A different kind of gift

Looking for an unusual gift for Christmas? Yulia Frolova highly recommends the most amazing present for any equestrian fanatic, namely, a trip to Spain on a five-day training course at the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre.

Readers may remember the name from a visit to Bahrain back in March 2012, where the stables performed their famous show ‘How the Andalusian Horses Dance’.
 
Yulia had a variety of top class instructors and rode a host of the most amazing horses during her stay; the majority of the horses were stallions.

So astride her first after being shown how to hold the double reins, her stirrups lengthened so she could barely touch them, and a short limbering-up walk, she was asked to do a half-pass (movement sideways and forwards at the same time) and to her great surprise this movement flowed.

Next came flying changes in serpentine (change of canter lead while making an S-shape in the arena), followed by the Spanish Walk, and more half passes in all gaits (walk/trot/canter). Next came piaffe (highly-collected trot almost in the same spot) and passage (a highly elevated/ powerful trot, collected and with great impulsion).

Each day Yulia rode three different horses and along with dressage movements, rode Doma Vaquera-style (a type of cowboy-style used by bull fighters). It’s hardly simple but not impossible, you can do most things reining with your left hand only. Later she was led to understand that Doma Vaquera is a sneaky way of teaching riders to use their legs much more and their hands much less.
 
Over the duration of the visit Yulia progressed from being a passenger on a world-class, know-it-all, cruise-control horse and improved her riding and skills. But everything that appeared good the previous day was not good enough the next day – the horse does the Spanish walk but is not stretching his legs fully; tempi changes … yes, but the horse is not entirely collected; your horse should be straight, he is five degrees to the left … etc. This was some tough teaching but absolutely the best! Try. Rethink. Repeat. 

This is not just a riding school, it’s a university featuring horses and the ancient art of riding, stables, a four-year equitation programme for apprentices, baroque architecture, exotic gardens, rare carriages and international awards are just some of the gems in this collection.

It’s a home to more than 130 horses and a workplace for around 100 people. Botanical gardens lead to a climate-controlled tack room and the school hosts one of the best equipped veterinary clinics in Spain. 

The main arena can accommodate some 1,600 spectators, and each show consists of between six and eight different choreographies. After the event there is the gift shop packed with souvenirs and the school even hosts its own tiny zoo with Przwalsky stallions. Olympic riders practice Grand Prix moves in arenas, there is an Equestrian Art Museum, Carriage Museum and the Costume Room is a sight to behold.

On the final day of the course it was time for the gallop pirouette - piaffe, two and three tempi changes all done and mastered and for the finale exercise ‘Airs above the ground’ where horses perform amazing movements such as ‘levade’ and ‘courbette’.

With a giant chestnut stallion at the end of a lead rope in one hand, a schooling whip in the other, and precise instruction, horses performed these amazing movements for her to provide a truly magical experience.

For information about the school visit its website www.realescuela.org and to read the full version of Yulia’s fantastic experience check out her blog Equigeo Dream, Ride, Explore, where she reveals all about her fantastic riding experiences - https://equigeoblog.wordpress.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Twin Palms Riding Centre
In-House Show Jumping on Friday starting at 9am.

Sheikh Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club
Sheikh Rashid Equestrian Centre at Al Rafah Sakir on Friday.
Entrance is free, racing starts at 2pm.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation
Venue:  BDF Equestrian Centre, Sakhir on Saturday.
Show Jumping Championship starting at 9am.