Spain, Malaga – Countryside Rides and Dressage Lessons
In an area surrounded by beautiful vineyards and olive groves, Christine, Paul and their friendly staff welcome you to their charming farm with open arms. The 200 year old farmhouse has been meticulously renovated over several years, and in the past year has now started receiving guests. There is a warm and personal atmosphere, and the family does everything they can to ensure a wonderful and relaxing riding holiday. The large number of returning guests shows that they have succeeded. Generally, you will ride two to four hours a day; a ride in the beautiful surroundings, and a dressage lesson. Things are flexible, however, and can be customized to your wishes.
The English couple Christine and Paul and their friendly staff welcome you to their charming farm houses and apartments 40 minutes north of Malaga.
Christine grew up with horses and when they decided to invest in a farm in Spain, she brought her Irish sport horses Jasper and Meg with her.
Christine and Paul are passionate about helping animals in distress. Several of their horses are "rescue" horses that have been trained with great patience to become fine riding horses again. Even abandoned dogs find their way here and several guests have taken one of them home.
There is a covered arena with roof measuring 20 x 60 meters.
Accommodation and Food
This beautiful farm from the 1800s is surrounded by beautiful olive groves and vineyards and framed by La Comorra Mountain in the north and La Sierra del Torcal in the south. You stay in nice 1-3 room apartments with shower / toilet. The rooms have been sympathetically refurbished in traditional Andalusian style with bamboo ceilings and rustic tiles.
Towels and sheets are provided. There is also a fridge and kettle and free Wi-Fi.
Single rooms can be booked without charge, but it can be in a two-bedroom apartment where you can have your own room but share the common areas.
The price includes half board (breakfast and dinner). You can buy a light lunch (ex. sallad, soup, baguette etc) on location for about 8-10 EUR. Breakfast is a continental buffet breakfast. Dinner is 3 courses with coffee. During the hot summer months, you can eat out together in one of the cozy patios and on chillier days, people gather in The Chapel in front of the open fire before dinner is served.
There is a covered swimming pool (solar heated) that makes it possible to swim almost year round (not heated between november-february). During the summer the poolroof is opened. There are several seating areas and pleasant gardens to relax in. There is also a small shop where you can buy drinks, snacks and souvenirs.
Riding
You generally ride about 2-4 hours per day. Depending on when you arrive, you will first go through your stay, what and how much you want to ride. You will also find time for a first lesson to check your riding level. Usually, you will ride in the counryside about 2-3 hours in the morning and have a lesson in the afternoon.
They normally do a bar hack on a Fridays (weather dependent). This is a 4 hour hack with breakfast and guests are loving it. It includes a ride to the bar, a Spanish breakfast and a ride back.
Back at the Cortijo you are served an early evening meal at around 2pm. You are then free to explore surrounding villages and cities during the evening. A free transfer to Antequera can be arranged. You must return at a time convenient to the Cortijo by Taxi.
The lessons are approximately 1 hour and are appropriate for your riding experience with about 2-5 people / lesson. The educational level of the horses is relatively high. They are suitable for both beginners and medium riders who can do leg yielding, shoulder in and half pass.
The surroundings are perfect for beautiful rides, and there are many wonderful rides to experience.
Typical Itinerary
You will be horseback riding through beautiful scenery at a pace that suits your abilities, from 1 to 3 hours. The rides are well thought out and above all, relaxing and great fun. On the return trip to the Cortijo there is plenty of opportunity to canter through the vines & olives. Lesson for an hour in our large sand school arena.
In the hotter months (July-August) the schedule change: You ride at 8.00am in the cool breeze and return to the Cortijo for breakfast. Summer also gives us many more riding options as the crops are removed from the fields which gives many more long canters to enjoy.
Day of arrival on any day apart from Friday
We suggest that you arrive around midday. Rooms are not guaranteed available until 2.00pm.
If you do arrive earlier than this and require lunch, can we please be advised beforehand. You will receive a guided tour of the Cortijo and the information boards. Your riding assessment will be around 4.30pm.
If you arrive after dinner time, you will have food left in your apartment and a generic breakfast basket.
You will also receive a riding assessment in the morning after before you can ride with the hacks.
Day of departure
You may have a trail ride in the morning, if your flight times allow. You must leave the Cortijo 3 hours before flight time to ensure a smooth transition.
Horses
You will have more than thirty different horses to choose between. Most of the horses are PRE (Pura Raza Española), but there are also Arab Thoroughbred crosses, Irish Hunters and a number of ponies. The size of the horses varies from 140-162 cm (55-64 inches) at the withers. The horses are trained up to intermediate level, including leg yielding, shoulder in and half pass but a number of the horses are trained to an even higher level.
