Western Riding & Natural Horsemanship, Spain
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Andalucian and American Quarter horses
Nature of horses:
Well trained and responsive
Number of horses:
20
Height of horses:
15-16 hh
Weight limit:
14 st/89 kg
Tack type:
Western
Pricing
Ranch Stay
The 2008 price is inclusive of full board accommodation, riding and transfers from Malaga airport.
£795 per person
£445 per person non riders
Please note you may pay for your holiday by bank transfer, cheque, credit or debit card.
Natural Horsemanship combined with Pressure and Release Training Clinics
£795 per person for 7 night short term Clinic.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This ranch offers a variety of tailor made packages to suit all needs and abilities. The owner has worked in the equestrian business for 25 years at ranches in Australia, the United States and the UK before moving to Spain. He is UK affiliate of A.Q.H.A.
Whether you are looking for a trail riding holiday away from it all or you are looking to enhance your horsemanship techniques this is the perfect location. Your host offers equestrian training in a variety of disciplines using natural pressure and release methods, which begin on site in the round pen.
Roy will enable nervous riders to gain confidence in the saddle with his quiet technique if you are nervous. This is a holiday where family members of all levels will be perfectly happy. Beginners will learn the basic techniques and experience riders will enjoy the trails our in this wonderful countryside.
There is also pleasure riding out into the beautiful Andalucian countryside where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air. Tranquil trails up through mountains and olive groves, fields of corn or sunflowers, past rivers and streams (and wait until you see the stunning sunsets!).
During the hot, hazy summer months, when temperatures reach 40 degrees by lunchtime, riding & training will take place early mornings and/or late afternoons/evenings. When not horseriding there is no reason to be bored (see other activities) or why not just relax by the pool with a good book and top up your tan
This is a very flexible ranch, the hosts of which are more than happy to advise you on a suitable programme.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is in four double bedrooms inside the cortijo and shared guests bathroom.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner to be freshly prepared daily by Shirley, an excellent cook with experience of real Spanish cooking! Meals can be eaten in the dining room or "al fresco" in the covered, shady terrace facing the pool.
Lots of fresh salads, vegetables, chicken, pork and fish, local desserts, local wines, water and fruit juices. The ranch is famous for quality pork, cured hams, breads and cheeses.
Special dietary requirements can be catered for on request. Shirley is renowned for her cooking and can produce wonderful tasty dishes for vegetarians and those on other special diets.
Within walking distance are two friendly Spanish bar-restaurants "Venta El Cordobes" and "Meson Diego"both offering excellent Spanish delicacies, try a "tapas" (small portion of food) with your beer! Worth a visit (or two!)
Activities
On site there is swimming pool and communal area which guests can relax by after a tiring morning or afternoons riding.
Fishing, birdwatching, swimming,canoeing, rockclimbing and scenic walks are among some of the activities at the nearby picturesque, turquoise lakes of El Chorro and Ardales. Here there are a handful of good restaurants and bars that have stunning and colourful views - a chance to enjoy the local cuisine.
Despite being Andalucía's fastest-growing town - Ronda retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town. It is famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevín through its centre. Visitors make a beeline for the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m chasm below,
Ronda is only twenty minutes by car. from the ranch so it will be easy for you to get to and soak up the atmosphere. There are supermarkets, restaurants, tapas bars, boutiques, good shoe shops and souvenir shops to browse. The bullring, one of the oldest in Spain, has an interesting museum with shop attached and once inside it is evident that Ronda was one of Orson Wells´ favourite haunts. A market is held in Ronda on Sunday mornings.
There is much here that children will enjoy including a wolf park, go-karting, crocodile park and the beautiful beaches of the Costa Del Sol just a short drive away.
Because the ranch is in a quiet location, you may wish to hire a car.
Further Details
Languages: English and Spanish
Health requirements: No specific health requirements but a reasonable level of physical fitness is desirable.
Age limit: None
Tuition: Yes
Included: Accommodation, in-depth training and tuition, all meals, airport transfer for 4 guests
Not included: Airfares, airport taxes, car hire, personal and medical insurance, there is a surcharge for transfer of more than 4 guests from the airport
Travel Information
The ranch is located at the foothills of the Sierra de Bandoleros
in the heart of Andalucia.
Free transport to and from Malaga airport for up to 4 persons (within sociable hours) For parties of more than 4 persons there is a one-off surcharge payable of 120 euros.
Only 1 hour from Malaga airport with good connections by road and rail.
Airport: Malaga
Alternative Airport: Seville
Programmes
Ranch Stay
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Whether you are an experienced rider looking for interesting trails; a beginner eager to learn the art of western riding or you wish to enhance your horsemanship technique, this ranch provides the perfect setting. Intermediate and experienced riders have the advantage of combined riding and training, on average totalling approximately 20 hours per week. The challenge of varied and mountainous terrain provides such riders with interesting trails of up to three - four hours per day. In addition to trail riding Roy is happy provide tuition in the roundpen for those wishing to improve their skills in the western saddle. Riding lessons are offered on various days throughout the week with length, level and intensity tailored to suit the individual. Please note guests cannot cannot have a lesson and go on a trail on the same day. A stay at the ranch would not be complete without taking some time to watch Roy work with the horses or, if you are lucky enough, even get involved. Roy's skill as a horseman and ability to work with horses using natural techniques makes him an inspiration to all who spend with him. He is always happy to include horsemanship training into the combination for guests of all levels and experience. Beginners are also welcome at the ranch and are invited to join a programme of lessons tailored to suit the needs of the individual. Due to the nature of the area and terrain beginners will spend their time in the round pen. However, Roy's skill and patience as an instructor provide the perfect start for those wishing to discover the art of western riding. Beginners are also welcome to join horsemanship tuition, another wonderful opportunity to learn about the western approach. They key to this programme is flexibility and programmesare tailored to suit throughout. Roy will discuss with guests throughout the week whether they would like to spend the day training, having lessons or trail riding. The Western Ranch also celebrates Christmas and welcomes guests to join them. The programme runs much along the same lines as usual although with lots of emphasis on fun and festivities. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Beginners to experienced |
| Type of ride: | Trails and Tuition |
| Total riding time: | To suit |
| Departure dates: | All year around |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Natural Horsemanship combined with Pressure and Release Training Clinics
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The 7 day Clinic offers intensive training in horsemanship, including Natural Horsemanship combined with Western training and riding : Saturday: Arrival and departure day. Arrivals should be within sociable hours, (between 10 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. approx). Outside sociable hours should be confirmed and there will be an additional fee of 50 Euros each way to be paid locally. Sunday to Friday. Intensive training including natural horsemanship combined with Western training and riding. 5 hours per day. Start and finish time depending on time of year. Practical participation and demonstrations. The Long Term (one month) course is for those interested in Natural Horsemanship and Western training using pressure and release methods, who would like to improve their riding skills for pleasure, reining and trail competitions. (Guests can join a clinic any day of the week and pay pro-rata, however they would need to make their own way to the venue (bus ,taxi or train). There is a bus stop right outside. Training is provided by a professional horseman who has successfully trained and competed in Western discipline. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 6 |
| Ability description: | Novice to advanced. |
| Type of ride: | Natural horsemanship tuition and training combined with western riding. |
| Total riding time: | As itinerary |
| Departure dates: | 26 July- 2 August; 23- 30 August; 20- 27 September; 25 October- 1 November. (No clinics in November and December) |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |