In the heart of Tricase, where limestone walls trace ancient field boundaries and centuries-old olive trees bow gracefully in the Mediterranean breeze, Eleventh Horse Club offers an intimate way to discover the Pugliese countryside. Here, the rhythm of hooves on sun-baked trails replaces the rush of modern life, and every ride becomes a conversation between rider, horse, and landscape.
Where the Land Tells Its Story
The terrain around Tricase is a patchwork of masserie, dry-stone walls, and windswept pastures that roll gently toward the Adriatic coast. Riding through these fields means passing abandoned trulli, wild fig trees heavy with fruit in late summer, and hidden springs where shepherds once watered their flocks. The horses know these paths intimately, and their steady confidence invites even nervous beginners to relax into the saddle.
Each route is chosen to match the group's experience level, from gentle walks through olive groves to longer treks that climb the low hills offering glimpses of the sea. The guides share stories of local farming traditions, point out edible wild herbs, and explain how the landscape has shaped life here for millennia.
The Rhythm of Hooves and Heartbeats
What sets this experience apart is the personal connection fostered between riders and horses. Before setting out, visitors spend time grooming and tacking up, learning to read equine body language and building trust. The club's horses are patient and well-trained, responsive to subtle cues yet forgiving of mistakes—a combination that makes them ideal partners for visitors who may never have ridden before.
- Morning rides catch the golden light filtering through olive canopies and the coolest hours of summer days
- Sunset excursions time their return to coincide with the sky turning pink over distant Otranto
- Customized routes can include stops at scenic viewpoints or historic chapels tucked into the countryside
- Post-ride refreshments often feature local treats and a chance to linger with the horses
Beyond the Stable Gates
Tricase itself rewards exploration before or after your ride. The town's baroque center clusters around Piazza Pisanelli, where cafés spill onto cobblestones and the Palazzo dei Principi Gallone rises in creamy limestone. Just minutes away, the fishing hamlet of Tricase Porto offers crystalline swimming coves and family-run seafood restaurants where the catch arrives directly from the boats bobbing in the tiny harbor.
Combine your equestrian adventure with a visit to the nearby coastal tower at Porto Badisco—legend claims Aeneas first landed here—or drive south to explore the sea caves and dramatic cliffs of Castro. The landscape shifts from pastoral to dramatic within a few kilometers, offering a full day of discovery that begins and ends in the saddle.