Transfer Option:

Guests arrive on a Sunday evening for dinner (after 6 pm) and receive an introduction to the program. Holidays consist of six nights accommodation, with full board for the intensive program and half board for the relaxed program. At the end of your week-long stay, departure is after breakfast (10:30 am) on the following Saturday morning.
Instructions are usually 2 riders to one instructor. Private sessions are also available for best results.

The aim is that each rider may achieve more clarity in the classical methods riding quality, purebred Spanish horses. Tuition is based on the philosophy of the old masters, which aims at the rider attaining lightness, elegance and harmony with his mount through precise yet light aids. Emphasis is placed upon an awareness of the individual personality of our partner the horse and on improving the rider’s seat to enhance sensitivity. Individual tuition is tailored to the needs of each rider, carefully adapted to each client’s ability and requirements, from novice to advanced. Depending upon riding ability, more advanced riders may get to experience dressage of the highest levels, including the piaffe, passage and flying changes.
Less experienced clients will benefit from observing these movements through the lectures/demonstrations and obtain a clearer understanding of the ‘mystique’ surrounding these high school movements, as they are explained whilst being demonstrated. Many riders, for the first time, will feel true collection. Lessons are given by Sarah-Jane Clarke (numbers are limited to ensure each guest receives ample attention and assistance) and courses are led by Johanna Beattie Batista the hacienda owner.
Lectures and demonstrations take the form of observing lessons, training sessions, work in hand and the schooling of young horses including round pen work (lunging). These lectures/demonstrations have proved invaluable to clients as they not only provide the opportunity to observe expert equestrian skills, but all are encouraged to take part by asking any questions which will be of assistance, and, most importantly, will receive clear and understandable explanation. All guests are welcome to make use of the various additional resources at the Hacienda such as DVDs and videos, which can start interesting discussions whilst relaxing in the evening in front of the fire. On Thursdays we encourage guests to visit the Royal Spanish School of Equestrian Art in Jerez where the weekly shows are a breathtaking spectacle. These visits are an excellent culmination to all that has been learned at the Hacienda, and provide the chance to view classical dressage at it’s absolute best, with a renewed clarity, understanding and inspiration.

Riding and Clinic Options

Riding with Harmony
With this course you will experience exactly how subtle you can be with your aids and how this develops harmony between horse and rider. With the emphasis being on the control of your seat and posture, you will be given the chance to experience a feeling of lightness and ease as you ride.

Mix ‘n Match
Many people want to experience the versatility of the Andalusian horse. You may have little knowledge of the breed or you may not have tried some of the activities on offer. Either way, you will have an exciting and interesting week riding one of the world’s most fantastic breeds. You take your pick of various activities and mix and match as you please. You may wish to have 2 vaquero lessons and 2 hacks for example. So the whole week is designed by yourself. On the evening you arrive, we have dinner together to allow you to relax and feel the welcoming atmosphere of the Hacienda.
The rest of your week can include one session a day of any of the following activities,

Doma Vaquera
Is a style of riding used to manage the famous bulls of this area. Without the presence of the bulls, you will learn to ride these incredibly sensitive, intelligent and obedient horses – all with the reins in your left hand and in the comfortable, sheepskin covered saddle used for this style of riding.

Hacking Out
Hacks out take place at a neighboring yard at ‘Entre Pinares’ approx. 3 Km. from Hacienda Dos Olivos. The beautiful surrounding countryside of Aznalcázar provides a variety of scenery to enjoy, giving you the ideal opportunity to relax or have a thrilling canter through a Mediterranean pine forest. The horses are fit Spanish cross breds. All ages and levels can be catered for. Lessons can also be arranged for children. It is a requirement that you wear a riding hat.

Optional Activities Outside of the Hacienda

There is a whole array of activities and fun things to do that you can enjoy outside of the Hacienda, but still within easy reach. You may prefer the independence of a hire car to explore at will.
Below is a list, in alphabetical order, that has both horsey and non-horsey activities. We are more than happy to make arrangements for you to partake in any of the following;

Birds and Bird Watching
With Doñana National Park just a few kilometres away, you can see an amazing array of rare and interesting species of birds flying in and around the hacienda.

Ballooning
To give you a thrilling yet serenely peaceful view of the local countryside via the air, Green Aerostation, offers balloon trips (weather conditions permitting).

Spanish Beaches of the Costa de la Luz
It takes about half an hour for you to reach the beach in Matalascañas, which goes all the way up the coast towards Huelva and Portugal. Boats and Jet Skis and many fine Seafood Restaurants are waiting for you to sample. Or simply enjoy a quiet walk at sunset.

Yeguada La Cartuja
Yeguada La Cartuja is the oldest stud in Spain and Saturdays see them open their doors to you.

A Campo Abierto
Available to see from March to October. Campo Abierto is a display provided by the famous Alvaro Domecq, the founder of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. The show gives the flavour of country life with the bulls of Andalusia.

Doñana National Park
Donana National Park is of incredible importance to the wildlife, not just of the immediate area but to many migrants that pass through it on their journeys each year. The amount of flora and fauna you can see is incredible.

Falconry
Curro, is an experienced, local Falconer and has various working birds which he will show to you and if you wish, let you hold on the glove.

Flamenco Dancing Lessons
Flamenco is at the very heart of Andalusian life. The blend of music and dancing intertwining in an outward display of passion is captivating at the very least. There are many places you can try your hand (or feet) at Flamenco dancing, whether it’s in a bar or at a more organised class – where the teachers will help you to feel the music and essence of Flamenco.

Golf
There is a golf course situated on the outskirts of Aznalcazar called Las Minas, on the Carretera Isla Mayor. It is at present a 9-hole course (with plans to take it to 27 in total), with long and difficult 5-pars, wide greens and 4 lakes to add to the technical enjoyment.

Historical Excursions
There are a multitude of tours available for the enthusiastic tourist. Special historical excursions will guide you through the history of Andalusia, showing you relevant architecture and describing events to bring to life to you. Tours of differing durations means you can choose an excursion to suit your time, budget and interest.

Royal School of Equestrian Art
The Real Escuela del Andaluza del Art Ecuestre is in Jerez de la Frontera and provides a captivating experience for horse enthusiasts and non alike. The architecture, the music and not forgetting the incredibly beautiful Andalusian horses will imprint itself on your mind as a display of the passion the Spanish have for their horses.
Choose from either a ‘espectaculo’ (show) where the music and demonstration will enthral you or watch a training session to see what daily training for these magnificent horses entails.
These visits are an excellent culmination to all that you have learnt for those partaking in a course at the Hacienda, and provide the chance to view classical dressage at its absolute best, with a renewed clarity, understanding and inspiration.

Sky Dive Spain
Ten minutes from the Hacienda is a small aerodrome which offers skydiving through out the year. The company is run by an English family.

Spanish Towns and Cities
From the Queen and heart of Andalusia, Sevilla, to the white washed walls of remote Spanish villages. This area has much to offer you when visiting it’s towns and cities. Breathtaking architecture, many historical monuments stretching back into the history of the area, museums, tapas bars, peaceful parks and lively fiestas. This area is a must for those who enjoy experiencing different cultures and history

Tapas Tours
When you embark on a tapas tour, you can look forward to combining the wonderful and varied tastes of Andalusia with seeing some of the most charming and entertaining locations.
Whatever your taste in food, Andalucia has something to offer every palette. Whether you wish to travel around sampling dishes from the region or just take in the local tapas bar, a selection of delicious dishes is to be found whatever time you wish to spend.

Tennis
There are 3 public tennis courts in Pilas for you to use. The courts are open from 10.00 – 20.00. You do not need an appointment and they are free of charge. Please ask for directions.

Walking
For those interested in spending time outside, walking is regarded as one of the healthiest options. With areas such as the nearby Umbrella pine forests, the Corredor Verde (ecological project of the area) and many small back roads and paths, there are walks for all ages and levels of fitness. For those intrepid explorers amongst you, there are maps available for you to borrow, or you could alternatively hire the services of a local guide. The guides are experts in the plants and animals of the area, as well as the areas history, people and places.

Weather Overview for Seville

Seville located in the South West of Spain, is known for its hot summers and mild winters, making it a fairly typical Mediterranean climate. Seville is one of the warmest cities in Europe.

Interestingly, the all time hottest European temperature ever recorded occurred back in 1881 in Seville, when on August 4th the summer temperature hit a blistering 50 degrees celcius! (122F.) Pre- airconditioning times- this would have been a hard day to endure!

Seville’s weather is fairly consistent year to year which makes it an easy city to plan a getaway to as you can choose whether to enjoy the high temperatures of July and August (if you like it hot), or enjoy the more moderate temperatures of Autumn and Spring. 

SUMMER

July and August see Seville’s hottest weather, with an average maximum temperature of 36°C and minimum temperatures of low 20’s. This heat makes the city experience a fairly nocturnal atmosphere, with the street bars and cafes beginning to fill up once the stifling midday heat begins to cool slightly. In the evening, temperatures hover around the mid to low 20’s which make night time in Seville very agreeable and contribute to it being a social, nocturnal Spanish city.

Some find the weather uncomfortable and the heat hard to endure, but those who don’t, will flock to the city in August, which is in fact Seville’s busiest time and the city rarely experiences any rain during this period with daily temperatures often reaching 38°C-40°C.

WINTER

Winters in Seville are mild, with an average maximum of 16 degrees and average minimum of 5.2 degrees. The temperature almost never reaches the freezing mark and many houses don’t have heating.

These relatively warmer winters make Seville a popular Spanish winter getaway, for both the Spanish and the rest of Europe. The temperature begins to cool down in November and remains cooler through until about March. January sees Seville at its coolest, with average temperatures of 6°C/15°C. Moving into February the average temperature is a relatively mild 18 degrees.

Throughout winter Seville experiences approximately 7 - 8 days of rain per month, and rainfall is generally at its heaviest in November and December, with the rainy season running from October through until December.

AUTUMN/SPRING

If you are not fond of the heat, and are neither a fan of cold, snowy winters, then it is best to visit Seville during Autumn or Spring. (Despite one freak day of snow half a century ago!) Post summer months see the temperatures cooling, however September is still hot with an average temperature of 32°C.

The weather begins to rapidly cool down come November, and starts to warm up again by March. During this time there is fairly moderate rainfall. On average, however, Seville experiences 230 days that are over 20°C.

Spring sees Seville host its annual Spring festivals which makes it an enjoyable and entertaining time to visit (albeit more expensive.)

Welcome...
The entrance of the farm invites you up the driveway to the main house and gives you time to take in your first captivating views of the Hacienda (Spanish country home) and the olive groves. Named “Dos Olivos” ("Two olive trees") it celebrates the only two olive trees removed when it was built on the 35-acre organic olive grove. Blending Spanish and Moorish styles, the whole Hacienda surrounds a peaceful cobbled courtyard. The hacienda provides a romantic, tranquil and picturesque setting for riders and their non riding partners where one can truly forget the normal pace of life and immerse oneself in the more leisurely style of the Andalusian pace.
You may wish to lounge by the pool and absorb the peaceful setting; sample the delights of our local wines and cuisine; recover from bustling night life in Seville; discover the flamenco and fiestas in the area. Explore the historical and cultural sites around us, or immerse yourself in the natural beauty of nearby National Doñana Park. Dos Olivos will prove a refreshing break and a memorable insight into some unique moments of Spanish rural life!

Accommodation:
For guests in “La Casita II”, they enjoy a light and airy cottage adjacent to the main house with tranquil views over the olive grove and riding arena. It has 2 bedrooms, a separate bathroom, a comfortable lounge/diner with television and a well-equipped kitchen. Guests have the opportunity to be totally independent and yet enjoy the atmosphere of the hacienda. 
Other guests may stay in the Hacienda itself, in one of the two private rooms in the main house.  The house is built in typical Moorish style, surrounding a central cobbled courtyard.

