When we realized that our daughters would have alternating spring breaks for the next two years, we decided that instead of pulling one out of school, we’d plan separate trips. This year, the Angela’s visited Belize during Angela VI’s spring break. Emily and I then spent Emily’s spring break riding horses in Spain. Next year, we’ll alternate parent and child so we each get a one-on-one trip together.
For Emily’s week in Spain, we found a week of riding organized by the Epona Equestrian Center, located just outside the town of Carmona, about 25 minutes East of Seville. We didn’t know what to expect while signing up with the center, but the trip checked the boxes for Emily: an overnight flight with movies, daily trail riding geared to more experienced riders (not all nose-to-tail walking), and tasty Spanish food. The weekly package included our accommodations at a hotel in town, morning horseback riding, daily lunch, and transportation to and from the barn. The center offered many different riding packages, we went with the most basic so we’d have our afternoons free to explore the area. In total, there were 10 riders connected with our group.
Epona did not disappoint and we had an amazing week. Every day, we’d enjoy breakfast at our hotel and then be picked up for the day’s riding experience. On three of the days, we took two+ hour rides through the surrounding countryside – rolling hills of wheat, olive and citrus groves. Each day we’d get a bit more advanced in the riding, from a walk and trot on day one, to a few different periods of cantering by the end of the week. One day, we rode to Jerez to watch the famous horse show, then another, we traveled to the coast for a nice canter along the beach and ride through one of the national parks. After our ride each morning, we’d return to the Epona center where we’d enjoy a family-style Spanish lunch together before getting transportation back to town. In the evening, we’d wander the winding cobblestone streets of Carmona at our leisure where we discovered some great dinner restaurants. Some nights we ate just the two of us, others, we joined other members of the group. One night, transportation was provided to Seville for us to wander the city streets before meeting the group for dinner.
We enjoyed a great week together. Of the group of riders, Emily and I were the least inexperienced. me being at the bottom of the experience chain. The center trains riders of all abilities. The most experienced in our group was actually a dressage coach from Scotland, visiting Epona for continuing education of her own. We learned that the daughter of the center, now the head trainer, performed in the Jerez show when she was younger.
During the week, we added an afternoon arena session for Emily. During the private session, she was able to experience a very well-trained horse that responded to her breathing and would go straight from walk to canter based on Emily’s leg positions. She is excited to try out the techniques she learned during her next opportunity at home to see if our local horses may respond similarly. I was happy enough to just stay on the horse and keep up with the group in a trot and canter while riding in English saddles.
A successful week all around, and we hope to return one day with the other horse-lovers in our family.
