SEGOVIA AT A CANTER
OVERVIEW
An easy short-break for experienced riders in stunning Segovia in the heart of Spain. The walled city has a roman aqueduct, a medieval heart and renaissance castles. Even Disney was inspired and the Alcazar was a model for the famous Disney castle.
The riding is fast paced and sporty. You’ll canter and gallop in open fields - a joy for experienced and fit riders. The horses are well trained and forward. We love the combination of incredible views, history and fast riding.
Let’s Ride
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Stunning fortified city
Four nights in a 4* hotel
Fast riding, cantering often
Well trained, sporty horses
Optional jumping
Dreamy three course picnic lunches
Restaurant dinners with wine included
Tour of the city and palace garden
Fairytale feeling
OVERVIEW
RIDE GUIDE
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights / 3 Days Riding
Cost: €1,500 per person sharing + a single supplement of €150 for your own room for all four nights.
Operator: Equiberia
Languages: You must speak fluent english to join our rides
Max Riders: 8
Min Riders: 6
Departing: Madrid Airport
Riding Level: Advanced. Many years riding with a natural seat. Comfortable riding at speed over uneven ground in open spaces. Please don’t apply if you have trouble controlling your horse in open countryside.
Weight Limit: Maximum of 90kg / 198 pounds in your riding clothes and boots.
Time in the saddle: 4 - 7 hours a day
HORSES
The horses are mostly Anglo-Hispanos (Andalusian & Thoroughbred cross), ranging in height from 15-16hh, and selected for their good nature and endurance. They are very well trained for the rides and for schoolwork, dressage and jumping. They are very fit, very willing and they are fun to ride.
You’ll ride in english saddle and bridles. Small saddle bags are provided.
You will canter often, sometimes in a line and sometimes freely. At both times you must know how to control your horse at all times and stay a safe distance from the horse in front of you. If you hold the saddle when you canter, this is not the ride for you! You must be able to hold the two point position when cantering and maintain soft contact with light hands.
This is a great ride for lifelong riders with a natural seat and easy balance, foxhunters, experienced safari goers and confident riders.
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation chosen for this ride is excellent. You will spend all four nights at the Hotel Monasterio de San Antonio El Real, a charming, historical 4* hotel.
You will share a room with another rider of the same gender or you can have your own room with a single supplement of €150 for all four nights subject to availability.
The hotel was built in the cloisters of an ancient monastery from the 15th century, in the heart of the city of Segovia, a 5 min walk from the Roman Aqueduct.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
All meals, shared accommodation, horses, guides, road transfers from Madrid at the set times, wine with meals and very good hotel breakfasts.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
The price does not include international or domestic flights, mandatory travel insurance, or staff tips (which are optional but appreciated).
Subject to availability you may have your own room at the hotel for a cost of €150.
TRANSFERS
Riders will be met at the Madrid Adolfo Suárez International Airport – Terminal 4 – arrivals at 3pm the day of arrival.
If you stay in Madrid the night before you will need to make your way to the airport. On the final day you will be dropped at Teminal 1, usually around 12pm, so that you can take the metro into town or catch an Uber.
RIDING
The riding is fast and free - that’s what we love about it! You must be confident in an english saddle, riding a forward horse in two point position with light hands staying off of the horses back. If you often lose your stirrups while cantering, or hold the saddle when cantering, you aren’t ready for this ride just yet. We recommend the Gredos break which is more mountainous so slower but still have some shorter cantering spots.
Not suitable for beginner or intermediate riders or those that exclusively ride in arenas / schools.
MEAL
You’ll enjoy a very good hotel buffet breakfast in your historical hotel that has an award-winning kitchen.
Lunch are three course picnics enjoyed under a gazebo in beauty spots. Wine, beer, sherry and soft drinks are included.
You’ll enjoy three course evening meals in your hotel or a local upscale traditional restaurants.
Vegetarians and gluten free diets happily catered for.
WHAT TO PACK
Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.
Riding hats are not provided, please bring your own.
Riding boots / Chaps, Sun hat, Riding helmet, Trainers / walking shoes, Shoes you don’t mind getting wet, Swimming costumes, Warm jumper / Jacket (evenings and early mornings will be cold), Light waterproof, Water bottle, Rucksack, Casual wear, Smart casual for evenings at the house though dresses are very welcome too. The beautiful house warrants at least one night in a long dress or dinner jacket, Personal medication, Sunglasses, Mosquito repellent, Sun hat and glasses, Head torch, Portable phone Charger
INTERNET
There is good cell reception on all parts of the ride. Download an e-sim from Airalo and install before you arrive to be connected at all times.
