Transfer and Other Charges:

This is a seven night, six day riding program - commencing Sunday after 4.00 p.m., ending Sunday before 11.00 a.m.
The training consists of:
2 Lungeing sessions to improve the classical seat
6 group lessons with our Chief Instructor, Catalina Garcia Dow BHSII, ABRSTC
These lessons will determine the level and most suitable mount for maximum benefit during the 4 x 45 minute private sessions with Rafael Soto.

Participants will also have a chance to sit in and observe the lessons of the other guests.

OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

Visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art at Jerez de la Frontera.
Flamenco Show and dinner in Seville.
Last night cocktail/conference with Rafael and staff, where progress will be discussed and all participants will be presented with a Diploma and a signed portrait photograph with Rafael.

The dress at the riding center is very casual, even for the visits, jeans and T-shirts or a summery dress, are fine. We do have a laundry facility you can use here, too, so you don't even have to pack too many riding clothes.

In Spring, Autumn and especially in the summer months, it can get very hot, so to avoid feeling sweaty and sticky all the time, try to stick to natural fabrics, especially cotton. There are   
many fantastic new products on the market, including full cotton seamless underwear, which is a blessing for the trail rides. Don't forget about fine cotton socks, too.

Trousers:
Of course, nothing beats the comfort and protection that proper cotton breeches or jodhpurs afford for riding, but if you don't intend to ride much after your holiday, you can get by with cotton tracksuit bottoms or leggings.

Tops:
Should be fairly fitting, and it is better to have at least half sleeves for protection to the shoulders against sunburn or low hanging branches on the trail rides. Even in the summer, they are just as cool and for the ladies, are much more "supportive" and comfortable so you can concentrate on learning in your classes. If you come in winter, it's good to bring tops you can wear in layers, T-shirts, sweatshirts and vests. Sometimes it is quite cold and suddenly it gets hot, so it's good to be able to add or subtract quickly.

Helmet:
This is obligatory by law in Spain, though not always put into practice, but here in Epona safety of our guests is our first priority, so it is mandatory for all riding. Light colours reflect the sun and keep your head cooler and cooling vents are a huge plus when riding in hot conditions. Also, some helmets come with a detachable net lining, which can be rinsed out everyday?. Fantastic! We do have a few helmets to lend, but it is much preferable for each person to have his/her own, as a good fit is essential If you are buying a new helmet, do try various different trademarks and models as they come in different shapes and you should find the one which fits the shape of your head.

Footwear:
Short jodhpur or paddock boots are the best option as they are much cooler and easier to transport, but if you are serious about your riding, we recommend that you use half-chaps along with them If you do not have riding boots and do not want to go to the expense of buying some, you must bring string shoes or boots with a small, 1cm heel and no buckles. Please note, sneakers, canvas shoes or sandals are NOT acceptable, even for beginners.

Gloves:
We recommend you wear gloves at least for the classes. We will be teaching you to ride a horse correctly on the bit which requires a good contact, and if you are not accustomed to this, plus the warmer conditions, blisters can develop on the first day, which will definitely spoil you enjoyment of the riding for the rest of the week
 

Accommodations:

For all the programmes, accommodation and full buffet breakfast will be included at the Alcazar de la Reina,  a beautiful four-star Superior  category hotel in the heart of the historic and monumental centre of the old part of the city of Carmona, just a few minutes drive away from the Hacienda.

The hotel is full of history, charm, and elegance while at the same time comfortable and modern, and is located at only twenty minutes distance from Seville International airport , with breathtaking views over the fertile valley, the Vega de Carmona, all the way to the great river Guadalquivir, thirty kilometers distant, and the Sierra Morena mountain Range behind.

The name of the hotel comes from the Moorish term Alcazar, meaning a fortified Palace, and the Spanish, Reina, or queen. Therefore it is the Queen's Palace.

 The building was originally erected by the Moors in the 13^th century as a fortress adjunct to the Puerta de Cordoba, in an era when the town was one of the most important caliphates of Andalucia.

After the Moors were pushed back to their last strongholds in Granada and Málaga, in Medieval times, the Christian Kings of Castille also favoured Carmona to fix their royal residence in the region. Specifically, King Alfonso XI showed a fondness for the town, and while the royal residence in Andalusia was the Royal Alcazar in Sevilla, he housed his favourite concubine, Leonor de Guzman,  in the comfortable and impregnable  Alcazar de de la Puerta de Cordoba.

