Equestrian) Championship. Since then, competitions have become a regular occurrence throughout the country.
Special Olympics report at AEJC: https://www.facebook.com/centro.equestre.joao.cardiga/videos/850682341622246/
Holiday Programs
This is a weekly program (Tuesday to Friday) aimed at children and young people aged 7 to 14, organized into groups, based on outdoor riding activities, with the aim of providing participants with the development of their potential, teaching behavioral patterns such as: "helping, accepting help, accepting one's own limitations, and respecting the limitations of others."
In challenging times, we must find ways to stimulate creativity and responsibility in our young people through varied activities and, whenever possible, outdoors. Horses develop these and other characteristics, such as affection, sociability, and at the same time, ensure distancing.
PROGRAM
Dates: Every week, from Tuesday to Friday, from June to August 15th
Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Location: Academia Equestre João Cardiga - Estrada do Caminho da Serra - Leceia - 2730-040 Barcarena
Activities (Riding activities will be adapted to the level of each participant):
Riding: Approaching a Horse. Putting on a halter. Tying a horse with a safety knot. Getting to know equestrian materials and equipment (grooming supplies, tack, and bridles). Knowing how to handle a horse. Tacking up and untacking. Learning about horse coat colors. Training balance at walk, trot, and canter. Basic horse leading. Learning about the aids. Saddle lessons 2, 3, and 4); Gymkhanas, horseback riding, etc. For able riders, advanced lessons in saddles 2, 3, and 4 will be given.
Other activities: Picnic in the gunpowder factory garden, Educational games
Registrations via geral@academiaequestrecardiga.com or info@academiaequestrecardiga.com
Phones: 214212261 - 935531202
