DAY 1

WELCOME TO EPONA!

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

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 Andalucía. 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

OLD HACIENDA EL ROMERAL

Guests are welcome to join yardwork and grooming if they wish, or simple enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Mount up for the Old Hacienda Ride 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 EPONA for lunch in our own cafeteria where you will have your first experience of typical Andalusian home cooking, courtesy of our resident cook and sample our excellent local house wine.

AFTERNOON can be spent by the pool, or if you are feeling in need of culture, take a bus into Carmona to explore the old streets, the archaeological sites or the Roman Necropolis, the second largest in the World after Rome itself. 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, dressage or jumping.

EVENING: Dinner at EPONA, followed by a glass of cool fino or wine over table games or TV in the lounge.

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 internationally 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 privileged 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. Fernando knows many of the World famous riders and you might also have the chance to see his younger daughter Vivi in performance. She is one of an elite group to be selected, in her fourth year as a student in the school. Return for lunch at EPONA, followed by lessons in the afternoon.

EVENING: Dinner at EPONA. Collapse with a book or board game.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY

ROMAN BRIDGE

After breakfast saddle 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, show this is a countryside where pesticides are seldom used.

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, past water voles, terns and grebes, you'll emerge at an old Roman Bridge and shady eucalyptus grove. After a break and a few photographs, it is back home for a late lunch and a siesta.

EVENING : Equitation classes and dinner at EPONA.

DAY 5 THURSDAY

BEACH RIDE

Set off early to the seaside village of Matalascañas, where beautiful Spanish horses, most in Spanish tack, will be waiting to take you on the 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 protected species such as fallow deer, boar, fox, lynx, imperial eagles, kites, vultures, storks, flamingos and herons.

Down to the beach and it's time for the horses to wet their legs and for those who want to, a canter through the surf. Then it's back to EPONA for lunch and a "siesta" by the pool. Rest, enjoy a drink, TV, games room, or a swim before your early evening equestrian lessons followed by a traditional "paella campestre" under the stars, washed down with wonderful home-made sangria.

DAY 6 FRIDAY

STUD FARM

 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 his land. On the contrary, they are always pleased to see us. In Andalucía everyone understands and loves the horse. Eventually we arrive at the fields of a top class Andalucian stud farm and if we're lucky get a chance to appreciate the noble and docile nature of the beautiful mares and foals grazing peacefully in the sunlight. We might even see some colts and magnificent stallions. Return to EPONA for lunch.

FRIDAY NIGHT

FLAMENCO SHOW

Change into your city finery ready to hit Seville. The first stop, one of the best quality leather and tack shops in the city (always a popular request) followed by a classical Flamenco Show (ticket price €32).

The show includes over fifteen dancers of national and international fame, traditional singers and wonderful flamenco guitar. 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.

DAY 7 SATURDAY

SAYING GOODBYE!

Have a nice journey home, we hope you enjoyed your stay at EPONA.

We look forward to welcoming you back!