How can a doctor’s advice to start a hobby lead to one of the world’s top Lusitano breeding farms? And are we really ever too old to start something new?
What makes the Lusitano horse, the proud horse of Portugal, so unique as a horse breed? What makes them suitable for top-class dressage – even all the way to the Olympic Games?
And what is it really like to run a global equestrian destination as a family, where tradition, vision, and passion come together under one roof?
To find out, we travel to Portugal’s stunning Alentejo region to meet Diogo de Lima Mayer Jr., Director of Monte Velho Equo Resort - an esteemed Lusitano breeding farm with boutique hotel nestled in the breathtaking Portuguese countryside.
Monte Velho’s story began in 1989, when Diogo’s father – the successful architect Diogo Lima Mayer Sr. - was advised by his doctor to find a hobby after a heart attack. Diogo Sr. chose horses, and that “hobby” quickly turned into something much bigger. Over the past 35 years, Monte Velho has grown into a world-class Lusitano breeding and competition stable, while also offering unforgettable riding holidays in the heart of nature.
Here, guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Portuguese countryside, stay in thoughtfully designed accommodation, watch Olympic-level dressage training up close, and connect with the soul of Lusitano culture.
At its core, Monte Velho remains a true family project and today, it's led by Diogo Jr., who brings fresh vision and energy to this extraordinary legacy.
Sit back, relax and join us on a journey through the cork oak fields of Portugal’s Alentejo. Some sneak peeks of the episode:
“A doctor told my father to find a hobby… he accidentally built one of the world’s top Lusitano breeding farms.”
“You’re never too old to start something new - my father proved that at 40.”
“We didn’t build a hotel with horses. We built horses with a hotel.”
“You can spend a week at a luxury resort without speaking to your neighbor - but here, you make friends on your first night.”
“Our horse Equador MVL showed the world what a Lusitano could do - he opened the doors for all the others.”
“Call me crazy, but yes - my dream is to see a Monte Velho horse win an Olympic medal.”
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming of a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
If you would like to know more about Monte Velho Equo Resort, you can follow the stud farm on their Instagram account @equoresort and learn more on their website https://www.montevelho.pt/index_en.html.
#RidingHolidays #AlentejoTourism #Adventure #Lusitano #Horses #OlympicGames #Breeding
What does it take to ride 500 kilometers across the Patagonian wilderness, in one of world’s toughest horse races, on horses you’ve only just met?
How do you build trust with a new horse in a matter of minutes, when your safety, progress and sometimes even your survival depends on it?
Is the Gaucho Derby only for elite athletes, or could an everyday rider dream of taking it on?
And when the race is over, what do you discover; not just about the horses, but about yourself?
We explore all of that in this episode, as we welcome Josephine Jammaers, a Belgian outdoor psychologist, adventurer, and co-founder of Rewild, a platform that makes outdoor experiences more accessible. Josephine has adventure running through her veins: she has explored the world on foot, by bike, by sail and on horseback, including a three-month trek through the remote mountains of Kyrgyzstan. In 2024, she took on one of the toughest horse races in the world - the Gaucho Derby in Patagonia - where she not only finished in the top 10 but also earned the “Spirit of the Race” award.
Beyond her own adventures, Josephine is on a mission to get everyone hooked on the outdoors. Her motto, “Get outside!”, isn’t just a suggestion, it’s practically a life prescription, proving that fresh air can do wonders for body, mind, and soul.
Sit back, relax and let’s travel together to the dramatic mountains of Patagonia. Some sneak peeks of the episode:
“In Kyrgyzstan there was no emergency button, no medics, no helicopter — just us, the mountains, and the choices we made.”
“Before the Derby, I trained to ride with one arm, in case I broke the other. You prepare for the worst, then hope for something slightly better.”
“I decided: I won’t push a horse just because my ego wants to keep up. That’s not the kind of rider I want to be.
“Every new horse was a stranger. But if you take the time to listen, even for a few minutes, they tell you exactly how to ride them.”
“We spend 98% of our lives indoors, and we wonder why we’re unhappy.”
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming of a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
If you would like to know more about Joséphine Jammaers, you can follow her on her Instagram account @josephine.jammaers.
Joséphine trained for the Gaucho Derby with Udukda in Belgium, where you can also book beautiful private trail rides: https://www.udukda.be/.
#RidingHolidays #GauchoDerby #Adventure #HorseRace #Horses #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel
How do you train a horse for horseback safaris, where every rustle in the grass could mean danger?
How do you match horse and rider on horseback safari, when the terrain ahead includes rivers, open plains, and maybe even elephants?
What goes on behind the scenes of a mobile safari, where everything from hot showers to gourmet meals must move with the rhythm of the wild?
And what’s it like to raise a family, run a business, and care for a herd of safari horses, all under canvas, deep in the heart of Kenya?
We discover all of that in this episode, as we welcome Felicia Church, a dynamic force in Kenya’s safari world. Born in England, Felicia grew up riding through the countryside, surrounded by racehorses, polo-playing brothers, and a family legacy deeply rooted in adventure.
