Train and Trail Week

Introduction
Southern Spain Spain
A riding holiday that was designed for those who share our passion for horses. The combination of "trail and training" is ideal for riders who believe that trail riding is one of the best ways to have fun, make new friends, relax from the stress of modern-day lifestyles and see Spain from another angle, while devoting some time to improving your horse riding skills so that your confidence in, and enjoyment of horses, will increase greatly over the week.
The immediate countryside allows for miles of open, slightly rolling land in which frequent trots and canters will be possible. Fast gallops are not possible, as we do not have turf. You will be riding through fields of wheat, sunflowers and olive groves, and orchards of orange and peach trees.

This peaceful sight, where the only sound you will hear will be the horses hooves, the birds and the breeze rushing through the wheat, will let your mind roll back to when the Romans cultivated this land 22 centuries ago and Cervantes rode these same tracks, when collecting olive oil taxes. You will be riding in a different direction every day so the rides are varied.

One of the rides will be in the Doñana Natural Park, one of the largest natural reservations in Europe. Here the terrain is very different to the land around Epona as you'll be riding through sandy dunes where the air will be scented by lavender, thyme, rosemary and the nearby ocean. You will be walking through the dunes and then you'll reach the virgin beach of "El Asperillo": the best spot for a trot and a long canter.  However if you don't know how to trot or canter or you don't wish to do so, you will be taken on a separate ride out where you'll go at the pace in which you're comfortable.

All our ride leaders are fully qualified and speak fluent Spanish and English. Normally the owner, Fernando will be your guide and will tell you about the Haciendas you pass on the rides, the agriculture and the history of the area. There are horses and instructors prepared to cater for guests of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced riders. Groups are divided so as to keep the levels similar and these usually are of 3 or 4 riders (in some occasions the groups could be of 5, in which case, the duration of the lesson would be extended). Although we are more dressage oriented, we have a few jumping horses from schoolmasters for beginners to National C competition level. The dressage work that you will be doing will mainly concentrate on riding your horse in a correct outline, straightness, balance, transitions, lateral movements, flying changes (depending on your ability) etc. High School work on the stallions for advanced riders will be paid separately as private lessons. The excellent facilities including a large covered school will make your lessons more enjoyable. All instructors are British Horse Society qualified and speak fluent Spanish and English, so safety and knowledge are guaranteed, this way your lessons will always be fun, interesting and helpful. 

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Accommodation is included at the Alcazar de la Reina.
This is a beautiful hotel located in the heart of the historic center of the city of Carmona, just a few minutes drive away from the Hacienda. The hotel is full of history, charm, and elegance while at the same time comfortable and modern, and is located at only twenty minutes distance from Seville International airport. It offers breathtaking views over the fertile valley, the Vega de Carmona, all the way to the great river Guadalquivir, and the Sierra Morena mountain Range behind. The name of the hotel comes from the Moorish term Alcazar, meaning a fortified Palace, and the Spanish, Reina, or queen. Therefore it is the Queen's Palace. 
The building was originally erected by the Moors in the 13^th century as a fortress adjunct to the Puerta de Cordoba, in an era when the town was one of the most important caliphates of Andalucía. The Palace, totally restored in the 1990s in the original Mudejar style, and refurbished in 2007, boasts spacious and elegant lounge areas and patios, a outdoor solarium with salt-water swimming pool, and a total of four different options for dining: The Tabanco Restaurant, the Terrace Bar, the Tabanco Tapas Bar and the official Guinness Irish Pub.
The rooms are ample, airy, comfortable and very tastefully furnished and feature two large (1m wide) single beds (for double occupancy beds are placed together, for twin, they have a space between), a full en-suite bathroom (tub and shower) with hair-dryer, air-conditioning and central heating, Satellite T.V., a safe and a minibar (consumption not included in the price).
Wi-Fi internet is available in all the public areas.



Other services available in the hotel, which may be of your interest but  not included in the program:

• Room Service
• Private Parking. There is a small basement car park which has to be reserved and a fee charged. However it is awkward to manoeuver and there is normally ample parking space  in the street in front of the hotel, in full view of the lobby and an outdoor parking enclosure a few meters away from the front entrance.
• Laundry and dry cleaning service
• Treatments (upon request and subject to availability)
• Business centre: fax and photocopy service.
• International magazines and newspapers
• Swimming pool towels
• Florist  (upon request and subject to availability)
• Outside of the normal transfer times, shuttle service to/from airport and train station

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
We are an Approved British Horse Society, Training and Examination Centre since 1985. We are used to training people of all abilities, from novice to advanced High School work. We are, therefore, happy to split riders into various groups and adapt our program as necessary to suit both experienced and less experienced riders.

Horses
Our horses are the most important thing for us. They are the ones who truly make this Equestrian Vacation something unique. There are over 60 horses of different breeds, shapes, sizes, levels of training and temperament. With this large number we can match each guest with the ideal horse. There is also the option to change horses if the horse and rider are not getting along.
Most of our horses are Andalusians or Andalusian cross breeds but we have lots of others breeds such as Warmbloods (Hannoverian, Holsteiner and Oldenburg), Anglo-Arabs, Thoroughbreds, different breeds of ponies and others.
But most importantly we would like to emphasize the good nature and willingness of all our horses. We have no kickers or biters and besides their training and work, we think they are all special in their own way; they are all individuals and so they are treated as such. Our horses are a part of our family.

