Horse riding holidays in Spain

‘In all, this trip was fabulous! We felt like we were in a private hotel with no other guests and a private chef! Only three of us stayed inside the gates, enjoying the pool and oasis-style gardens—dreamily good! The food was great; Natalia is a gem! Lunch is the main meal, and it’s big! We opted to go walking afterwards to avoid a food coma! I rode Morante. He is a gentleman, and I couldn’t fault him. A perfect horse for me on the ride, he had loads of go when I wanted it, was happy to cruise along, and was super responsive and fluid. I think I’ll be spoilt when I ride anything else now. Our host, Miranda—where to start? She is warm, humble, cheerful, and so knowledgeable about horses and this beautiful region. I feel privileged to have spent the week in her company. The cultural exposure of this trip was wonderful and one of the reasons I chose it. Apart from sensational horses and people, I was moved to think that we had private demonstrations from one of Spain’s top equestrian families—wonderful people and horses, and such a fantastic experience. The flamingo night was another highlight. Giles explained that the flamingo world is quite closed, so having this local troupe come and perform for (and with!) us was another massive privilege. Coin is not a tourist town, so these are genuinely passionate local people.’

‘The Catalonia Ride was my first Globetrotting trip, and it was incredible! Before my ride, I was a little worried that I’d struggle with the long hours, but the well-organised itinerary, the beautiful Andalusian horses, our tremendous guides, as well as a little preparation, combined to make for a great experience. From start to finish, I just loved the ride. It was wonderful to see such varied landscapes, to ride such a beautiful, forward-moving horse who was a joy to ride, and to be in great company. It was a wonderful way to experience Spain. I would say it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as it was so much fun, but I plan on doing this again, so I can’t! This will be the first of many!’

‘As someone who greatly appreciates a lesson-based, confidence boosting itinerary, I am ashamed that I waited years in my Globetrotting journey to complete this ride! I came with absolutely no expectations, and it was a great introduction to Spain and the Andalusian region. The itinerary was beautifully balanced between saddle and lounge time at the equestrian centre, and personal time in Carmona. My instructor Doris balanced each day amazingly between learning new movements, working on technique, and providing exercises to continue working on at home. I could write a novel about my appreciation for my lesson horse, Terero! This is a perfect departure for anyone looking to return to the saddle, transition to English tack, build confidence or improve technique.’

‘I had the time of my life and absolutely loved the Dressage in Spain ride, for the second time! Some of the riding experiences were like a dream come true; I learnt so much to take home and left feeling happy and empowered. I rode Lucero – so amazing! Highly trained but spirited, so I had to ride properly. He gave me some unforgettable experiences that I have never had before. Such a lovely balance in the way he carried himself and beautiful as well. I nearly had to pinch myself to see if it was real! I couldn’t stop smiling – trying the changes and passage, and on the last day, we did Spanish walk, which was so cool! Thank you to all the staff and coaches for an amazing time!’

‘I did the five day intensive training ride, intensive being the operative word. It was testing, challenging and wonderful. The food was home cooked, fresh and authentically Spanish, but the biggest honour was being able to ride the Andalusian horses. They are highly trained and sensitive, and so much can be learnt from them. If you are just starting in dressage like me, I would really recommend doing this ride.’