Riding at Epona

Sunday

Arrive at Epona after 4pm: settle in, unpack, find your way around, introduce yourself to cats, dogs, horses and get to know your hosts. Take a dip in the pool, or join the locals with an afternoon 'siesta' after your journey. They are happy to pick you up from Seville airport at 3.30pm or from the train station at 4pm. After 8pm they can still pick you ap for a small charge.

Evening: Visit a typical tapas restaurant with Fernando in the ancient city of Carmona, the oldest continuously inhabited village in Europe. As you stroll through the narrow streets and past the fortified walls of the old town you can feel the spirit of the Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and other ancient peoples who have walked here before you.

Monday

Guests are welcome to join yard work and grooming if they wish, or simply 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 the cafeteria where you will have your first experience of typical Andalucian home cooking and sample their excellent local house wine.

Afternoon can be spent by the pool, or if you are feeling in need of culture, take the 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 schoolwork, dressage or jumping. Evening: Dinner at Epona, followed by a glass of fino or wine over table games or TV in the lounge.

Tuesday

After an early breakfast you will leave for Jerez de la Frontera, the world famous centre of sherry production. Your trip will include a visit to a local wine shop, where you will be able to sample the different varieties of sherry. However the main attraction of the day is the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre (The Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art) for a a thrilling performance of classical equitation. Here you will see the magnificent Andalucian stallions at their best, in their beautiful riding hall, performing piaffe, passage and the 'airs above the ground' such as courbette and capriole. (Ticket price extra €23) Fernando knows many of the world famous riders, so there's a chance you could meet some after the performance. You may even see Jane and Fernando's younger daughter Vivi in performance. She is one of an elite band selected as a student at the school. Return for lunch at Epona, followed by lessons in the afternoon.

Evening: Dinner at Epona. Collapse with a book or board game. Dream how you will make your horses dance next day.

Wednesday

After breakfast saddle up and set off across country for the Roman Bridge. Depending on the time of 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's a countryside where there are few fences. A landscape rich with a 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 bird life 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 haven for bird life, with abundant vegetation all year. Splashing through the shallows, past water voles, terns and grebes, you'll emerge at an old Roman bridge and a shady eucalyptus grove. After a break and a few photographs, it's back home for a late lunch and a siesta.

Evening: Equitation classes and dinner at Epona

Thursday

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 Doñana Natural Park bordering the National Park of the same name, one of Europe's last true wilderness regions and one of the largest wildlife reserves in Spain. The ride will take you over 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 late lunch and a 'siesta' by the pool. Rest, enjoy a drink, TV, games room, or a swim before your early evening equitation lessons followed by a traditional 'paella campestre' under the stars, washed down with wonderful home-made sangria.

Friday

Set off across open country for the last hack of the week, through olive and orange groves, past farmers working the land. It's strange that in a region where there are no bridle paths the horse can wander anywhere, as long as you have respect for the crops. In all our years going to Epona we have never had a farmer object to us using his land. On the contrary, they are always pleased to see us. In Andalucia everyone understands and loves the horse. Return to Epona for lunch.

Afternoon: 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 extra €33). The show includes over twenty 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.

Saturday

After breakfast it's time to say farewell. Say goodbye to horses, dogs, assorted animals, friends you have made and the Garcia family. Then you will be taken to Seville Airport or train station in good time for your departure. Check out by 12.00 pm