Tip! Protectors providing a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitions and for working with horses. Protectors to this level should: Prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain.
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.
Tip! Much of the equipment, though, can be expensive, so you may have to concentrate on the books and videos, plus the other horse lover gift options below. However, if it is a special friend or relative you are buying for, and you want to add to their horse riding gear, then you should first find out what they already have and need, or what may need replacing.
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!
Tip! At any time in your horse riding career you may part company with your mount when you least expect it (or less politely get dumped!).
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!
Tip! There are many types of horse riding styles. The most basic are Western or English.
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.
Joanne Stanford is the founder and editor of http://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.
Jo’s holiday was with http://www.losalamosriding.co.uk - a british-run company
running riding programmes in Andalusia, Spain.
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