Sun, Sea and Horses
The Andalusian Dream By Charley Snowdon
Charley Snowdon travels to Andalusia in Spain to discover what makes this region the ultimate travel destination for all horse loving sun seekers.
the people of Jerez are Sherry, flamenco and horses”, says welcoming tour guide Maria.
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The weather in Jerez is described as ‘hot, hotter or scorching’ and I am greeted to the glorious ‘hotter’ of the three adjectives. “Jerez was a Moorish fortress founded in the 11th century”, explains Maria. “Every year in the first half of May there is a horse fair called Feria del Caballo, where people travel from miles around to buy, sell and show off their Spanish horses. Everyone wears traditional dress and the horses and their riders are turned out beautifully, it really is spectacular.”
The peoples love of horses is evident throughout the cities many impressive equine themed, bronze and historic statues. “Jerez is the birthplace of the Carthusian horse or, as we say in Spain, the Caballo Cartujano which is a sub-strain of the Andalusian”, explains Maria. “The name comes from the Carthusian monks who refused back in the latter 1400’s to breed their precious Andalusians with Neapolitan and European stock. They therefore kept the continuation of their own jealously guarded bloodline for almost 400 years.”
Situated in Jerez city centre is the world renowned, Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art with its impressive carriage museum.
Founded in 1973, the school is an institution dedicated to the preservation of the spanish equestrian arts. “The school is a true
ocated on the southwesterly tip of Spain lies the ‘Sherry Triangle’ of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda. “The three most important things to
social vehicle to preserve the equine heritage and culture of Andalucia”, explains our tour guide Juan. “We aim to preserve the Purebred Spanish Horse for conservation and research by selecting and breeding from only the finest lines.”
The school only has six openings a year for aspiring pupils from all over the world. Places are highly contested and the selection process is intense and rigorous. “Riders have to be between 16 and 24 years old to apply for the four year course”, explains Juan. “Applicants have to first pass a practical and then a written exam to even be considered for a place here.”
One of the main aims of the school is to train equestrian professionals in a array of disciplines, including dressage, carriage driving, horse- manship and breeding. “Technical training courses are also offered by our internationally renowned riders” continues Juan. “We use specially selected purebred Spanish horses to teach pupils the art of Haute Ecole, this is the term we use for classical dressage movements in which the horse leaves the ground.”
The schools Picadero, indoor arena, where riders are taking part in their daily schooling session is breathtakingly beautiful and resembles a rectangular shaped amphitheatre. The arena is framed with the nations flags and the ambiance is one of theatrical drama. “The school performs three shows a week in the summer and two in the winter called ‘How the Andalusian Horses Dance’”, says Juan. “The shows attracts up to 5000 visitors a week and gives the riders and horses a platform to showcase their extraordinary skills.”
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