Spain’s Royal Equestrian School, by Patti Schofler

Spain’s Royal Equestrian School, by Patti Schofler

Elegance mixes beautifully with fire and spirit at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, the second in our series on the great European riding academies. This stately school in Spain’s province of Andalusia sits in the legendary sherry capital, Jerez de la Frontera, and is a complex formed from a 19th century palace and a sherry bodega.

The school is the home to famed dressage competitors Rafael Soto and Ignacio Ramblas, but has its foundation in the world of bullfighting from horseback. Famed rejoneador (bullfighter from horseback) Don Alvaro Domecq Romero was honored by Spain’s King Juan Carlos I (then prince of Spain) in 1973 with the “Caballo de Oro” (golden horse) trophy in recognition of his dedication to the horses of Spain.

As a thank you to the king, Alvaro Domecq created an equestrian extravaganza, Cómo Bailan los Caballos Andaluces, “How the Andalusian Horses Dance”. This equestrian ballet, based on classic and country dressage, enlivened by Spanish music and 18th century costumes, became the foundation for the creation of the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre. Today visitors enjoy the performances of the ballet within the school’s covered arena which seats 1600 spectators.

Cozied up to the arena are the five octagon shaped barns that house 60 horses and encircle the perfectly appointed tack room. The nearby visitors find the Horse Carriage Museum and workshop, once a 19th century sherry bodega, and the interactive and multimedia Equestrian Arts Museum showcasing equestrian art of Andalusia and the world.

Most spectacular is the “Louis XV-style Recreo de las Cadenas Palace, in part open to visitors, which was built in 1864 and designed by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Opera House and the Casino de Monte Carlo.

Imagine the surprise when walking through the Botanical Garden only to come upon a herd of Przewalski horses, a breed over 12,000 years old and the only wild horses in existence.

While the equestrian ballet honors Spanish horsemanship and Spanish horses, the culture and traditions are being preserved by the Royal School itself where future equestrian professionals study. Since this is a place of learning equestrian arts, visitors may be lucky enough to watch training sessions and classes for riders, carriage drivers, harness and saddle makers, clinical assistants and stable hands.

Visit their web site at www.realescuela.org for more information


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