In the countryside outside of Seville, Spain lies a beautiful hacienda meticulously restored to its original grandeur and is host to the art of dressage. With its roots set in the 1600’s, this hacienda known as “Los Nietos” hosted the writer Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in 1590 as a tax collector for the Carmona region.
Purchased in 1985 in a state of disarray, the Garcia family spent countless hours researching the original documents for the hacienda taking painstaking care in restoration. Establishing the new name of “Epona” who is the Celtic goddess protector of the Horse, the Garcia family opened up their home for training in classical dressage.
About to Hit the Trail
Throughout the hacienda, the attention to detail in Andalusian style reminds one of times when Spaniards roamed the countryside saving damsels in distress. Found wandering in the courtyard are greyhounds that the Garcia family rescue from the countryside. Sadly, these greyhounds, known as Galgos are abandoned along the road when they are no longer of use in the hare-racing world.
Riding with Epona Equestrian Centre is a unique experience and provides an opportunity to ride glorious Andalusian horses. Offering a program that includes tourism, dressage training and trail riding, Epona offers something for everyone.
While the primary equestrian holiday consists of a “Train & Trail” package of an hour dressage lesson, and a three-hour trail ride each day, more intensive training is available for the dressage enthusiast.
Getting Ready for a Dressage Lesson
The Shoulder-In
After a hard day of riding and touring, guests may retire to the lounge area which is decorated with antique horse equipment.
The expansive grounds are a horse person’s play ground with two outdoor riding arenas and dormitories for working students. A circular rose garden scents the evening air when blooms are in season.
To stay in a beautiful Spaniard Hacienda, and living the farm life as a Spanish noble is a dream come true. Come for the horses, come for the rustic charm of an authentic Hacienda, and most of all, come for the warmth of Andalusia.
Categories: About, Equitrekking, Spain
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Oh i remember you talking excitedly about your experience here!
Hi Janet !! Hope to see you soon!
Wow! Cool Post!
Thank you so much Andrew!
I guess you didn’t only look at the horses, Bella. Lovely place, lovely photos. I actually like the dogs and flowers best (miss some sunshine a lot), but most of all the portrait of the white beauty.
Andalusia is just so beautiful Bente ! It’s time for you to get out of the clouds and into the southern Spain sun. Just be careful and don’t get sunburned! Thank you so much for your very kind and generous comment.
Look like a place with a lot of spirit… 😉
It truly is a fun filled and loved filled place Drake. You would truly enjoy it.
I am in love with the picture with the dog and the bicycle! These all have such great, vibrant colors. What a cool place to visit…
Thank you so much ! I also particularly like that photo as well. The colors in Andalusia really are wonderfully vibrant, as are the people that live there.
I really enjoy your blog, it is put together really well and it makes me want to go to all the places you visit…excellent!
You are too kind, and I hope that some of these places will inspire you to get out the in world. Although you really do live in a truly wonderful and magical place and I hope one day I make it to your area. Thanks for your kind comment.
Just BEAUTIFUL!!! And my mother would simply drool with that history of dressage (oh how many years have I been hearing about it…)!! To see it in person — so very fortunate!
Truly? I didn’t know your mother in in Dressage. Epona is really a fun place, and even being a non-rider you can go and enjoy the countryside. Just don’t go in the high heat of the summer months.
Oh yes… I was also trained a bit in dressage (settled in balance-seat, because I also jumped). I started trying to teach our two rescued girls the basics, but they’re up north with my mother, and I’m down here. I have enormous respect for the discipline.
Very beautiful pictures of this charming place! I can imagine riding horses there must have been a wonderful experience!
It was so wonderful Michael, and the horses well trained. I just love Southern Spain and say that everyone should go and visit at least once in a lifetime.
Great Photos – love the pops of color – thanks for sharing:)
Knew you would love this Renee ! Have a happy evening!
Wonderful pictures. Absolutely love the horses, dogs, flowers, art.., everything!
Thank you so much Petit ! I love your website and recipes. Such a dangerous place for me. Hehe