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from £1,350 or €1,520
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Hotel Alcazar de la Reina – Carmona
Caretakers Self-Catering Apartment – Epona
Mill Self-Catering Apartment – Epona
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
These Classical Dressage riding holidays run every week from Sunday to Saturdays
Open all year, except 13th to 27th August and 18th December until 6th January 2024
Included – All the riding, all accommodation, breakfasts and lunches, welcome meal on the first night, drinks with lunch and some sightseeing.
Excluded – Flights, some sightseeing (Spanish School of Equitation Jerez, Flamenco Show Seville), dinners (except for first night) and airport transfers.
Classical Dressage: Getting There
International flight to Seville or you can take a flight to Malaga and take the scenic train or drive to Seville.
Transfer
The transfer time is only 20 minutes from Seville airport. You can either take a taxi or we can arrange a private transfer it is from 55 -60Euros per car each way to be paid directly.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
HIGHLIGHTS
This is a wonderful horse-riding holiday in Spain combining Classical Dressage lessons with expert tuition and ride outs, including an amazing beach ride. Guests stay in the ancient historical town of Carmona at the gorgeous Hotel Alcazar de la Reina which is rated 4 stars, which has a pool, restaurant and tapas bar. This is a perfect riding holiday for anyone interested in dressage, combining great horses, excellent food, top class tuition mixed up with relaxation time and some cultural sightseeing in nearby Seville, Carmona & Jerez.
You will be based in Carmona, a short drive away from the Garcia’s home, a beautiful 19th century Hacienda nestled in rolling countryside between the historic city of Seville and the medieval town of Carmona, an area steeped in history and charm yard.
For 2023, there is an option to stay onsite at Epona. There is the choice of either the Caretakers Apartment (sleeps 4) or the Mill Apartment (Sleeps 2). The apartments are self catering although lunch is included in the Hacienda at Epona each day. The apartments are lovingly restored and freshly decorated in traditional Spanish style.
Fernando and Jane alongside their daughters Vivi and Caty have been running this wonderful establishment for over 35 years. With over 30 horses to choose from, and a maximum of 10 guests at any one time, you can be sure to be matched up to the right horse and even try a couple of others during your stay.
Your hosts daughters Vivi and Caty are expert riders and instructors, having both trained with Rafael Soto, the Spanish Silver Olympic Dressage Medallist and Director of the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. This mix of Classical dressage training and trail riding is perfect for anyone coming into dressage for the first time and want to improve their position, but also want to put their riding into practice in the open field – there’s even a lovely morning riding Andalucian horses on the beach at Donana National Park.
In addition to the mixed riding, there are some great sightseeing trips, which include a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and a traditional flamenco dancing show – we promise that you will come back captivated by the Spanish way of life & riding, with a return visit in order by the time you return home!
Classical Dressage: Horses – Andalusians & Andalusian Crosses, some Warmbloods, Anglo Arabs and Thoroughbreds and some small ponies for kids.
Classical Dressage: Level of Riding & Pace – Complete Beginner to Advanced.
There are horses here to suit all levels, trusty sorts to take care of nervous beginners to spirited, athletic types who perform Piaffe, Passage and the Spanish Walk.
Tack – English.
Classical Dressage: Weight Restriction – 13 Stone 4 lbs / 85 kg / 187 lbs. Heavier riders are welcome up to 95kgs, we just need advance notice and told at time of booking to make sure we have the right horses available.
Classical Dressage: Group Size – Maximum 8.
The Hotel Alcazar de la Reina is where guests stay and enjoy the charm of the small town of Carmona, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Europe, where the locals are friendly and helpful and the small winding streets are steeped with history and tradition, staying at the Hotel Alcazar de la Reina, tastefully restored 4-star hotel, originally a 14th Century fortified palace.
You have breakfast at the hotel, it’s an extensive buffet with lunch enjoyed at the Hacienda between training sessions and hacks. All the food is home cooked and expect traditional Spanish fare such as olive starters, Tortillas and mixed salads followed by fresh fruit and/or cheese for dessert, washed down with a glass or two of local wine if you fancy! Evening meals: On the first night there is a welcome Tapas dinner at the hotel with your host Fernando from Epona. Most other nights you are free to eat at the hotel or any number of wonderful local eateries which the Garcia family will recommend. On the final night you are brought to a Flamenco show in Seville followed by a meal with one of the hosts at Epona (optional).
For 2023, there is an option to stay onsite at Epona. There is the choice of either the Caretakers Apartment (sleeps 4) or the Mill Apartment (Sleeps 2). The apartments are self catering although lunch is included in the Hacienda at Epona each day. The apartments are lovingly restored and freshly decorated in traditional Spanish style. Breakfast & dinner not included. We recommend you hire a car to visit Carmona and Seville for sightseeing and restaurants. However, if you do not have a car, a complimentary trip to the supermarket is included.
Horse Riding Holidays like this Classical Dressage holiday are part of the Zara’s Planet collection of Horse Riding Holidays Spain.
