RIDERS' COMMENTS

Here is a small selection of comments we've received from guests who've stayed with us.

Michele Thornton BHSI(SM) from the UK
http://www.michelethornton.com

"... I feel compelled to write and thank you for the truly wonderful riding holiday I had at HorseridingSpain. As I am sure you can understand, taking a 'busman's' holiday whilst working for an equine charity put extra pressure on me to find a good riding holiday where the welfare of the horses was of paramount importance. Your centre excelled on both counts !

You both have a love and passion for horses in general, and Andalucians in particular, which is infectious. To see so many extremely fit, sound, strong and well shod horses was a breath of fresh air. I know how hard it is to get horses looking and feeling like this so you must take a huge amount of credit for presenting your guests with horses of this calibre.

The riding frequently took my breath away. I would just think I had seen the best view in Spain and we would turn a corner and see another equally as stunning. The Andalucian Horse Show had me in tears in 30 seconds ! Beautiful. Your hospitality and attention to detail was exemplary and you made us all feel very welcome and special. It was a privilege to ride such happy, contented and responsive horses. You really do deliver all your web site says, and more. Your riding holiday exceeded all my wildest dreams and I will be one of your many returners. Please keep up the good work."

Marcella Meijer - Rotterdam - The Netherlands (December 2011)

Hello Giles and Miranda, I want to thank you for the incredible 4 days I stayed with you. I just returned home in the Netherlands, but I would gladly return to your place tomorrow. I think that I do have a certain amount of experience with regards to riding in the fields, but these days have surpassed that all. Tio Pepe is an amazing horse and so gentle and brave! I’m so proud that we spent 3 days together. Thank you for your trust in me!The nature was beautiful and various, I had a so much fun when we crossed the orange grove. During the ride, I was lucky to have the chance to pick a nice fresh orange. Giles thank you for the adventure I experienced during the ride, I loved the river walk and the canters!After the ride we really enjoyed the lovely drink (I have forgotten the name of it).Thank you both again for your hospitality and the unforgettable days I spent with you. Keep up the good work and we see you next year for sure!

Michelle Meijer - Rotterdam - The Netherlands (December 2011)

Hi Miranda and Giles,this was my first week ever in Spain and it was a remarkable week. I was a little excited to spend a horseback riding vacation, because I have some previous experiences. But now I’m so glad to have spent this holiday with you and the horses. Chilches is an amazing horse, and so brave. Not afraid of any traffic not even when cars and motorbikes drove by. I have enjoyed him a lot. I noticed your passion for the horses and your hospitality was amazing. This was the first time I ever crossed a river with on horseback and that was a lot of fun! Furthermore the nature was beautiful, I have a lot of pictures by now hihihi! I can’t explain how amazing these 4 days have been to me, thank you so much and see you absolutely next year!

Laura Patrick & Jennie Micheal - London - UK (October 2011)

We spent a fabulous four days enjoying the beautiful countryside, wonderful horses and great hospitality! We couldn't have found a more perfect match with our horses, Lucy and Mexicana - both very good natured and fun rides for experienced riders. We think it speaks volumes about your excellent set up that each person in our group came on a recommendation. We will certainly be recommending you to others and we very much hope to be back again soon. With very best wishes, Laura and Jennie (London, England)

Hannie Pleijers - Meerssen (L) - The Netherlands (September 2011)

Een vakantie om nooit te vergeten. Ik heb genoten van jullie geweldige, lieve en pittige paarden. De goede verzorging en  kalmte die jullie aan de paarden gaven was duidelijk zichtbaar.Ik heb genoten van de diversen tochten, het schitterend uitzicht op het Andalusische gebied, ik heb genoten van de natuur....Het maakte grote indruk op mij hoe de paarden zo rustig bleven in omstandigheden, zoals voorbijrijdende scooters, auto’s, vrachtwagens, blaffende honden en enthousiaste muilezels.        Na een mooie tocht terug bij de Rancho stond de sangria al klaar, niet alleen de sangria , maar ook de gezellige, knusse tuin met zwembad en het appartement maakte het compleet. Miranda, dank je voor het heerlijke eten wat je iedere dag voor ons hebt gemaakt. Ook de paardenshow in Mijas was indrukwekkend een plaatje om nooit te vergeten. Thanks for everything en tot volgend jaar.

A unforgettable holiday. I have enjoyed your wonderful, sweet and spunky horses. The good care and calmness you give to the horses was obvious. I have enjoyed the diverse rides, the spectacular views on the Andalucian countryside, I enjoyed the nature....It greatly impressed me how the horses remained so calm in different circumstances such as scooter, cars and lorries driving by, barking dogs and enthusiastic mules. After a beautiful ride the sangría was waiting, not only the sangría, but also the nice garden with swimming pool and apartment completed the picture. Also the horse show in Mijas was impressive and unforgettable. Thanks for everything and see you next year.

Kate Banbury - Nofolk - UK (September 2011)

Karen Holland - Berkshire - UK (July 2011)

This was always going to be about the horses!

