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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 Saturday.
Open all year, except 13th – 27th August and 24 December – 6th January 2024
Included – All the riding, 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 its 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.
This is a wonderful horse-riding holiday in Spain combining Classical Dressage lessons and lunge lessons with expert tuition. Guests stay in the ancient historical town of Carmona at the gorgeous Hotel Alcazar de la Reina which is rated 4 stars, has a pool and 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.
The Intensive Classical Dressage Training Programme is often enjoyed by clients who have visited Epona before and done the Train & Trail Programme who return for a second visit and want to further develop and concentrate on their Classical Dressage skills.
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.
In addition to the mixed riding lessons and lunge lessons, 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 and riding, with a return visit in order by the time you return home!
Horses – Andalusians & Andalusian Crosses, some Warmbloods, Anglo Arabs and Thoroughbreds and some small ponies for kids.
Level of Riding & Pace – Intermediate plus, 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.
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.
Group Size – Maximum 4
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
Intensive Programme
Sunday
Guests arrive in the afternoon, either by pick-up in the airport or train station in Seville (10 – 20-minute drive) or by means of their own transport. A free transfer service is available at 4:30 pm from the Santa Justa Train Station. The airport transfer is about 50 Euros per car.
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. This will be your first opportunity to savour the delights of the local cuisine which still makes full use of ingredients which compose the famous healthy Mediterranean diet, olive oil, garlic, onions and vegetables. 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
After breakfast at the hotel and a quick transfer to the Hacienda, be ready to mount up, after the trail riders leave for their morning ride. Everything is quieter now, ready for the dressage lessons. Your first lesson will be an assessment for your instructor, who will note your good points and the areas which need to be worked on. It is also the first chance for you to get used to your horse and the more sensitive style of riding required for the Andalusian and Iberian horses. Our goal at Epona is that you get as much improvement and fun out of your lesson as possible.
After a break, get ready for your first lunging sessions. Once the lessons are over, relax with a book in the garden or by the pool. You are also more than welcome to stay and sit by the arenas and watch the daily training of our horses. Meet the rest of the group for lunch in beautiful dining room and enjoy your first experience of typical Andalusian home cooking (courtesy of our resident cook) and sample our excellent local house wine. Another lesson in the afternoon.
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
The lessons will take place as soon as the trail ride leaves. As the week progresses so will your dressage, hopefully performing more advanced movements. After the lesson, stay and continue observing the daily training of the geldings, mares and stallions, from young and green to very advanced. We also train the schoolmasters regularly to keep them sensitive and in good shape so that our guests can enjoy and get the most out of their lessons with them. In the afternoon: Another lesson.
Thursday
Same as Wednesday, except that today we will include your second lunge session.
Friday
In the morning, enjoy your last lesson. By this time you might be performing some of the more advanced movements (this will depend on the rider’s ability). Last lunch at Epona is the famous Paella accompanied by the not less famous (and very popular) Sangria. 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
Diploma: presented to all participants. We offer complementary transport to the airport and train station. First trip at 8.00 am and last will be at 11.00 am. Have a nice journey home, we hope you enjoyed your stay at Epona.
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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