Seville Equestrian Centre Trails and High School Dressage - Spain

Sunday: Afternoon transfer to Epona from the Seville airport or train station. Settle into your accommodation, enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool or an afternoon siesta. In the evening visit a typical tapas restaurant with Fernando (who will be your guide for the trail riding) in nearby Carmona, the oldest continuously inhabited village in Europe. Stroll through the narrow streets, past the fortified walls and feel the spirit of the Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and other ancient peoples. Dinner at a restaurant in Carmona (not included in the price) before returning to Epona for overnight.

Monday: After a leisurely breakfast mount up for the Hacienda Ride, a relaxed ride around the immediate countryside, through olive groves and eucalyptus trees, fields of sunflowers, wheat, cotton, and melons in late summer. Ride past impressive 16th and 17th century haciendas and cortijos, which were standing when Cervantes rode these same trails collecting olive oil taxes. Return to Epona for lunch and enjoy the first experience of typical Andalusian home cooking, washed down with an excellent local house wine. The afternoon can be spent by the pool, or if you are feeling in need of culture take the bus into Carmona to explore the old streets, archaeological sites or the second largest Roman Necropolis in the world. Equitation lessons will take place in the late afternoon when the air is cooler. It is a great chance to improve your flatwork, dressage or jumping skills.

Tuesday: Start out with an early breakfast before leaving at 9am for Jerez de la Frontera, the world famous centrer of sherry production. Stop for a short visit at a wine shop and sample the different local varieties. The main attraction of the day is the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestra, a classical equestrian show 'How the Andalusian Horses Dance'. Watch the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, in their beautiful 18th century riding hall, performing piaffe, passage and the 'airs above the ground' such as courbette and capriole. (Ticket price extra) Return for lunch at Epona, followed by a lesson in the late afternoon.

Wednesday: After breakfast saddle up and set off for the River Ride through fields of sunflowers, wheat and cotton, and ancient olive groves. In this countryside there are few fences. A landscape rich with a 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. Enjoy the variety of wild flowers, butterflies and bird life. Before you know it you're upon the river, full and flowing in spring, cool and shallow in summer and fall, a natural haven for bird life with abundant vegetation all year. Splash through the shallows, past water voles, terns and grebes, before emerging at a Roman bridge and the chance for a snack and rest in a shady eucalyptus grove. Evening equitation classes to continue improving your riding skills.

Thursday: Set off for the seaside village of Matalacañas, stopping for breakfast enroute. Beautiful Spanish horses, most in full Spanish tack, will be waiting to take you on the Beach Ride. The ride follows an unforgettable route through the Doñana Natural Park bordering the national park of the same name, one of Europe's last true wilderness regions and one of the largest wildlife reserves in Spain. Ride over golden dunes, through shrubland dotted with rock rose, bramble and heather. If you are lucky you could spot one of the many protected species which inhabit the area such as fallow deer, otter, boar, fox, lynx, imperial eagles, kites, vultures, storks, flamingos or herons. Enjoy a canter through the surf before returning back to Epona for lunch and a siesta by the pool. Evening equitation classes to continue improving your riding skills. Enjoy a traditional 'Paella Campestre' under the stars, washed down with homemade sangría.

Friday: Mount up after breakfast for the last trail ride of the week, through olive and orange groves, past farmers working the land. In a region where there are no bridle paths the horses can wander anywhere as long as you respect the crops. Arrive at the fields of a top class Andalusian stud farm and with some luck you will get the chance to appreciate the noble and docile nature of the beautiful mares and foals grazing peacefully in the sunlight. You may even see some colts and magnificent stallions. Return to Epona for lunch. In the afternoon, change into your city clothes ready to visit Seville. The first stop is the main tack shop in Seville, followed by a classical Flamenco Show (ticket price extra - about 29 Euro). The show includes over twenty dancers of national and international fame, traditional singers and wonderful flamenco guitar. After a short walk through the old part of the city, arrive at an excellent restaurant providing both Spanish and international cuisine, for the last dinner of the holiday and some superb Spanish wine (dinner not included in price). Return to Epona.

Saturday: After breakfast say goodbye to horses, dogs, assorted animals and friends you have made. Transfer to the Seville Airport or train station in time for your departure. (Check out no later than 1:00 pm)

Non-riding partners can still have a great time at Epona, snoozing by the pool, going for walks and bicycle rides, taking Spanish lessons or sampling the local wines. While your partner is riding there is plenty of time to explore nearby Carmona or Seville. Carmona is the oldest continuously inhabited village in Europe and Seville has got to be one of Europe's most beautiful and enjoyable cities. You'll soon get the hang of cruising the tapas bars in the warm evening air, just like the locals.

Other Activities:
As well as sightseeing in Carmona and Seville, walks in the local countryside or a swim in the Epona pool (from March to October), and a host of other activities can be arranged to keep non-riding guests entertained.

Flamenco Dance Lessons:
If you are a fan of true Flamenco dance, your visit to Epona is also a great chance to book one-to-one coaching with Anna Comacho one of the finest solo Flamenco dancers and star of El Patio Sevillano. If you book in good time Anna is happy to come out to Epona to give private lessons for €90 an hour, or €60 an hour for groups of up to three.

Classical Flamenco Guitar Lessons:
If you are already a guitarist and interested in classical Spanish guitar then you will love the opportunity for a private lesson with virtuoso Juan Manuel Flores. If available, he is happy to bring two guitars to Epona to give you private instruction. Fee €90 an hour.

Land Rover Tours of the Doñana Natural Park:
Nonriders with a hired car have the chance to follow the riders to Matalascañas for the beach ride, and take a tour of the park themselves in a 4 x 4 Land Rover. The price of the 2 hour tour is 30 euro per person for a minimum of 2 people. If you do not have a rental car, a local driver can be hired to bring you to the coast for 90 euro (with up to 4 people in the car).

Golf:
With two or three golf courses within easy reach by car, there's plenty to keep any non-riding golfing spouse amused. With advance notice, bookings and even a local driver can be hired to drop you off each day.