Most of the horses are ‘Rescue Horses’, which have, for a variety of reasons, been mistreated or injured and through patient and knowledgeable training have become excellent riding horses.
Golf
Want to combine the riding with golf or maybe you have a partner who does not ride and would rather play golf ? then there is Antequera International Golf Course about 20 minutes from the equestrian center.
Climate
Andalusia has a warm climate all year round and they are lucky to have many warm, sunny days right through winter.
The temperatures are pleasant from April to early November. And in the hottest months of July and August they change the riding schedule to hack in the early morning breeze and the gentle wind of the late afternoon.
Travel Information
Ability description: Trail Ride Level 1-3 >>
Dressage Level 1-4 >>
Included in the price:
Week: 6 nights, 5-6 days riding, half board incl. house wine (2 glasses) at dinner.
Short week: 4 nights, 3-4 days riding, half board incl. house wine (2 glasses) at dinner.
Weekend: 3 nights, 2-3 days riding half board incl. house wine (2 glasses) at dinner.
Not included: Flights, transfers, lunch, drinks other than mentioned.
Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
You fly to Malaga.
Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and transfer is paid to your driver in cash only.
From Malaga airport to equestrian center, about 1 h drive with car.
Price 2025: 190 EUR return /same booking (max 4-5 persons)
Time: Between 8.00 AM and 7.00 PM.
Other times, 7.00 PM - 9.00 PM the price is 150 EUR /car one way. If you arrive after 9.00 PM or depart before 8.00 AM we recommend you to book a hotel near Malaga airport, for example Holiday Inn Express.
Meeting point: At the main glass hall before the exit at Malaga airport. The driver will wear a turquoise t-shirt with the riding centres name. They stand outside the area with the metal barriers as they are not taxi service. Go right ahead toward the internal cafe area., not right and out. If other guests arrive at a similar time you can be asked to wait up to one hour.
Train: It is also possible to go by train from Malaga to Antequera train station, you find train times at www.trainline.eu.
Transfer from the train station to the equestrian center, about 30 minutes by car.
Price: aprox 80 EUR/car/return.
Arrival day: The room is ready for check in at approx.14.00pm. If the room is ready before you are more than welcome to have the room earlier. Departure day: Check out at 10.00 am. If the room is not occupied that same day, you can keep your room until departure.
Optional arrival/departure: You can choose another arrival day (except Fridays) and departure day, just mail us on info@horsexplore.com
Season: All year. Any weekday (except Fridays).
Single room: Can be booked without a supplement if available at the time. It may be in a two-room apartment as you have your own room but share WC/shower.
Currency: EUR
Credit card: Accepted by riding center.
Tipping: Not required.
Wifi: Yes
Electricity jack: EU standard
Group size: Minimum 1 and maximum 10.
Age limit: Min 12 years
Weight limit: Max 90 kg strict
Pool: Yes, not heated November- March
Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmets, boots and some protective vests.
Special diet: Inform when booking.
Feedback from our travellers
A Fantastic First Riding Trip for the Whole Family!
"Great food, and it was a surprise every day to see what the chef had prepared. Perhaps our 0-year-old wasn’t as enthusiastic about the food... It felt like they have a strong focus on safety during the riding, which is reassuring when traveling with children. Everyone was very friendly, and there was a warm, family-like atmosphere on the farm. Our first riding trip, and it exceeded our expectations. The whole family wants to come back."
– Anna Magnusson
A Professional and Educational Experience!
"We felt very welcome, and the accommodation was beyond expectations! The riding was very professional. I learned new things in such a short time. A fantastic experience, riding both trail rides and dressage. Completely satisfied, would love to return!"
– Kerstin Sjöberg
The Best Riding Trip We’ve Ever Had!
"This was our 8th trip (we’ve traveled with various organizers and on our own) and this was by far the best. Horses, accommodation, food, and service were absolutely top-notch!"
– Caroline Hallqvist
Fantastic Accommodation and Well-Cared-for Horses!
"The room was absolutely beautiful, and the ranch was very well-maintained. Excellent food and beautiful, well-cared-for horses. You can tell they are well taken care of here. Worth its weight in gold. Everyone on the team, from housekeeping to kitchen to stables, was fantastic and friendly!"
– Lena Olin
The Feeling of Coming Home – A Favorite Trip!
"Since we’ve been to the same place three years in a row, we know what to expect. More guests we’ve met each year, making it a warm reunion. It really felt like coming home when we walked through the gate this year, with mostly the same staff, and we got to meet friends we had spent time with the previous year."
– Susanne Lind
Similar tours
Italy - Lazio Castle Ride
Italy - Tuscany
Spain, Mallorca – Dressage, Jumping & Trail Rides
Scotland - Glasgow
France - Lot Valley
