This intensive dressage program is aimed at all riders who, in addition to relaxing, also want to focus on improving their riding skills while on vacation. With the help of first-class dressage horses, you will have the opportunity to intensively improve your dressage skills over 5 riding days. Here you will learn from the best! All trainers are certified by the British Horse Society and the Spanish Federation and give riding lessons for all levels.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to be taught by the Spanish team's Olympic silver medallist Rafael Soto at certain times of the year. He won numerous ribbons with his top horse Invasor, which had previously been written off as unrideable by other riders. In addition to dressage sessions, lungeing lessons are also on the program. These help you to improve your seat, balance and posture. The group size is 2-3, but a maximum of 4 riders. There is also the chance to swap a dressage session for a ride in the colorful surrounding countryside.

A beautiful hacienda (country estate) from the 16th century serves as the base for this riding experience. This is located near your hotel. Riders can stay at the hacienda all day, from morning training to after the last dressage lesson, and you will feel at home with the Spanish-British García family. The new, large, covered riding arena ensures that you will not get too hot in summer or get wet in winter. Training can be carried out here all year round. The cultural program includes a visit to Jerez de la Frontera, where you can admire the famous Andalusian stallions performing in the show “Those Amazing Dancing Andalusian Stallions”. In addition, a visit to Seville is planned for the last evening to see a typical flamenco dance show.

Itinerary

Intensive Dressage Program:

Day 1: You arrive in the late afternoon either with the free pick-up service from Santa Justa station at 4:30 p.m. or with your own means of transport. It is also possible to book a pick-up service from the airport. You will then be taken to your hotel in the nearby village of Carmona, one of the most famous white villages in Andalusia. Carmona is the oldest continuously inhabited village in Europe. As you stroll through the narrow streets of the village, you can feel the ghosts of ancient cultures (Iberians, Visigoths, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors) and see the architectural influence in the churches, towers, palaces and villas. After you have settled into your room, you can take a refreshing dip in the pool or discover the joys of the Spanish afternoon siesta. In the evening, you will be accompanied by your host for a welcome dinner, where you will also get to know the rest of the riders in your group and have the opportunity to ask any final questions about the weekly program.

Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and driven to the hacienda. You will saddle the horses and get ready for your first dressage lesson. Each rider is picked up where his or her current training level is. The exercises and training focus are adapted to the ability of each student. The team's main goal is to ensure that you enjoy your lessons. After a short break, your first sitting exercise on the lunge is on the program. After that, you can relax in the garden with a book or take a dip in the pool. You will have lunch with the family. In the afternoon you will have a second dressage lesson.

Day 3: Early breakfast and pick up at the hotel at 8:30 am for the one and a half hour drive to Jerez de la Frontera in the province of Cádiz. Jerez is internationally known for its production of brandy and sherry. However, the main attraction of the day is the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, a riding performance entitled “How the Andalusian Horses Dance” (entrance fee: €27, not included). Here you will have the pleasure of seeing the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, in the stunning setting of the 18th-century palace and indoor riding school. You will see piaffes and passages, courbettes and caprioles in a spectacle of light, music and color that can only be compared to the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Fernando is well known at the riding school and is good friends with world-famous riders. Vivi trained there for four years and performed in the show frequently. Return to the hacienda for lunch, followed by afternoon dressage lessons.

Day 4: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and driven to the hacienda. You will saddle the horses and get ready for your first dressage lesson. Each rider is picked up where his or her current training level is. The exercises and training focus are adapted to the ability of each student. The team's main goal is for you to enjoy your lessons. After that, you can relax in the garden with a book or take a dip in the pool. However, you also have the opportunity to watch the training of the horses or other riding students and also learn and benefit from it. You will have lunch with all the riders as part of the family. In the afternoon you will have a second dressage lesson.

 

Day 5: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and driven to the hacienda. You will saddle the horses and get ready for your next dressage lesson. Today you will work on what you did not manage to do the day before and maybe even improve. After a short break, your second seat exercise on the lunge is on the program. After that, you can relax in the garden with a book or take a dip in the pool. You will have lunch with the family. In the afternoon, you will have another dressage lesson.

Day 6: Today is your last dressage lesson. You will have another chance to learn higher lessons and perform with your horse. Of course, this depends on your riding level. Lunch will be at the hacienda with all the riders. In the afternoon, after a well-deserved siesta, get ready to attend the classic flamenco show in Seville (ticket price: €35, not included). The show features 12 dancers of national and international fame, traditional singers and great flamenco guitars. After the show, you can reach an excellent restaurant after a short walk. It offers very good Spanish and international cuisine and some excellent Spanish wines.

Day 7: There is a free transfer to the airport and train station. First departure at 8 am and last at 11 am.

Intensive Dressage Program with Rafael Soto:

This program is basically the same as the Intensive Dressage Program, except that instead of 8 dressage sessions on site with the trainers, you will have only 6 dressage sessions on site and instead 4 x 45-minute private lessons with Rafael Soto. In addition, there will be a final discussion with him and a certificate for each rider in his program.

 

Subject to change!

Accomodation
You will be staying at the 4* hotel in Carmona. The hotel is located near the hacienda. The rooms are bright, spacious and elegantly furnished. They are equipped with air conditioning, heating, satellite TV, minibar, safe, hairdryer and a complete marble bathroom. In addition to a tapas bar, a sun terrace and an outdoor pool, a sauna and various massage treatments are available (at an additional cost). In the morning, a sumptuous breakfast buffet is served (included).
The hotel's own à la carte restaurant offers typical regional specialties. However, you also have the opportunity to pursue your own taste preferences in one of the many restaurants in Carmona (not included). Private parking is available.

Lunch will be served at the hacienda where you will be spending the day. The food is cooked fresh and is healthy. Spanish dishes mixed with international cuisine are usually served. There is usually a 3-course menu with a salad side dish, which is offered as a buffet. Water, red and white wine are served with every meal. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day. Beer, soft drinks and snacks are also available for purchase. In addition to a seating and relaxation area, a pool is also available to cool off during the day.

Saddle & Tack: English tack

Experience: Intermediate and advanced riders, helmets are provided on the locations.

Horses: 45 Horses, PRE, Andalusians and Andalusian cross.