Packages and Options

A free transfer service is offered between 3.30 pm and 8.00 pm. After these hours the service will be charged.

Sample itinerary
Day 1:  Sunday  Guests arrive in the afternoon (after 4.00 p.m.), earliest arrival time, either by pick-up in the airport or train station in Sevilla (10 - 20 minute drive) or by means of your own transport. Meet your hosts and get to know your way around. You may appreciate a dip in the private pool, or perhaps discover the pleasures of the Spanish afternoon "siesta" after a tiring journey. In the evening, you will be escorted to the nearby town of Carmona, one of the famous white villages of Andalucia. Carmona, is the oldest continually inhabited village in Europe and as you stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, inside the ancient fortified walls, you will feel and breathe the spirits of ancient cultures, Iberians, Visigoths, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, in the innumerable examples of their architectural influence in the churches, towers, palaces and mansions as well as in the inherited customs. Later, possibly under an indigo sky or in the interior of a centuries-old olive oil mill, you will savour the delights of the local cuisine which still makes full use of ingredients which compose the famous healthy Mediterranean diet, olive oil, garlic, onions, vegetables and fruit.
Day 2: Monday  Guests are welcome to join and groom the horses if they wish, or simple enjoy a leisurely breakfast. You start with a private longe lesson and then a small group session with head instructor Caty Garcia in the covered arena. The longe horses are so solid and rythmic that you only have to pay attention to your positions and transitional cues. On of the goals is to match each rider with the perfect horse for the week. With the number of highly trained horses amoun the 60 that are available, everyone will end up with the perfect mount. Caty is a talented and experienced instructor who has worked with many international competitors and holds some of the most coveted certifications in Europe. She will be persistent and commiteed taht all work is done properly and in a manner that keeps the horses happy and working toward the goal of Rafael's lessons later in the week.
Day 3: Tuesday ROYAL ANDALUCIAN SCHOOL OF EQUESTRIAN ART
Early breakfast at 8.30 a.m., leaving at 9.00 a.m. for Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cádiz, one hour away by car. Jerez is intemationally renowned for its production of sherries and brandies and your trip will include a visit to a famous wine shop where you will be able to sample some of the different local varieties. However, the main attraction of the day will be the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, an equestrian performance titled, "How the Andalusian Horses Dance" (Ticket Price: 23 €). Here you will be priviledged to see the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, at home in the breathtaking setting of their 18th Century palace and the riding hall. They will be performing piaffe, passage and the airs above the ground (courbette, capriole, etc) in a spectacle of light, music and colour, only to be compared with the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Here you will first meet with Rafael Soto, whjo is an instructor at the school. He will show you around the stables and give you some backgroung information of the school, the horses and the training methods they us.
EVENING: Dinner at Epona. Collapse with a book or board game.
Day 4: Wednesday Today you will graduate to full bridles and begin to attempt some of the finer movements of the capable horses. This means full instruction in how to hold the double reins and the different uses for the snaffle and curb bits. For those who have never ridder a passage, piaffe or flying change, the experience can be a bit overwhelming at first. Lots of smiles, laughs and even shouts of joy are common.
Day 5: Thursday  More instructions in the morning that may include another long lesson and then in the afternoon we all go into Seville to explore the old part of town. In the evening we go and see an excellent Flamenco show, before returning home and to get ready for the two big days to follow with Rafael Soto.
Day 6 and 7: Friday and Saturday Soto clinics
Today is the day that Rafael will be at Epona. Each student has two scheduled private lessonswith him today and again tomorrow. You can feel the excitement in the air. Rafael starts with talking you through the basics. Then, as the lessons progress, you try your hand at the upper-level movements - also concentrating on lateral movements to engage your horse. You may start with a bit of a walk and then a forward trot, using leg yield and shoulder-in. After concentrating on straightness on the long sides, bending correctly on the corners and many transitions within gaits, you may start your canter work, using counter canter as a gauge for your riding.
Towards the end of the lesson you may be encouraged in the upper-level movements. A lot of preparation times is used depending on the needs of the individual rider. Shoulder-ins begin at the of the short side, which makestransitions much smoother and easier on the horses. By Saturday afternoon you should all be doing flying changes on a serpentine - topped off with a few steps of passage and piaffe and , of course, you will try the Spanish Walk on your Andalusian horse.
The lessons end with a ceremony and diplomas for the riders.
Day 8: Sunday: After breakfast say goodbye to trainers, 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)

In Spring, Autumn and especially in the summer months, it can get very hot, so to avoid feeling sweaty and sticky all the time, try to stick to natural fabrics, especially cotton. There are   
many fantastic new products on the market, including full cotton seamless underwear, which is a blessing for the trail rides. Don't forget about fine cotton socks, too.

Trousers:
Of course, nothing beats the comfort and protection that proper cotton breeches or jodhpurs afford for riding, but if you don't intend to ride much after your holiday, you can get by with cotton tracksuit bottoms or leggings.

Tops:
Should be fairly fitting, and it is better to have at least half sleeves for protection to the shoulders against sunburn or low hanging branches on the trail rides. Even in the summer, they are just as cool and for the ladies, are much more "supportive" and comfortable so you can concentrate on learning in your classes. If you come in winter, it's good to bring tops you can wear in layers, T-shirts, sweatshirts and vests. Sometimes it is quite cold and suddenly it gets hot, so it's good to be able to add or subtract quickly.

Helmet:
This is obligatory by law in Spain, though not always put into practice, but here in Epona safety of our guests is our first priority, so it is mandatory for all riding. Light colours reflect the sun and keep your head cooler and cooling vents are a huge plus when riding in hot conditions. Also, some helmets come with a detachable net lining, which can be rinsed out everyday?. Fantastic! We do have a few helmets to lend, but it is much preferable for each person to have his/her own, as a good fit is essential If you are buying a new helmet, do try various different trademarks and models as they come in different shapes and you should find the one which fits the shape of your head.

Footwear:
Short jodhpur or paddock boots are the best option as they are much cooler and easier to transport, but if you are serious about your riding, we recommend that you use half-chaps along with them If you do not have riding boots and do not want to go to the expense of buying some, you must bring string shoes or boots with a small, 1cm heel and no buckles. Please note, sneakers, canvas shoes or sandals are NOT acceptable, even for beginners.

Gloves:
We recommend you wear gloves at least for the classes. We will be teaching you to ride a horse correctly on the bit which requires a good contact, and if you are not accustomed to this, plus the warmer conditions, blisters can develop on the first day, which will definitely spoil you enjoyment of the riding for the rest of the week
 

You will be living in an authentic 16th century Hacienda which is divided in two wings: the family house and the guest accommodation built around two connected patios (courtyards). The main courtyard houses the family residence, guest sitting rooms, office, tack-room and three double guest rooms and the family guest room, all with en-suite shower rooms. The working court-yard contains three further guest rooms all with en-suite shower rooms and the carriage block. Both patios are connected.
The rooms are comfortably but not luxuriously decorated, mostly with furniture that has been in the hacienda for years and from the Garcia's family. Single accommodation is possible, but a small supplement will be charged. You will find a tea and coffee tray, mineral water, towels, hair dryer, air conditioning and fan in each room.
You will also be able to enjoy the large lounge that used to be part of the live oil mill, where you will be provided with free wine and sherry. A smal