Staff
Every instructor is fully qualified by the British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools and the Spanish Equestrian Federation. They all speak Spanish and English.
All ride leaders and assistant ride leaders hold diplomas from British Equestrian Tourism and the Federation of International Equestrian Tourism (FITE). You will only be taught or led by bilingual staff (some multilingual). All ride leaders carry mobile phones to summon rapid help in the unlikely event that this is necessary.



Facilities
Olympic size dressage arena (60 x 20 m)
Covered floodlit school with sprinklers (42 x 22 m)
Additional floodlit dressage arena (30 x 15 m)
One multipurpose large arena (50 x 50 m)
A lunging ring (20 m. Diameter)
There is unlimited "hacking" in beautiful countryside. You can ride days and weeks, without stepping on a single inch of pavement and without finding a single fence or gate.  

Hard Hat
It is obligatory by law in Spain to wear a riding helmet for all riding activities. We do have a few helmets out, but it is preferable for each person to have his/her own, as a good fit is essential.

Itinerary


These sample itineraries are subject to changes at tour operator's discretion. Shorter tour options are also available.

Sample Itinerary: 7-day Train and Trail - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Guests arrive in the afternoon either by pick-up at the train station in Seville (10 - 20 minute drive) or by means of their own transport. A free transfer service is offered at 4:30 pm from the Santa Justa Train Station. You will then be escorted to your hotel in 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, 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.
After you are settled in, you may appreciate a dip in the pool, or perhaps discover the pleasures of the Spanish afternoon "siesta" after a tiring journey.
A member of our team will meet you in the hotel lobby at 8.15 p.m. on Sunday evening, to go to the welcome dinner along with the rest of our guests for the week. The meal will normally start at 8.30 p.m. During the meal you will be going over the week’s schedule and morning transfer times among other topics.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 2 (Monday): Old Hacienda Ride & Lesson
Mount up for the Old Hacienda Ride (now completely renovated), a relaxed hack around the immediate countryside, through olive groves and eucalyptus trees.
Depending on the season, you could see fields of sunflowers, wheat and cotton, as well as melons and water melons in late summer. The ride takes you past impressive 16th and 17th century Haciendas and Cortijos, which have stood here since the days when Cervantes rode these same trails, collecting olive oil taxes. Return to the riding center for lunch.
In the afternoon, equitation lessons will take place in the late afternoon when life is a little cooler. It's a great chance to improve your school work or dressage.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 3 (Tuesday): Jerez Visit & Lesson
Early breakfast and pick up at the hotel at 8:30 a.m. for Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cádiz, (1.5 hours away by car). Jerez is internationally renowned for its production of sherry and brandy. 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: 27 € - not included in package). Here you will have the privilege of seeing 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, cabriole, etc) in a spectacle of light, music and colour, comparable only with the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Fernando is well known at the school and is good friends with many of the world famous riders. Vivi trained at this school for 4 years and frequently performed in the show.
Return for lunch at the stables, followed by lessons in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 4 (Wednesday): Roman Bridge Ride & Lesson
After breakfast and a quick transfer to the Hacienda, mount up and set off across country for the Roman Bridge. Depending on the time of the year you could be riding through fields of sunflowers, wheat, cotton, oranges or peaches, through olive groves with ancient trees still carefully tended and nurtured. It is a countryside where there are very few fences.
A landscape rich with patchwork of different crops, still rotated year by year as they have always been, with wide headlands of uncultivated land separating one field from another and providing a natural bridleway across country. The variety of wild flowers, butterflies and birds.
Along the way you may come across the river, full and flowing in spring, cool and shallow in summer, a natural heaven for wildlife, with abundant vegetation all year round. Splashing through the shallows, terns and grebes, you'll emerge at an old Roman Bridge and shady eucalyptus grove. After a break and a few photographs, ride back home for a late lunch.
Lesson in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 5 (Thursday): Donaña Natural Park Ride & Lesson
Today, we set off early to the seaside village, where sturdy Spanish horses, all in Spanish Andalusian cowboy tack (montura vaquera), will be waiting to take you on a Beach Ride. The ride takes you on an unforgettable route through the Donaña Natural Park, bordering the National Park of the same name, one of Europe's last true wilderness regions and one of the largest wildlife reservations in Spain. The ride will take you over the golden dunes, brushing through fragrant wild lavender, rosemary and thyme. The area is home to many species (some protected), such as fallow deer, boar, fox, lynx, imperial eagles, kites, vultures, storks, flamingos and herons.
You will ride down to the beach and then it's time for the horses to wet their legs and for those who want to, a canter through the surf. After the ride, we head back to the center for lunch.
Lesson in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 6 (Friday): Fields Ride & Seville
We set off across open country for our last hack of the week, through olive and orange groves, past farmers working the land. How strange, in a region where there are no bridle paths the horse can wander anywhere as long as you have respect for the crop. In all our years here we have never had a farmer object to us crossing their land. On the contrary, they are always pleased to see us. In Andalucía, everyone understands and loves the horse.
Return to the stables for lunch. In the afternoon, after a well deserved "siesta", we will go to Seville to visit a tack shop. After a short walk, we will arrive at an excellent restaurant providing both Spanish and International cuisine for the last dinner of the holiday and some superb Spanish wine.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
We offer complementary transport to the airport and train station. First trip at 8.00 am and last will be at 11.00 am.
Have a nice journey home, we hope you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to welcoming you back!
Meals included: Breakfast