When he died of the  Black Plague in Gibraltar, his only legitimate child, Pedro I inherited the throne,  but due to the constant disputes for the crown that he had to suffer from his nine illegitimate half-brothers, he maintained Leonor prisoner in the palace until her death. He also favoured Carmona and built the Alcazar del Rey Don Pedro (now the Parador) as his royal residence.

However, as legend has it, during the fifteenth century,  another King of Castile, Juan II, embarking on another war with the Sultans of Malaga and Granada, sought the safest town in the province to house his beloved Queen and his heir, and keep them nearby. He chose Carmona as the most impregnable town and the Alcazar de la Puerta  de Cordoba as the safest and most comfortable residence for his family. From that time on it became known as the Alcazar de la Reina.

 The Palace, totally restored in the 1990s in the original Mudejar style, and refurbished in 2007, boasts spacious and elegant lounge areas and patios, a outdoor solarium with salt-water swimming pool, and a total of four different options for wining and dining: The Tabanco Restaurant, the Terrace Bar, the Tabanco Tapas Bar and the official Guinness Irish Pub.

Other services available in the hotel, which may be of your interest but  not included in the programme:

• Room Service
• Private Parking. There is a small basement car park which has to be reserved and a fee charged. However it is awkward to manoeuver and there is normally ample parking space  in the street in front of the hotel, in full view of the lobby and an outdoor parking enclosure a few meters away from the front entrance.
• Laundry and dry cleaning service
• Sauna, massage and beauty treatments (upon request and subject to availability)
• Business centre: fax and photocopy service.
• Wifi internet in all the public areas
• International magazines and newspapers
• Swimming pool towels
• Florist  (upon request and subject to availability)
• Outside of the normal Epona transfer times, shuttle service to/from airport and train station

The rooms are ample, airy, comfortable and very tastefully furnished and feature:

• Full en-suite bathroom (tub and shower)
• Air-conditioning and central heating
• Satellite T.V.
• Safe
• Minibar (consumption not included in the price)
• Hair-dryer

Meals:

All breakfast are included in the price of your programme, for the Rafael Soto clinic, Monday to Sunday and for all other programmes, Monday to Saturday.

Also included is the welcome tapas supper on Sunday evening.

Lunches will be served at Epona, and will consist of freshly prepared home cooked, combining mainly traditional Spanish dishes, which give you a taste of the renowned Mediterranean diet, with some International dishes and a selection of delicious home-made desserts.  In addition, a variety of fresh salad ingredients and fruit is always available.

We can cater to most diets including vegetarian  and gluten and lactose-free, etc..

The evening meals from Monday to Friday are not included in the price.

On Monday to Thursday you will find innumerable dining option in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, from elegant restaurant to tapas bars with tables in the street.

In the hotel alone there are five possibilities, including room service, if you just feel like a quiet night resting. About two blocks walk away from the hotel, you can find the city's hub of socializing, where, families meet in the evening for coffee, tapas or an ice cream. This is the Plaza San Fernando, popularly known as the Plaza de Arriba (the Upper Square) or la Plaza Redonda (the Round Square).

Equestrian:

Olympic size dressage arena 60 x 20 m
A 42 x 22 mts covered floodlit school with sprinklers
One additional floodlit dressage arena 30 x 15 mts. 
One multipurpose large arena: 50 x 50 mts.
A lungeing ring (20 mts. diameter).
There is unlimited "hacking" in beautiful countryside. You can ride
days and weeks, without stepping on a single inch of pavement and
without finding a single fence or gate.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Andalusian and Andalusian cross
Pace:		All paces according to riding level - 4 hrs per day
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    from Novice to Strong Intermediate
Weight:		Max 170 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 5 riders

* Floodlit covered school, 22 x 42m.
* Two outdoor schools , 15 x 30m, one of which is floodlit.
* Jumping manege, 50 x 50m, equipped with a variety of showjumps
   - there are still some jumping horses, but the center concentrates maily on dressage.
* International dressage arena 60 x 20m.
* Lungeing ring 20m diameter.
* Pony and beginner cross-country course.
* Stable -Yard formed by 26 loose boxes and 8 stalls.
* 22 small paddocks and 3 large fields for daily and permanent turn out.
REQUIREMENTS:
Elementary knowledge of dressage is recommended for maximum benefit. 
Maximum weight limit is 75kg - 170 lbs

