Dressage Ride, Andalusia | Horse Riding Holidays in Spain | Globetrotting

Dressage Ride, Spain

6 NightsBeginner to AdvancedFrom €2,070 EUR?Tour costs €2,070 EUR which is approximately $3,632 AUD

Learn to dance to the majestic rhythm of the Andalusian horse on one of these dressage-based itineraries in Spain!

Overview

Centuries of equestrian tradition come to life on this extraordinary riding holiday in Andalucia. Under the guidance of world-class instructors, surrounded by peaceful countryside and vibrant culture, you’ll learn to dance astride impeccably schooled Andalusians. This is an unmissable opportunity to develop your riding skills in the heartland of the Spanish horse.

There are three unique itineraries to suit everyone from beginners right through to dressage professionals:

Intensive Training: perfect for riders of all abilities from beginner to advanced, with a combination of group, semi-private and lunging sessions, training novice and intermediate-level dressage skills and movements.

Classical Dressage & High School Training: for dressage aficionados, this is your chance to work on advanced movements such as Piaffe, Passage, and Spanish Walk with highly trained horses.

Rafael Soto Clinic: only available on select dates, this unparalleled week-long itinerary includes four one-on-one coaching sessions with dressage legend and Olympic silver medallist Rafael Soto!

Beyond the arena, you’ll witness a magnificent performance at the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, soak up the atmosphere in Seville, and enjoy the Garcia family’s generous hospitality at their idyllic hacienda.

Whether you’re advancing your riding or simply revelling in the magic of Spain’s equestrian heritage, you’ll be totally enchanted and thoroughly impressed by the Dressage Ride.

Fast Facts

  • Horse Breed:The majority of the horses are Andalusians, or Andalusian crosses; there are also a few warmbloods.
  • Pace:The pace varies from a walk right through to a canter.
  • Type of tack:English dressage saddles and bridles.
  • Time in Saddle:On average, 3.5 to 4 hours daily.
  • Ride Length:Classical Dressage & High School Training, and Intensive Training: 7 days, 6 nights (5 riding days).
    Rafael Soto clinics: 8 days, 7 nights (6 riding days).
  • Seasons:The Hacienda is open to guests year-round, except for the Christmas/New Year holidays and the 3rd and 4th weeks of August.
  • Group size:Intensive Training: a maximum of 6 riders.
    Classical Dressage & High School Training: a maximum of 2 riders.
    Rafael Soto Clinics: a maximum of 4 riders.
    Please note, itineraries run simultaneously.
  • Riding Ability:Intensive Training: beginner to advanced.
    Classical Dressage & High School Training, and Rafael Soto Clinics: strong intermediate to advanced.
    Please be advised, if booking either Classical Dressage or a Rafael Soto clinic, we recommend you have a keen interest in Classical Dressage.     Not sure what your riding ability is? Watch THIS video to find out.
  • Weight Limit:Intensive Training: a maximum of 85kg / 190lbs
    Classical Dressage & High School Training, and Rafael Soto Clinics: a maximum of 80kg / 176lbs     It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
  • Minimum age:14
  • Accommodation:You will be accommodated at Alcázar de la Reina, a charming hotel in the heart of the old district of the town of Carmona, just a 10-minute drive from the Hacienda. The hotel has an on-site restaurant that opens for dinner at 7:30pm (an hour earlier than most of Spain!). Guests are also invited to enjoy an hour in the sauna free of charge.
  • Inclusions:

    The price includes accommodation, breakfast and lunch each day, dinner on the first evening only, guided visit to Jerez (incl. tickets for the horse show), all riding specified in the itinerary, transfers to/from Seville (set times & locations) on the first and last days of your ride, and transfers between your hotel and the riding centre each day.

  • Exclusions:

    The price does not include international or regional flights; travel insurance (compulsory); staff tips (please budget for around 10% of the ride price); or dinner from Monday to Friday – your hotel is within walking distance of many restaurants in Carmona, so you’ll have your pick of amazing places to eat.

 

DEPARTURE DATES & RATES

NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 10% deposit - as part of our 10x 10% interest-free payment plan!
Departing AvailabilityTotal

Intensive Training 2025
7 days, 6 nights with 5 riding days.
Arrive Sunday, depart Saturday.

*This ride is offered weekly, year-round.