If you choose the shorter 5-day program, you can choose to arrive on a Sunday or Tuesday, and Follow the program as above.



Sample Itinerary: 7-day Intensive Option - subject to changes

This option is designed for those who  prefer to concentrate on improving their riding skills, and enjoy the well trained sensitive horses, as well as the top class instructors.
This program is very popular with guests who come for the second time (or others who just keep coming back..) This option includes lessons in the morning and afternoon, plus  some lunge sessions which are excellent for improving  seat, balance and posture.  Sometimes guests like to change one of the  lessons for a trail ride... 

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Guests arrive in the afternoon either by pick-up at the train station in Seville (10 - 20 minute drive) or by means of their own transport. A free transfer service is offered at 4:30 pm from the Santa Justa Train Station.
You will then be escorted to your hotel in 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, 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.
After you are settled in, you may appreciate a dip in the pool, or perhaps discover the pleasures of the Spanish afternoon "siesta" after a tiring journey.
In the evening, you will be joined at your hotel by one of the hosts, for a  welcome dinner, where you will meet the rest of the members of the week's group and where you may clarify any last minute questions about the weekly program. This will be your first opportunity to 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 and vegetables. After some friendly conversation, you are free to spend the rest of the evening at your leisure, and to relax before the beginning of what we hope will be an unforgettable week.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 2 (Monday): First Riding Lessons
After breakfast at the hotel and a quick transfer to the Hacienda, be ready to mount up, after the trail riders leave for their morning ride. Everything is quieter now, ready for the dressage lessons. Your first lesson will be an assessment for your instructor, who will note your good points and the areas which need to be worked on. It is also the first chance for you to get used to your horse and the more sensitive style of riding required for the Andalusian and Iberian horses. Our goal is that you get as much improvement and fun out of your lesson as possible.
After a break, get ready for your first lunging sessions.
Once the lessons are over, relax with a book in the garden or by the pool. You are also more than welcome to stay and sit by the arenas and watch the daily training of our horses.
Meet the rest of the group for lunch in beautiful dining room and enjoy your first experience of typical Andalusian home cooking (courtesy of our resident cook) and sample our excellent local house wine.
Another lesson in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 3 (Tuesday): Jerez Visit & Lesson
Early breakfast and pick up at the hotel at 8.30 a.m. for Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cádiz, 1.5 hours away by car. Jerez is internationally renowned for its production of sherry and brandy. 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: 27 € - not included in package). Here you will have the privilege of seeing 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, comparable only with the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Fernando is well known at the school and is good friends with many of the world famous riders. Vivi trained at this school for 4 years and frequently performed in the show.
Return for lunch at the stables, followed by lessons in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 4 (Wednesday): Riding Lessons
The lessons will take place as soon as the trail ride leaves. As the week progresses so will your dressage skills, hopefully performing more advanced movements. After the lesson, stay and continue observing the daily training of the geldings, mares and stallions, from young and green to very advanced. We also train the schoolmasters regularly to keep them sensitive and in good shape so that our guests can enjoy and get the most out of their lessons with them.
In the afternoon, another lesson
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 5 (Thursday): Riding Lessons & Lunge Session
Same as Wednesday, except that today we will include your second lunge session.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 6 (Friday): Last Lesson & Seville
In the morning, enjoy your last lesson. By this time you might be performing some of the more advanced movements (this will depend on the rider's ability).
Last lunch at the riding center is the famous Paella accompanied by the not less famous (and very popular) Sangría.
In the afternoon, after a well deserved "siesta", we will go to Seville to visit a tack shop. After a short walk, we will arrive at an excellent restaurant providing both Spanish and International cuisine for the last dinner of the holiday and some superb Spanish wine.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at hotel in Carmona

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
We offer complementary transport to the airport and train station. First trip at 8.00 a.m and last will be at 11.00 am.
Have a nice journey home, we hope you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to welcoming you back!
Meals included: Breakfast

If you choose the shorter 5-day program, you can choose to arrive on a Sunday or Tuesday, and follow the program as above.



Non Riders
Some non-riding activities can be arranged for non-riding companions. Examples of these activities include mountain bike rentals, Land Rover tour in Donana National Park, Flamenco lessons...and much more! Inquire about the cost of these extra activities if you are interested.

Rates and Dates for Train and Trail Week

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Carmona
Airport: Seville
Transfer: Included from Santa Justa train station.

Climate:
                                                Seville area