Rancho del Rio, Málaga, Spain
Visited: January 2014
"Safe as house or with a bit of go?" These were the straightforward options when I rang up Jane at Rancho Del Rio, an inviting and cheerful place offering bespoke riding holidays for small groups and individuals staying or living in and around Málaga. Jane is one of the most openly friendly people I've met and went out of her way to even come and pick me up from the local train station. The ranch is adjacent to the small traditional Spanish town of Cártama in the midst of the striking Guadalhorce Valley. Jane has competed for the GB equestrian team and has a small but beautiful herd of fearless and surefooted pure Andalucian and Andalucian-Arab horses along with a couple of hardy Spanish ponies for kids.
My horse for our three hour trek was a proud shimmering grey Andalucian mare called Carrie, on a traditional Spanish saddle which lends itself to the typical laid-back Spanish riding style. Without a doubt my horse Carrie had the promised 'bit of go' which she demonstrated with a flourish throughout the ride as we crossed the chest-deep glittering Rio Guadalhorce river, cantered along wide undulating paths, strolled around the local's back gardens and took in the scenery of the Andalucian countryside. Our ride also included a refreshing stop at a local bar for a glass of the sweet wine Málaga Dulce, a welcome break in the unseasonably warm 20°C weather of January!
My horse for our three hour trek was a proud shimmering grey Andalucian mare called Carrie, on a traditional Spanish saddle which lends itself to the typical laid-back Spanish riding style. Without a doubt my horse Carrie had the promised 'bit of go' which she demonstrated with a flourish throughout the ride as we crossed the chest-deep glittering Rio Guadalhorce river, cantered along wide undulating paths, strolled around the local's back gardens and took in the scenery of the Andalucian countryside. Our ride also included a refreshing stop at a local bar for a glass of the sweet wine Málaga Dulce, a welcome break in the unseasonably warm 20°C weather of January!
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