Available
From: €2,070 EUR ?Tour costs €2,070 EUR which is approximately $3,632 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: €2,415 EUR ?Tour costs €2,415 EUR which is approximately $4,237 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: €995 EUR ?Tour costs €995 EUR which is approximately $1,746 AUD - Non Rider?To twin-share with a riding guest
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

Classical Dressage & High School Training 2025
7 days, 6 nights with 5 riding days.
Arrive Sunday, depart Saturday.

*This ride is offered weekly, year-round.

Available
From: €2,665 EUR ?Tour costs €2,665 EUR which is approximately $4,676 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: €3,010 EUR ?Tour costs €3,010 EUR which is approximately $5,281 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: €995 EUR ?Tour costs €995 EUR which is approximately $1,746 AUD - Non Rider?To twin-share with a riding guest
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

Rafael Soto Clinic 2025
8 days, 7 nights with 6 riding days.
Please enquire for specific dates.

Limited
From: €2,820 EUR ?Tour costs €2,820 EUR which is approximately $4,948 AUD - Twin Share?Happy to share with another solo traveller of the same gender
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: €3,165 EUR ?Tour costs €3,165 EUR which is approximately $5,553 AUD - Single Rider?Happy to pay a booking supplement for own room
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

From: €995 EUR ?Tour costs €995 EUR which is approximately $1,746 AUD - Non Rider?To twin-share with a riding guest
Booking Request

2.5% credit card surcharge

Notify Me Of Future Departure Dates

Please note: Solo travellers will be required to pay the single supplement rate.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price includes accommodation, breakfast and lunch each day, dinner on the first evening only, guided visit to Jerez (incl. tickets for the horse show), all riding specified in the itinerary, transfers to/from Seville (set times & locations) on the first and last days of your ride, and transfers between your hotel and the riding centre each day.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
The price does not include international or regional flights; travel insurance (compulsory); staff tips (please budget for around 10% of the ride price); or dinner from Monday to Friday – your hotel is within walking distance of many restaurants in Carmona, so you’ll have your pick of amazing places to eat.

Accepted payment is by credit or debit card only. Depending on the ride you choose to book and your country of residence, there will be a 1.2% to 2.9% surcharge.

Click HERE to read more about our fees and charges.
Click HERE to read our recommendations on which cards are best to use to avoid international transaction fees.
WHY IS THE PRICE QUOTED IN EUR?
With our riding destinations, the currency is dictated by our ride partner in that country. Therefore due to fluctuating exchange rates we have to quote in the same currency.

Itinerary

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*Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.

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  • Intensive Training

    This is a six night, five day itinerary designed for riders of all levels who wish to concentrate on improving their riding skills, particularly in the dressage arena, and want to learn from the highly trained horses and top class instructors at the equestrian centre. The program includes group and semi-private lessons in the morning and afternoon, plus some lunging sessions which are excellent for improving seat, balance and posture. It may also be possible to change one or two of the lessons for a trail ride at some stage throughout the week, just for fun.

    This itinerary also includes a visit to Seville on the last evening, and a guided trip to Jerez de la Frontera to see the famous Andalusian Stallions perform (day 3).

    *Please note, the weight limit for this itinerary is 85kg/187lbs.

  • Classical Dressage & High School Training

    This is a six night, six day riding holiday designed for experienced dressage riders with a passion for Classical Dressage and an interest in the procedures used for training horses to perform at such a high standard. A unique opportunity not easily found at other establishments, guests will have the chance to gain a feel for the sensitive Andalusians, trained to High School level, and to enjoy some of the more advanced movements performed at this level, such as Passage, Piaffe and Spanish Walk. If you are working on establishing these movements with your own horses at home, being able to experience how they should feel, and the correct aids to produce such a movement on a horse already trained to perform at this level, is a wonderful opportunity and will further your riding and understanding of High School dressage.

    This program includes a combination of private lessons (one of which will be with Olympic medallist Rafael Soto!!!), semi-private lessons (2 riders), groundwork sessions (training piaffe, passage and Spanish walk), and lunge sessions where you’ll work on improving the classical seat. You will enjoy 2-3 lessons per day, including a final lesson on Saturday morning before you depart for the train station at 11am.

    This itinerary also includes a visit to Seville on the last evening, and a guided trip to Jerez de la Frontera to see the famous Andalusian Stallions perform (day 3).

    *Please note, the weight limit for this itinerary is 80kg/176lbs.