Meals:
Traditional Spanish Food is traditionally prepared for you by our Spanish cook with local produce and regional flavors, accompanied with good Spanish table wine and Spanish beer. The Manzanilla olives from our organic olive orchard are harvested in September and served at the table to you, all year round.
Breakfast is served to you Spanish style and combines fruit juice, freshly baked bread, Spanish biscuits and cakes. Your lunch can be taken by the swimming pool in the garden and may include cold meats, salamis, breads, cheeses, salads, and a traditionally cooked dish. Dinner is enjoyed either at the Hacienda or a local restaurant. We cater for vegetarians and/or any other diets you may have by prior request.

Andalusian Cuisine
Andalusian Cuisine is typical of Andalusia and has been influenced and developed over thousands of years by what the region has been able to produce itself. You will find the cuisine of the area is very varied because of its rich and diverse geography. Andalusia is known for producing and making food that is delicious and healthy, and can be categorised as cold dishes, soups, meats, fish and seafood, poultry, nuts and wines and liquor with each region giving dishes their own interpretation to make it unique to that area. As well as their different types of olives, which are usually served as tapas or in some dishes. Throughout the regions olive oil is widely used in the preparation of many dishes or salad dressings, as too are honey and nuts. It is worth mentioning that the modern phenomenon you know as fast food has taken it time to reach Andalusia. Although it is present, traditionally the act of preparing and cooking food is usually still done at home in its entirety.
Desserts and Pastries
The traditional sweets of Andalucia are influenced strongly by the Moors. The use of honey and almonds is most common and Christmas sees a culmination of this influence with the vast array of sweet biscuits available. Typically they are small, but packed with delicious mouth-watering flavour. The multitude of tastes available is mind-boggling – the use of chocolate, sugar, honey, almonds, egg yolks, cinnamon, lemon, anise and other ingredients are expertly blended to produce these exquisite mouthfuls.
Away from Christmas but staying with religion, you will find the nuns of various orders bake biscuits to sell to the public. The buying of the biscuits is a carefully controlled affair – although the nuns do not necessarily subscribe to a vow of silence, you are not allowed to touch them. Therefore money and biscuits are usually exchanged through a hole in the wall.
Once you begin to understand the richness and diversity of the Andalusian food, it is very easy for you to see why this area is known for its passionate people. The influence of 8 centuries of Arab inhabitance has made its way across the region through each town, village and city and although evidence can not always be seen, you can certainly taste it.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Spanish, Andalusian, Lusitano
Pace:		According to the riding level - 1 or 2 sessions per day as per chosen program. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    Novice +
Age:		Min 16
Weight:		Max 180 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 4 riders

The Horses...
The horses are PRE stallions from novice to Grand Prix level with exceptional bloodlines and training. Their elevated movements and compact frame enable the rider to refine the use of their seat and to feel more accurately the movement and response to the horse. Due to their natural abilities, collected, lateral and elevated movements are easy for them to execute giving the rider the feeling of lightness, balance, cadence and rhythm.

The characteristics of the Spanish breeds today remain much the same as in the 17th century, when the great masters of equitation praised their unrivaled qualities for high schooling work. During successive centuries the techniques became elaborated and refined into a gentleman’s art through the use of Iberian horses. Their gentle yet flamboyant nature, their strength and agility, their acquiescing intelligence and cheerful, noble bearing combined to form the medium of the art. “Such,” as Xenophon wrote centuries before, “are the horses on which gods and heroes rode”.

The horses are each at various levels of training, from youngsters currently being backed, to senior schoolmasters. The horses are worked daily. This varies from preliminary exercises for lateral movements, to work in hand, round penning and improving the proficiency in movements such as the canter, flying changes and piaffe. To truly benefit from the experience and schooling of our horses the rider should have a good basic level of riding, horse awareness and above all - an open mind.

The 6-day intensive program is ideal for those who wish to concentrate on improving their classical dressage skills through intensive instructions. It includes two semi private lessons daily on 5 days.


Thursdays:
No riding on Thursday morning to give the horses a rest - except if you are enrolled in the intensive program (you get one lesson as opposed to two that day).

Riders Level:
All riders should have a good basic seat as both lessons and hacks are not suitable for beginners!

Weight Limit:
To give you full benefit of our horses and training the rider’s weight limit is 180 lbs.

Tuition:
Additional lessons per hour: 60 €
Additional Hacks per hour: 30 €

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