Classical Dressage Clinic

Introduction
Southern Spain Spain
This is a six night, six day holiday designed for riders with a good level of ability. It's for those who have a great passion for Dressage and are ready to work hard for a week to really get a "push on" with their riding. As well as this, it is aimed for people who are not only interested in the Classical Dressage ways of riding, but also in the procedures used for training these magnificent horses. This is a unique opportunity, not easily found at other establishments. Guests will be immersed in the day to day riding and training that goes on at Epona. It's a great chance to get a real good feeling of the sensitive Andalusians and Iberian horses, trained to High School level, and to enjoy some of the advanced movements, such as Passage, Piaffe and Spanish Walk, which even very good riders don't often get a chance to experience. This program includes many private lessons, one of which will be with Olympic medalist Rafael Soto, semi private lessons, ground work sessions (working on training piaffe, passage and Spanish walk) and lunge sessions, working on improving the classical seat. Most of the lessons will take place in the morning leaving most afternoons free for guests to enjoy some shopping or sight seeing in the nearby towns, if they wish, or, altematively, to stay at our facilities just relaxing or watching the afternoon lessons and other riding that might be taking place. (In fact, some guest often opt to join these lessons as an extra if places are available).

The Epona programs are set in an impressive 16th Century Hacienda where the García family will make you feel totally at home. The programme includes visits Jerez de la Frontera (to see the Show "Those Amazing Dancing Andalusian Stallions"), and a visit to Seville on the last evening for a typical Flamenco Dancing Show.

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 13th 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


Sample Itinerary - 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): Assessment
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 with 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 horse. Our goal is that you get as much improvement and fun out of your lesson as possible. After this first session, take a short break, then change to your new mount for your private lesson. After you have recovered a little it is time for your first lunge session, great for improving your seat, balance and posture.
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. Vivi, our main horse trainer will be more than happy to answer any questions about our training methods and our horses. Meet the rest of the group for lunch in beautiful dining room, where you will have your experience of typical Andalusian home cooking, courtesy of our resident cook and sample our excellent local house wine.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Carmona

Day 3 (Tuesday): Jerez Visit & Lesson
Early breakfast and pick up at the hotel at 9.00 a.m. before leaving 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, "Those Amazing Dancing Andalusian Stallions" (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 friend 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): Lessons
The lessons will take place as soon as the trail ride leaves. As the week progresses so will your dressage, hopefully performing more advanced movements. Today you will begin with the semi private lesson, followed by the private session. After a break, enjoy the unique opportunity to do some ground work. Our trainer will demonstrate on a one to one basis, the techniques used for training some of the more advanced movements. Ground work is a very strong part of the Classical Dressage style of training.
Once your lessons are over (or between them) feel free to sit by the arena and continue observing the daily training of the geldings, mares and stallions, from young and green to very advanced. We also school and exercise the schoolmasters periodically to keep them sensitive and in good shape for guests to enjoy and so they may get the most out of their lessons with them.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Carmona

Day 5 (Thursday): Lesson & Lunge Session
You will get another riding lesson as well as your second lunge session.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Carmona

Day 6 (Friday): Last Lesson & Seville
Today, you will be able to consolidate everything you have worked on during the week, under the ever watchful eye of Olympic silver medalist, Rafael Soto*. Depending on your ability, you will be confidently performing the more advanced movements with improved knowledge and technique today.
In the afternoon, we will go to Seville where we will 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

*Please note that although Rafael normally comes to teach on Fridays, due to his tight agenda, we can’t guarantee this is the day he will be here each week , and we sometimes have to make adjustments in our schedule.

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



Non-Riders
Non-Riders are welcome to join their riding companions. They might even have the chance, to take one or several lesson for complete beginners. Alternatively, they can enjoy relaxing by the gardens or go for a swim in the pool. There are many non-riding activities available like sightseeing, golf, Spanish language lessons, flamenco dancing or singing, massage etc. Some of these activities need to be booked in advance.

Rates and Dates for Classical Dressage Clinic

Dates Note:

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

Climate:
                                                Seville area