Equestrian Vacations

Thanks to Phil, our guru when it comes to all things website related, you are more than likely to have found our blog by clicking on the shiny new ‘blog button’ on the home page. Much to our delight we are hoping that this will enable people to keep up to date with Equestrian Escapes news - everything from how Sarah is getting on training her youngsters to new packages and special offers.

To those of you who are new to reading our blog I am Lindsey and I have been wotking at EE for just over a year. Sarah is managing director, Lou works in accounts and Jose is in our Spanish office in Seville handling all of the non-UK bookings. Our office is in Tarporley, Cheshire. Sarah’s son Matt is also working in the office running his new business, Music Festival Holidays! From my desk I look out over Mark’s (Sarah’s husband) brand new Coi Carp pond and 10 acres of land where Julio, Nessa, Ferdie and Alfie (Sarah’s horses) roam in their little herd. We also have Hector and Lily Sarah’s dogs.

Earlier this week Sarah was struggling with what to buy Mark for his fast approaching 50th birthday. After mulling over several ideas we decided on a new Coi for the pond, who would have thought there were so many to choose from! In the end we went for..here goes.. a Doitsu Tancho Kujaku. Arriving at 7.30 this morning in a box shipped straight from Japan ‘Birthday’ the new appropriately named fish seems to be settling in just fine with his new friends.

For all non-fish related enquiries dont hesitate to call us on 01829 781123.

Last week Sarah and I left the cold Cheshire weather behind and flew out to Andalucia to visit some of our providers. We flew from Liverpool to Seville with Ryan Air, the have flights going direct on a Friday and a Monday! In Seville we picked up a hire car, what fun we had driving through Spain on the opposite side of the road. Our first assignment was to visit Jose and Clemence in our Spanish office on the outskirts of the city and what a fantastic job they are doing. It was great to get a feel for their setup, we are even considering installing a video link so we can discuss bookings ‘face to face’ as opposed to boring old email! Next thing was to drive to Jerez where we stayed in the most beautiful boutique hotel. Converted from an old shooting lodge that belonged to the Tio Pepe family, this exquisite 10 bedroom buliding is set in stunning gardens surrounded by the family vineyard.

The next day we drove out to stables where we rode with Alfonso, a famous name amoungst the EE team for charming the socks off our customers and boy did he charm! Alfonso was born into a family that for centuries has been at the heart of equestrianism in Jerez. He worked for five years with one of the most acclaimed professors of the Royal Riding School of Jerez and now works along side us to offer simply the best riding experience that Andalucia has to offer.

Our third and final destination was Tarifa. This area of the coast is known by the Spanish as La Costa de la Luz (coast of light) and as you gaze out on your surroundings you will quickly understand why, as the light in this region has a quality all of its own. After a long drive we settled into our hotel with a selection of tapas and a cold glass of chardonnay! The next day we were up bright and early for a morning beach riding with Katja. As we cantered along the vast stretch of white snady beach, and then continued up into the National Park land it was hard to imagine that in 24hrs we would be back in cold rainy Cheshire.

As midday passed we decided to get back on the road (opposite side) and head back to Seville where we would spend our final night. It wasnt long after we arrived at the hotel that we were off out the door again on a walking tour of the city with the amazing Paloma. Her passion and enthusiasm overflowed as she lead us thought the tiny side streets, passed the quaint tapas bars and up to the magnificent Alcazar.

Sadly on Monday we had to bid farewell to Seville, but dont worry we are already planning our next trip..Almeria and Granada!