There are horses and instructors prepared to cater to guests of all levels, from complete beginners to advanced riders. Groups are divided so as to keep the levels similar and these are usually comprised of 2 to 4 riders (in some occasions the groups could be of 5, in which case, the duration of the lesson would be extended). Although we are more dressage oriented, we also have over 10 jumping horses from schoolmasters for beginners to National C competition level.
The dressage work that you will be doing will mainly concentrate on riding your horse in a correct outline/frame, straightness, balance, transitions, lateral movements, flying changes (depending on your ability) etc. High School work on the stallions for advanced riders will be paid for separately as private lessons.
The excellent facilities include a large covered school will make your lessons more enjoyable.

The instructors:
All the instructors are British Horse Society qualified and speak fluent Spanish and English, so safety and knowledge are guaranteed, this way your lessons will always be fun, interesting and helpful.  Jane, who runs a BHS certification program, is a regional dressage judge and has trained numerous Andalusian Championship medalists. She and her daughters Caty and Vivi, are BHS and Spanish Federation certified instructors. While they teach all disciplines, they specialize in dressage and training students who plan to make teaching their profession. The instructors are particularly good with beginners and nervous riders. Caty, and at times Jane’s students of the BHS certification program, give the afternoon instruction. Many of Epona's Andalusians and Anglo Arabs are trained to a high level for the more experienced riders but the family is also especially good with beginners and nervous riders.

Fernando Garcia Carvajal - Director
Fernando is a Spanish citizen born in Guatemala. He holds a University degree in Architecture and speaks Spanish, English and Italian fluently.
He has ridden since he was a child and competed in show jumping. He has had a complete dedication to horses for over 30 years.
Fernando is Certified by the Spanish Equestrian Federation, The Association of British Riding Schools and holds the British horse Society and International Equestrian Tourism Federation Holiday Centre Manager Certificates.

Jane W. Garcia - Director
Jane was born in Scotland. She holds a University degree in Education and speaks Spanish and English fluently. She has been riding since she was a child and trained mainly in the UK.
Jane has been dedicated to horses and their care, as well as training students for over 30 years.
She is Certified by the Spanish Equestrian Federation and The Association of British Riding Schools . She is also British Horse Society certified, including certifications such as the British Horse Society and International Equestrian Tourism Federation Holiday Centre Manager. Jane is also a Dressage Judge.

Catalina García Dow - Chief Instructor
Caty has a British nationality but was born in Colombia. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French. She has a university degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She has been riding since she was three and competed since she was twelve. Her riding experience includes training in different European countries , such as Great Britain, Switzerland and France under international and Olimpic trainers.
She is a Spanish Equestrian Federation, Association of British Riding Schools and British Horse Society certified instructor. She has compeed in Show Jumping, Eventing and Dressage, but prefers Dressage.
Caty has also trained at the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art and at Saumur in France, home of the famous Cadre Noir.

Viviana García Dow - Master Horse Trainer
Vivi riding PRE Andalusian Sol
Vivi was also born in Colombia but has British nationality. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She started riding when she was three and started competing when she was ten, which has granted her many successes in different levels and disciplines.
She is a Graduate from The prestigious Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, having completed the four year course which honours her with the Title of “Jinete” (rider). Two of those years she was under the famous olimpic Medallist Rafael Soto, who she still trains with on a more occasional basis.
Before her education at the Royal School Vivi trained with different riders and trainers of international relevance both in Spain and the UK.
She is a Spanish Equestrian Federation, Association of British Riding Schools and British Horse Society Certified instructor.

Karin Borg - Senior Instructor
Karin was born and raised in Sweden, but speaks fluent English and Spanish.
She rode in Sweden as a child, then moved to Spain where she decided to become a professional rider and Instructor. She was a Student at Epona for two years and after obtaining her qualifications as an instructor and Ride Leader, (granted to her both by the Spanish Equestrian Federation and The British Horse Society), she then came to form part of the Epona Team. At present, she is a senior Instructor and Stable manager.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements