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A horse riding holiday in Andalusia
With sandy going for as far as the horses can take us and
wide fire breaks for exhilarating canters and gallops --
the forests of Andalusia offer riding that's hard to find
elsewhere. Couple this with trips to the beach, the Royal School
of Equestrian Art at Jerez, year-round sunshine and wonderful
food and you have a holiday that is hard to beat. And with cheap
flights to Spain from many European destinations, it's a good
deal financially too.
Los Alamos has been running equestrian holidays since
2001 and has quickly become well respected. It is run by a
British family and offers the perfect combination of action
and relaxation. Sisters Rhiannon and Rachel are gifted
horsewomen, evident from the well-trained and well looked after
horses and their choice of talented staff -- Kathy and José. The
mornings are filled with fun rides in the umbrella pine forests
surrounding the hacienda or cantering along the surf of nearby
beaches. The afternoons are free for relaxation around the
hacienda - if you have a hire car, there's plenty to see in the
area. If not, you can take a stroll in the forest or down to the
beach. Our group? We just had a constant house party, wine and
chat, video sessions, fun in the pool, pleasantly wiling away
the afternoons until Rhiannon served a scrumptious dinner around
8.30pm.
For lunch each day we'd either stop at a taverna with the
horses tied up outside or we'd head back to Los Alamos and all
sit round a big stone table in the shade for cold meats,
tortilla and salads. In the evening we were served a three
course meal with lovely home made dishes such as shepherds
pie and sausage and lentil casserole. It's a good job we were
riding every day or we'd all have come home a tad heavier.
I met Sharon and Steph, two riders who were on their fourth trip
to Los Alamos at the airport. When they raved about the canters
and gallops down hill -- with names such as the rollercoaster
and the corkscrew -- I have to admit, I was a little worried
about hectic scenes. I flashbacked to the out-of-control romps
of my youth and wondered if I was up to it. I needn't have
worried. This was pure unadulterated fun. It was fun
because it was organised, because the fear factor was zero.
While spirited and forward going, the horses are beautifully
behaved, light mouthed so that it's easy to keep a distance
from
the horse in front and they seem know when the hand of the lead
rider goes up it's time to slow down. Just as they go from walk
to gallop in a few seconds, they come back just as quickly.
Forget sports cars -- give me an Andalusian horse!
Each day's ride was different, sometimes we were mainly in the
dappled shade of sweet-smelling forests, other days we were
riding along old drover's roads past scenes of rural Andalusia
or along the coastal Roman road with views across to Africa. On
our last riding day, Saturday, we rode up to the dove cote which
in the 17th century was home to 7,000 doves kept to stock ships
with meat and saltpeter for gun powder. On Wednesday we cantered
along the surf of Cape Trafalgar beach and on Thursday Kathy
took us to Jerez De La Frontera where we watched an
inspirational dressage performance by Andalusian Stallions at
the Royal School of Equestrian Art, visited a tack shop, and of
course, indulged in more food!
All of the horses were all impeccably behaved and forward going
and it's obvious they really enjoy their work. There's a fare
smattering of handsome grey Andalusians, some bays and a
couple of cobs for heavier riders. My horse was Topaz, a 15.2hh
16-y-o chestnut anglo-hispanic mare, a real doer. She required
no leg at all and always had her ears pricked forward. However
with Steph and Sharon riding up front on their favourite grey
Andalusians - Treuno and Pecasa, I had to try a purebred too.
So, on beach day, I was handed Torbejeno -- a handsome bay 15hh
gelding. It was wonderful to be riding an Andalusian in
Andalusia and to feel the different action. But, as is often the
case, you bond with the horse you first ride, so I claimed my
lovely Topaz back for the rest of the holiday.
For those riders who are looking for some winter sun, Andalusia
is perfect. The weather was just right, warm enough for t-shirts
and for a refreshing dip in the pool but with a light breeze
making three hours in the saddle a total joy. With the focus on
fun and just the right balance of riding with relaxation and
food glorious food, it's a perfect way to re-charge your
batteries mid-winter.
About the author:
Joanne Stanford is the founder and editor of www.findaridingholiday.
com, a portal/directory of horse riding holidays with
over 70 companies listed worldwide. Compare companies for your
preferred destination, plus read reviews and advice.
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