Our new dressage gem is located in sun-drenched Andalusia, close to the coast and only an hour from Seville. José Manuel couldn't find a better place to finally realize his dream of creating a dressage center. The goal was to build a personal facility where every rider and horse is unique and taken care of in the best possible way in order to thrive, develop and feel good.
The equestrian center is located on the outskirts of the town of El Rocio which is a horse lover's paradise. All roads consist of sand and there are no traffic lights, street markings or sidewalks. The feeling is to be in the wild west in the 19th century. There are even bars with tables at rider's height, where you can put your glass and sit and enjoy your drink on horseback.
Many riders from Madrid and Seville have their summer houses here, as most properties also have a stable. From the street it looks like a normal residential building, but when you walk in you will find horses stalled in the same house where the family lives.
José Manuel studied early with a dressage master, but at the same time trained as an engineer with a focus on nature and the environment. However, after a few years of work in the adjoining national park, his passion for horses and dressage took over, so he returned to training horses and riders. Now he and his wife Maria have taken the step of running their own dressage center. Here you can ride on well-trained Spanish horses, PRE (Pura raza Espanola), PRE crossings and Lusitanos. There are both geldings and stallions, and you obviously have the opportunity to try both piaff and passage.
They have also chosen to focus on the food composed by a master chef and prepared from local quality ingredients. You are also offered a good wine for lunch and dinner. Enjoy José Manuel's dad's home grown tomatoes, freshly squeezed orange juice and eggs from the farm's chickens. The house is lovely with 6 meters in ceiling height, and there is an apartment as well as four nice double rooms upstairs.
Within 15 minutes by car you can enjoy a 30 km long golden beach and El Monte, a nearby village is also worth a visit. If you want to experience the beautiful art of dressage in a homely, warm environment, you should go here.
The owner and head trainer is José Manuel who early started to study with a dressage master, but also trained as an engineer with a focus on nature and the environment. However, after a few years of work in the neighboring national park La Doñana, his passion for horses and dressage took over, so he returned to training horses and riders.