Please Ask About
Classical Dressage & Trail Riding, Epona, Seville
Sunday
Guests arrive in the afternoon either by pick-up at the airport or train station in Seville (10 – 20-minute drive) or by means of their own transport. A free transfer service is offered at pre-set times (3.30pm and 8.00pm from the airport and 4:30 pm. From the Santa Justa Train Station). If you can’t or don’t wish to be picked up at these times, the service will be charged, and needs to be booked well in advance).
You will then be escorted to your hotel in the nearby town of Carmona, one of the famous white villages of Andalucia. Carmona is the oldest continually inhabited village in Europe and as you stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, you will feel and breathe the spirits of ancient cultures (Iberians, Visigoths, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors), in the innumerable examples of their architectural influence in the churches, towers, palaces and mansions as well as in the inherited customs.
After you are settled in, you may appreciate a dip in the pool, or perhaps discover the pleasures of the Spanish afternoon “siesta” after a tiring journey.
In the evening, you will be joined at your hotel by one of the hosts, for a welcome dinner, where you will meet the rest of the members of the week’s group and where you may clarify any last-minute questions about the weekly program. After some friendly conversation, you are free to spend the rest of the evening at your leisure, and to relax before the beginning of what we hope will be an unforgettable week. WELCOME TO EPONA!
Monday
Mount up for the Old Hacienda Ride (now completely renovated), a relaxed hack around the immediate countryside, through olive groves and eucalyptus trees.
Depending on the season, you could see fields of sunflowers, wheat and cotton, as well as melons and watermelons in late summer. The ride takes you past impressive 16th and 17th century Haciendas and Cortijos, which have stood here since the days when Cervantes rode these same trails, collecting olive oil taxes. Return to Epona for lunch.
AFTERNOON: Equitation lessons will take place in the late afternoon when life is a little cooler. It’s a great chance to improve your schoolwork or dressage.
Tuesday
Early breakfast and pick up at the hotel at 8:30 a.m. for Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cádiz, one hour and a half away by car. Jerez is internationally renowned for its production of sherry and brandy. However, the main attraction of the day will be the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, an equestrian performance titled, “How the Andalusian Horses Dance” (Ticket Price: 27 €). Here you will have the privilege of seeing the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, at home in the breath-taking setting of their 18th Century palace and the riding hall. They will be performing piaffe, passage and the airs above the ground (courbette, capriole, etc) in a spectacle of light, music and colour, comparable only with the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Fernando is well known at the school and is good friends with many of the world-famous riders. Vivi trained at this school for four years and frequently performed in the show. Return for lunch at Epona, followed by lessons in the afternoon.
Wednesday
After breakfast and a quick transfer to the Hacienda, mount up and set off across country for the ROMAN BRIDGE. Depending on the time of the year you could be riding through fields of sunflowers, wheat, cotton, oranges or peaches, through olive groves with ancient trees still carefully tended and nurtured. It is a countryside where there are very few fences.
A landscape rich with patchwork of different crops, still rotated year by year as they have always been, with wide headlands of uncultivated land separating one field from another and providing a natural bridleway across country. The variety of wildflowers, butterflies and birds.
Along the way you may come across the river, full and flowing in spring, cool and shallow in summer, a natural heaven for wildlife, with abundant vegetation all year round. Splashing through the shallows, terns and grebes, you’ll emerge at an old Roman Bridge and shady eucalyptus grove. After a break and a few photographs, ride back home for a late lunch. Lesson in the afternoon.
Thursday
Today we set off early to the seaside village, where sturdy Spanish horses, all in Spanish Andalusian cowboy tack (montura vaquera), will be waiting to take you on the Beach Ride. The ride takes you on an unforgettable route through the Donaña Natural Park bordering the National Park of the same name, one of Europe’s last true wilderness regions and one of the largest wildlife reservations in Spain. The ride will take you over the golden dunes, brushing through fragrant wild lavender, rosemary and thyme. The area is home to many species (some protected), such as fallow deer, boar, fox, lynx, imperial eagles, kites, vultures, storks, flamingos and herons.
You will ride down to the beach and then it’s time for the horses to wet their legs and for those who want to, a canter through the surf. After the ride, we head back to Epona for lunch. Lesson in the afternoon.
Friday
We set off across open country for our last hack of the week, through olive and orange groves, past farmers working the land. How strange, in a region where there are no bridle paths the horse can wander anywhere as long as you have respect for the crop. In all our years here, we have never had a farmer object to us crossing his land. On the contrary, they are always pleased to see us. In Andalucia everyone understands and loves the horse. Eventually we arrive at the fields. Return to Epona for lunch.
Friday Night
In the afternoon, after a well-deserved “siesta”, get changed into your city finery ready to hit Seville for a classical Flamenco Show (ticket price 35€).
The show features over 12 dancers of national and international fame, traditional singers and wonderful flamenco guitar. After a short walk, we will arrive at an excellent restaurant providing both Spanish and International cuisine for the last dinner of the holiday and some superb Spanish wine.
Saturday
We offer complementary transport to the airport and train station. First trip at 8.00 a.m. and last will be at 11.00 am. Have a nice journey home, we hope you enjoyed your stay at Epona. We look forward to welcoming you back!
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
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