Equestrian Vacations

Spain
By Jillian Tillman

My story and a brief how to
It started the same way most vacations seem to, with the narrow escape of some unforeseen problem that threatened to ruin the entire trip. When Kim and I, only 16 and 18 at the time, arrived at SeaTac airport ready for our departure, the friendly Continental flight representative informed us that in order for Kim, a minor, to enter Spain without her legal guardian, we would need some special release form. Not only that, but it had to be signed by both of her parents, and notarized by an official notary public. Nobody before this point had ever bothered to mention this small but crucial detail, despite our efforts to be as thorough and informed as possible about these sorts of things. Lucky for us, her parents had, at the last moment, decided to drop her off at the airport themselves rather than leave it to her older brother, and, even though it was a Sunday, there was, by some miracle, a notary public available at the airport to sign the necessary paperwork. Despite this early hiccup, our three connecting flights took off and landed without a hitch, and, though sometimes narrowly, we never missed a connection. Finally, after over 16 long hours, we stepped foot on Spanish soil, and began our 8 day vacation in our newly-elected heaven, where we did nothing but eat, sleep, and breathe horses, infinitely blue beaches, and fabulous Mediterranean wine.

We booked our vacation through Cross Country International, an independent company that plans, organizes, and books equestrian geared vacations all across the world. Kim and I, both life-long riders and horse nuts, had drooled over the glossy pages of their yearly magazine for years, dreaming of the time when we might enjoy the featured landscapes for ourselves. Then, in early 2003, it hit me. Why not ask (well essentially beg) my parents for one of these trips as my graduation present? After some discussion and planning, they agreed, and Kim and I managed to convince her parents it was a great idea as well, even though she was still several years away from graduating. CCI covered the organization of almost all of the essentials, from lodging, to activities, to meals, and even transportation to and from the airport. The only thing left to us was the flights. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Though a delightful escape and unforgettable experience, CCI is not the only, nor necessarily the best choice, for everyone looking to take an equestrian vacation. Though they assured us over the phone that we would be paired with other experienced riders, two of the other four members of our group had been in the saddle but once or twice, setting a damper on the range of activities the rest of us "experienced riders" could engage in. We spent much of our time waiting for them to learn the basics, get their horses under control, and in most ways catch up with the rest of us, all of which was not what we envisioned our "equestrian vacation" being like. As the trip unfolded and we experienced first hand how things worked, we began to realize that, while booking through CCI was convenient, we could have organized a trip that fulfilled our needs even better had we done things ourselves. I encourage you to take a look at CCI's website, as they do offer wonderful vacations and inspirational ideas for the horse enthusiast abroad. If, however, you prefer to take charge of your own getaway, here are some tips for arranging your own equestrian vacation.

• Use websites like CCI and Equitours for ideas and inspiration about where to take your own vacation, and what activities to plan there. Different locations around the world are better for different horse interests; are you serious about dressage training? France, Germany, and Portugal are home to some of the top dressage teams and trainers, and have a rich history in classical equitation. If trail riding and eventing are your forte, England or Ireland may be the place for you, with wide-open lush green fields and a laid-back style. Have you always dreamed of cantering down a sandy beach? Many Latin American or Mediterranean locations may be your best bet. Overall, make sure the location you pick offers what is most important to you.


• Once you know where you would like to stay, investigate the names of the Equitation Schools and accommodations used by websites like CCI and Equitours. Often these places can be reserved independently, leaving you free to tailor things to your liking. For example, I stayed at Son Menut Ranch. They book rooms, schedule lessons, and will even coordinate meals and car rentals for independent travelers.


• Talk to local horse enthusiasts in your area; tack stores are great places to start if you aren't already connected in the community. Often word of mouth references make the best starting places for research and planning!


• Last but not least, visit your local library. There are many books with great suggestions on reputable places to go, what to see, and things you shouldn't forget to pack!