Use our code BLACKS3976 to receive $3 off your e-sim credit.
DEPARTURE DATES
Each ride is €1,500 per person for four nights and three days riding.
The season is open from April to October.
Join an exclusive Black Saddle departure or as a private group with a minimum of six guests.
Guests on this ride are usually aged between 50-70. Join an exclusive Black Saddle departure to ride with late 20s to early 40s.
DATES
22 - 26 JUNE 2024
28 AUG - 01 SEPT 2024
23 - 27 OCTOBER 2024
BLACK SADDLE EXCLUSIVE DATES
TBC
Fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile with your preferred dates and we will get back to you with availability.
SEGOVIA
Segovia is in the Inner Plateau of central Spain, near the northern slopes of the Sistema Central range and on a bend of the Eresma river.
The city is famous for its historic buildings including three main landmarks: its midtown Roman aqueduct, its cathedral (one of the last ones to be built in Europe following a Gothic style), and the medieval castle, which served as one of the templates for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle. The city center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
The end of the Middle Ages saw something of a golden age for Segovia, with a growing Jewish population and the creation of a foundation for a powerful cloth industry. Several splendid works of Gothic architecture were also completed during this period. Notably, Isabella I was proclaimed queen of Castile in the church of San Miguel de Segovia on December 13, 1474.
All of these layers of history give the city a fairytale feeling.
ITINERARY
This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Your hosts may change the itinerary to take advantage of weather conditions.
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL - MADRID TO SEGOVIA
Transfer from Madrid to Segovia - about 1.5 hour drive - arriving around 4:30pm. Accommodation is at the Hotel Monasterio de San Antonio El Real, a luxurious 4* hotel, built in the cloisters of an ancient monastery from the 15th century, in the heart of the city of Segovia, a 5 min walk from the 2000 year old Roman aqueduct that cuts through the centre of the city.
Around 6pm your guide, Ana, will meet you at the hotel and whisk you off to see the stables and the horses. You’ll then enjoy a panoramic tour of the city of Segovia by car and a welcome drink in the main square right outside the cathedral.
Your welcome dinner is at 8:30pm in the restaurant of your hotel.
No Riding Today
Overnight at Hotel Monasterio de San Antonio El Real
DAY 2 - CAÑADAS OF SEGOVIA – FOREST OF VALSAIN
At a very civil 10am you will depart from your hotel to the stable. Your first ride takes you towards the mountains, through farmland away from Segovia towards the forest of Valsaín. You will follow transhumance trails, such as Cordel de Santillana and the Cañada Real Soriana, pausing for an aperitivo along the way, before arriving to the source of water of the Roman aqueduct, following the reservoir waters and the Acebeda stream.
The saddles come off of the horses and you’ll enjoy a long three course lunch with time for a siesta in the sun.
After lunch you will enjoy some fast riding towards home, moving through an old artillery training ground that still shows hte scars of battle practice though now it’s returned to farmland. You’ll be transferred back to the stable for a shower before an off-horse excursion.
Around 7pm, Ana will collect your from your hotel to take the group to visit huge, renaissance royal Palace built to replicate Versailles in France, once the royal court of Spain.
After touring the Royal Gardens, you’ll enjoy dinner in the restaurant of a Parador hotel, a state-owned Spanish hotel group built in historical locations, and transfer back to the hotel.
5-7 Hour Riding
Overnight at Hotel Monasterio de San Antonio El Real
DAY 3 - VIEWS OF LA GRANJA ROYAL GARDENS – RIDING ALONGSIDE PONTON LAKE
Departure from the stable towards La Granja de San Ildefonso through Palazuelos de Eresma, crossing the Eresma River in front the giant walled dam of El Ponton. Riding alongside the waters of the lake, you will arrive to the La Granja Polo Field, arriving at a canter along a tree-lined driveway to the aperitif table.
After a drink and delisiouc spanish tapas you will ascend the mountain through Sylvester pine forests around La Granja. You’ll discover the two meter high stone wall of the palace before breeching the tree line and enjoying magnificent views of the gardens and the Royal Palace. In spring, there are beautiful waterfalls flowing down the granite gorges of the Sierra de Guadarrama.
There are many opportunities for canters in the forest and you can pop over a few fallen logs if you’re feeling sporty. All the horses are great jumpers.
There is some steep riding down the mountain before you enjoy lunch at Tejera del Cambrones farm next to a babbling brook. The afternoon ride back to the stables is along the western side of the Ponton lake, weaving through fields with many opportunities for canters until you each the stable.
Tonight, dinner is at your hotel.
5 - 7 Hours Riding
Overnight at Hotel Monasterio de San Antonio El Real
DAY 4 - SEGOVIA ON HORSEBACK
At 10am you’ll be transefered to the stable for your final ride. Following the Eresma river canyon and the bird sanctuary at the Revenga lake, riders will get to the village Hontoria for an aperitivo stop in a local pub. After some exhilarating canters through the Tejadilla river, around the Cerrogordo hills, riders will enjoy the spectacular views of the Cathedral of Segovia and the Alcazar (Arabic for Castle), once the home of Spanish Kings for many generations and inspiration for the famous Disney fairytale castle.
You will descend towards the meadows of San Marcos where the rivers Eresma and Clamores meet, and where the 13th century church of the Veracruz that belongs to the Knights Templar Order of Malta stands.
Lunch is a long and lazy affair with the most fantastic views of the Segovia skyline and old town
You’ll finish your ride back to the stable with a ride through the outskirts of town along the river Eresma and it’s green trails. There is time for one last glorious canter before saying goodbye to your horse and heading back to the hotel for a shower.
Dinner tonight is at a famous local restaurant with a royal warrant for creating Segovia’s typical dish. We’ll leave it a surprise for you!
4 - 5 Hours Riding
Overnight at Hotel Monasterio de San Antonio El Real
DAY 5 - DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to Madrid, arriving there about 12 noon. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid prior to noon, all riders will depart earlier - or we will arrange an alternative transfer (at an extra cost).
No Riding Today
PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Each rideis €1,500 per person for four nights and three days riding.
The season is open from April to October.
Join an exclusive Black Saddle departure or as a private group with a minimum of eight guests.
DATES
22 - 26 JUNE 2024
28 AUG - 01 SEPT 2024
23 - 27 OCTOBER 2024
BLACK SADDLE EXCLUSIVE DATES
TBC
Fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile with your preferred dates and we will get back to you with availability.
HOW TO BOOK
As the ride is less than €2,000 the full balance will be due to secure your saddle.
Cancellation Terms
More than 90 days in advance the full deposit is returned net of bank charges and a €100 cancellation fee per rider to cover our time spent organising your holiday.
90 - 61 days in advance the deposit or 20% of the full amount is forfeited.
60 – 0 days in advance 100% of the full amount is forfeited.
YOUR HOST
This ride will be guided by Ana Camiruaga, co-owner, and manager of Hipica Eresma. Ana is an excellent professional horsewoman and riding instructor, with a show-jumping and cross-country background. Ana will share the history of Segovia with you while always encouraging you to jump logs or looking back with a smile to check if you’re ready for a canter.
Ana trained as an architect and ran her own acclaimed studio abroad before returning home to Segovia to take over the trails from her father, Enrique, who started the family business and will likely accompany you on your rides.
OTHER RIDES IN SPAIN
GREDOS MOUNTAINS
7 Nights / 8 Days
Two hours from Segovia you enter the Gredos Mountains. A favourite spot of the kings of Spain, you stay in the original iconic Parador hotel with its wooden paneling and hunting scenes in paintings on the walls, it still has the feel of a royal hunting lodge which was its original purpose.
The riding here is slower but you still enjoy canters where possible. You’ll love the stable of stunning, well-cared for horses, the picnic lunches, riding with freely grazing animals in the wide common spaces and romantic picnics.
Scenic and beautiful and guided by the serene Selma.
DISCOVER THE MOUNTAINS OF GREDOS
A WEEK IN SEGOVIA
7 Nights / 8 Days
If three riding days is just not enough you can extend your stay with Ana in Segovia to a full week.
This is a progressive ride, moving from hotel to hotel as you over more distance exploring the area.
Experience Segovia at a canter with many opportunities option to jump stone walls and fallen trees.
DISCOVER SEGOVIA AT A CANTER
COMBINATION GREDOS + SEGOVIA
7 Nights / 8 Days
Get the best of both worlds with a tasting tour of both the mountains of Gredos and the history and fast riding in Segovia.
You’ll visit the mountains first, staying in the famous original Parador Hotel and riding with the wonderful Selma, before transferring to Segovia, watching for views of Avila and it’s 1000 year old city walls.
You’ll spend three nights in Segovia with a different itinerary to our short stay, so if you’ve already visited and want more, much of this will be new for you.
DISCOVER THE GREDOS + SEGOVIA ITINERARY