  • Rafael Soto Clinic

    No matter where you’re based, if you’re involved in the Dressage world, the name Rafael Soto will probably ring a bell. His charisma has earned him the respect and popularity of dressage enthusiasts and fellow riders the world over. Not to mention, he is a Spanish Olympic Team silver medallist (Athens 2004).

    This is a seven night, six day riding program (Sunday to Sunday). Throughout the week, the training and tuition consists of:

    – 2x lunging sessions to improve your classical seat

    – 6x group lessons (no more than 4 riders) with the equestrian centre’s resident instructors **these lessons will determine both your level and the most suitable mount for you to gain maximum benefit out of your lessons with Rafael Soto.

    – 4x 45-minute private sessions with Rafael Soto.

    Guests will also have the opportunity to sit in and observe the lessons of the other guests.

    This itinerary also includes a visit to Seville on the Friday evening, and a guided visit to Jerez de la Frontera (Rafael Soto’s home turf) to see the famous Andalusian Stallions perform.

    *Please note, the weight limit for this itinerary is 80kg/176lbs.

  • Want to enjoy some lessons AND trails?

    If you’re thinking a week focussed on dressage training is not quite what you had in mind, you might be interested in checking out the Train & Trail Ride which is offered by the same ride hosts. This is the perfect balance of classical dressage training with some ripping trail rides where you’ll be able to throw caution to the wind and float through olive groves, grassy meadows and enjoy a seaside beach canter.

  • The Andalusian Horse

    The Spanish horse, the horse of Andalusia. the star of the spectacle you’ll see in Jerez, “Como bailan los caballos andaluces” (How the Andalusian Horses Dance), is one of the most noble and the most appreciated animals in the world. Easy to train and truly spectacular in the development of the airs required in Classical Dressage and in the Spanish High School of Riding, the Andalusian is also very beautiful. Furthermore, its good character, elevated movements and extraordinary capacity for collection make it useful for many different types of sports and leisure activities. Because of these qualities, the great masters of equitation have always regarded it as the horse of highest perfection.

  • Transfer Information

    Complimentary transfers are available from Santa Justa Train Station in Seville only. Pick up on day 1 is at 4:30pm (just outside the AVIS rent-a-car office, which is INSIDE the station). If you fly into Seville airport, you will need to take the shuttle bus to the train station (which is 10-15 minutes away) in time for the pick up at 4:30pm. Alternatively, you can take a taxi straight to the hotel in Carmona.

    On the final day, the transfer can drop you off at either Santa Justa Train Station or Seville Airport. There are two transfers available: one departing from the hotel at 8am and the other at 11am. If flying out from Seville this day, please allow at least 3 hours between your transfer pick-up time and your flight.

What our valued Globetrotters say about Dressage in Spain

Dressage Ride, Andalusia, Spain - Globetrotting horse riding holidays

Hope Towle

‘As someone who greatly appreciates a lesson-based, confidence boosting itinerary, I am ashamed that I waited years in my Globetrotting journey to complete this ride! I came with absolutely no expectations, and it was a great introduction to Spain and the Andalusian region. The itinerary was beautifully balanced between saddle and lounge time at the equestrian centre, and personal time in Carmona. My instructor Doris balanced each day amazingly between learning new movements, working on technique, and providing exercises to continue working on at home. I could write a novel about my appreciation for my lesson horse, Terero! This is a perfect departure for anyone looking to return to the saddle, transition to English tack, build confidence or improve technique.’

Dressage in Spain, Globetrotting Horse Riding Holidays

Carly R.

‘I had the time of my life and absolutely loved the Dressage in Spain ride, for the second time! Some of the riding experiences were like a dream come true; I learnt so much to take home and left feeling happy and empowered. I rode Lucero – so amazing! Highly trained but spirited, so I had to ride properly. He gave me some unforgettable experiences that I have never had before. Such a lovely balance in the way he carried himself and beautiful as well. I nearly had to pinch myself to see if it was real! I couldn’t stop smiling – trying the changes and passage, and on the last day, we did Spanish walk, which was so cool! Thank you to all the staff and coaches for an amazing time!’

Dressage Ride in Spain - Globetrotting horse riding holidays

Kim Bourke

‘I did the five day intensive training ride, intensive being the operative word. It was testing, challenging and wonderful. The food was home cooked, fresh and authentically Spanish, but the biggest honour was being able to ride the Andalusian horses. They are highly trained and sensitive, and so much can be learnt from them. If you are just starting in dressage like me, I would really recommend doing this ride.’

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