In 2009, what was meant to be a short sabbatical in Kenya turned into a life-changing journey. Felicia fell in love - not only with the land but also with Gordie Church, her now-husband and partner at Safaris Unlimited. Felicia is at the heart of their horseback safaris: selecting and matching horses to riders, overseeing their care, and bringing precision to every aspect of camp life. Her family’s connection to Kenya runs deep, and today Felicia carries that adventurous spirit forward in every ride across the wild Kenyan bush.
Sit back, relax and let’s travel together to the breathtaking plains of the Masai Mara. Some sneak peeks of the episode:
“My grandmother wrote: ‘I can’t tell if I’ve got malaria or just a hangover'."
“I rode into my wedding on a horse, bareback, in my wedding dress.”
“Safari horses feel everything - and they even heal guests.”
“A hippo in the river or a lion nearby - your safari horse senses it all before you do.”
“The team moves 10 tons of gear in a day – and serve cocktails, gourmet meals, and hot showers the moment riders arrive: a mobile safari miracle!”
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming of a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
If you would like to know more about Felicia Church and Safaris Unlimited, check their website www.safarisunlimited.com.
#RidingHolidays #HorsebackSafari #Safari #Horses #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel
What if your childhood wasn’t spent in a neighborhood, but in the wild - with horses, tents, and the Masai Mara as your backyard?
How does a horseback safari work exactly? What’s it like to ride through the bush on horseback - coming face to face with elephants and giraffes? Is it really safe to ride a horse — a prey animal — through lion territory?
What does it take to guide guests on horseback through one of the last truly wild places on Earth?
And in a world that’s always online and always in a rush, what kind of transformation is possible when you unplug, saddle up, and step into the heartbeat of nature?
We find out in this episode, where I traveled to the Masai Mara in Kenya to meet Gordie Church. He is a true legend of the African bush and one of the world’s leading guides for mobile horseback and wildlife safaris. Gordie was born and raised in Kenya. He grew up under canvas, in the saddle, and surrounded by wildlife. For over 35 years, he’s led riders through some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes in East Africa. His family’s roots in Kenya go back to the 1930s, when his grandfather arrived from England as a missionary. But it was his father, Tony Church, who really changed the game — introducing the concept of horseback safaris in the 1970s. Today, Gordie carries on that legacy through Safaris Unlimited, a family-run safari company he leads with his wife, Felicia, and their two kids, Tyga and Thego. The Church family has a saying 'a safari begins with a dream and ends with an extraordinary story' — and Gordie has more than a few to share.
Sit back, relax and let’s travel together to the breathtakingplains of the Masai Mara. Some sneak peeks of the episode:
“My grandmother sailed from England to Kenya in the 1930s. She didn’t speak Swahili and had never seen a lion. That’s courage.”
“I cracked a whip to impress my newly-wedded wife and ended up being chased by an elephant. It was a horse that saved my life.”
“My father had 100% belief that horseback safaris in Kenya can’t go wrong and fifty years later, we’re still riding.”
“Africa gets under your skin. The French call it mal d’Afrique, once you’ve come, you’re forever addicted.”
“Our horses can look a lion in the eye, assess the situation, and go back to grazing. That’s how well-trained they are.”
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming of a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
If you would like to know more about Gordie and Safaris Unlimited, check their website www.safarisunlimited.com. If you would like to read more about Gordie’s father, Tony Church (founder of Safaris Unlimited), you can find his memoirs in this book.
#RidingHolidays #HorsebackSafari #Safari #Horses #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel
In this prologue episode of Outside the Corral, I - podcast host Laure-Anne Rigaux - share the why, what and how of this podcast.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
I’ll also share a vulnerable personal story, a “lifequake” that tested my resilience and ultimately reminded me of the therapeutic power of horses and the wild outdoors.
Whether you’re an experienced rider, a daydreaming traveler, a horse lover or simply someone longing for a fresh sense of freedom, this podcast is for you. You’ll hear from remarkable guests who live and breathe the spirit of adventure: guides, explorers, trainers, and dream-chasers from around the world. Through their stories, we’ll learn, laugh, and maybe even find the push we need to pursuit our own little or big next adventure.
Each season of Outside the Corral will feature 5 episodes released every 2 weeks, offering you time to listen, reflect, and be inspired between rides (or commutes, dog walks, or stable chores).
And finally, what’s a good story without a sundowner? Each guest will share their favorite sundowner drink: from African gin & tonics to Belgian apéro, because sometimes, the best reflections come with a view and a refreshing drink in hand.
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming about a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
Sit back, relax, and pour yourself a sundowner – let’s ride Outside the Corral!
PS. Wondering who the handsome gelding is next to me? This photo is taken on the Namib Desert Ride with the legends of Namibia Horse Safari Company. The handsome gelding is called Winchester, but friends call him Mr. Darcy.
#RidingHolidays #Adventure #Horses #SlowTravel #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel