EPONA equestrian centre

If your ideal Holiday is to be somewhere where you can completely relax for a week and let someone take care of you and all your activities; If the place is Andalucía, Spain, renowned for its warm sunny weather friendliness and beauty.  

If you fancy staying in a unique 16th century Hacienda out in the country but at the same time very well communicated with the outstanding City of Seville and the oldest permanently inhabited city in Europe, Carmona. Put all of this together with the most important part for horse lovers: Lots of riding and permanent contact with beautiful, loving horses. If this is your dream, then EPONA is the place to come to.

UNIQUE TRAIN & TRAIL RIDING

Most holiday programmes offer either trail riding or tuition. We have tried to give you the best of both. Our programme allows you to enjoy the countryside around Seville in an alternative way which is unavailable to those who do not ride horses. At the same time we have strived to offer you the experience of riding the sensitive, honest Andalusian in his forte, dressage school work.

DRESSAGE

At EPONA we have 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 over 10 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 our 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.

JUMPING

EPONA as a yard, specializes in Dressage tuition and training. We encourage guests to take advantage of the excellent instruction in this discipline and of the responsiveness of our horses, who have been trained lovingly and conscientiously at all levels and are second to none. Both of these are difficult to come by in other establishments, in any part of the world.
We do, however, have also some excellent jumping horses, who are all kind and very honest. If guests wish to have some jumping lessons, either to replace the scheduled dressage lessons or as an extra, we can usually accommodate them with the following considerations:
The weight limit for jumping is 75K (11 ½ stone)

The rider will be assessed in flatwork, must be able to control and manoeuvre his mount in canter, and the instructor's decision will be final. Subject to the availability of instructors
In extreme weather conditions such as rainy, windy or more likely, very hot and dry, when horses will suffer from jumping on the hard ground, these will not be available.

INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Basically the same programme as: Train & Trail. The difference is that trail rides or hacks are replaced for lessons, and that two lounging sessions will be added.

The visit to the Royal Andalusian School in Jerez is included, not the beach ride. A Diploma will be presented to all participants.

 

INTENSIVE TRAINING DRESSAGE CLINIC

Who in the dressage world has not heard of the Spanish Olympic Team Silver Medallist RAFAEL SOTO?

His charisma has earned him the respect and popularity of Dressage enthusiasts and fellow riders alike, the world over.

That final gesture and enthusiastic 'There you have it', followed by the flamboyant Spanish Walk performed by his partner 'Invasor' as they leave the ring, has become their trademark, and provokes uproars of applause and attracts audiences, wherever they go.

What most people don't know is that the spectacular 'Invasor' was a  difficult horse in his youth and was rejected by other riders as 'impossible to train', due to his immense size, strength and laid-back disposition.

TRAIL RIDING   (click here for the weekly programm)

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.

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 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.