If you have ever held a childhood dream of riding without restrictions, of being at one with your horse and experiencing the wide open spaces, like the notion of a cowboy, then look no further this is the place for you.                                                                                                                                 I have always wanted a riding holiday but have shied away from the idea until a few months ago. I didn’t want to burst my bubble, my expectations were high. I was fearful of the “camel train”. I had seen pictures in other countries of horses plodding one behind the other with a vacant eye and all sense of courage and independence gone from their tired bodies. I did not want to add to their burden.               I read and read again all the comments from previous guests of Giles and Miranda. I looked at the beautiful Shakira and my mind was made up. I took the plunge and booked my holiday. Having now experienced a week at Coin I can say in all honesty that it was best horses, best riding, best food, best hosts and best holiday I have ever had. We rode through the forests, up the mountains and through the rivers on horses so honest and trustworthy so sure footed and lithe and more responsive than any horses I have ever ridden before. This was an experience I will never forget and I am eternally grateful to my hosts.                                                                                                               When the time came to leave I felt quite tearful, which is something that has never happened to me before on a holiday. I feel I left behind a piece of my heart in that small valley. I want to say a very big thank you to Giles and Miranda for producing such magnificent animals and making my dream come true.

Would I go back..................what do you think !

Vera Molenaar - Breda - Netherlands (May 2011)

“Ultimate enjoyment”,  that is what this horse riding holiday was! Riding the horses was exciting as well as relaxing. We trotted and galloped like real Spanish horsemen. When riding through the amazing landscape we were submerged into Spanish culture.

Miranda and Giles are such nice and sociable people. They are always ready to answer any question you have, especially about horses. They are experts in advising you how to spend quality time with their Spanish horses. On top of that, Miranda is an excellent cook! The Andalusian horse show was an unforgettable experience that will inspire you for the rest of your horse-loving life. This holiday has filled me with tremendous passion and endless admiration and love for Spanish horses. I really enjoyed it and I am very much looking forward to my next holiday !

Ushandra Engelbrecht/ Robert Mansfield - Cape Town - South Africa (May 2011)

What an amazing riding holiday !! A gentle walk through town, with comfortable trotting and cantering through the forests and hills of the Spanish countryside - all on light and responsive horses! Your horses truly reflect your love and passion for them.                 

After the rides, the late afternoon lunches were a time to relax and re-live the morning's ride with all the different international members of the group - thanks Miranda for the delicious cooking. We could have easily stayed another week ! Thanks for being such great hosts !

Malin Pihlstrøm & Gerhard Osvoll - Tromsø - Norway (December 2010)

Hei Giles og Miranda!

Vi er nå tilbake i Norge, og jeg er nå istand til å spise og prompe normalt igjen etter den korte matforgiftningen som avsluttet et fantastisk opphold hos dere. 

Vi sitter igjen med mangfoldige minner og inntrykk som vi fortsatt må fordøye, men vi er begge enige om det faktum at dere er fantastiske og inspirerende mennesker med en "dyresjel"... Hestene og hvor sensitive og godt grunnridde de er var for meg den størte opplevelsen. Jeg liker ikke å "kjempe" med hester, og deres hester har lært meg at alt man trenger å gjøre er å spørre høflig. Man vil aldri få et ordentlig og helhjerta svar av en hest som blir tvunget til å gjøre noe. Beklageligvis, så er det nettopp det jeg opplever størsteparten av tiden hjemme i Norge. Jeg føler nå at jeg har enda flere verktøy og opplevelser i bagasjen som kan hjelpe meg til å promotere en positiv og myk væremåte rundt hester. Det er så mye mer harmonisk, og både hest og rytter vil få en bedre opplevelse. 

Igjen, takk for et fantastisk opphold i det spesielle Andalusiske landskapet, jeg vil på det varmeste anbefale hesteridning i Spania hos dere i Coín, til alle mine hestevenner!     God jul!

Mange hilsener fra Malin og Gerhard i det kalde nord.

Martti Saramaa - Helsinki - Finland (November 2010)

Thank you very much for a most enjoyable week of riding in a very nice and varying environment. My horse ( Super ) was excellent, the weather perfect, the food very good and it was a pleasure to ride with Giles and the other guests

Charlotte and Bridget Copeland - Wokingham - UK  (October 2010)

Having arrived home in not so sunny Wokingham, I just wanted  to say, thankyou so much for a wonderful break. You made Bridget and I feel thoroughly welcome to your little corner of Spain.  Your horses are a credit to you, a fabulous combination of excitement on the gallops and being bomb proof in traffic - if only all English horses were the same.  Anyway we know where to come for our Spanish horses when we win the lottery.

Sam Baker - Norfolk - UK (Express Equine in Long Stratton) (October 2010) (on her third riding holiday with us !)

Thank you so so much for our riding break once again it was brilliant!!
I know all the girls loved it too and we were all really sad to be leaving you, hopefully we'll all be back again next year - if you'll have us??!!

Renée & Mireille Dekker - De Wilp - Nederland (Augustus 2010)

Julie & Josie Williams from Derbyshire - UK (July 2010)

"We have had a really special week with you, and will take back wonderful memories. The riding has been perfect and the scenery breathtaking. Our enthusiasm for horse riding has most definately been re-fuelled ! The home cooked food has been fabulous, and all the little touches which you have added have been much appreciated; the wine on arrival, the sangria at the end of the ride, having our breakfast delivered, stopping for a drink at the bar, being taken to a horse show - but most of all, your warmth, humour and hospitality. Please thank Fandango also for showing Josie the true meaning of love ! And on a more serious note, through all your hard work, you have created an exceptional place to be..."

Christine & James Mather from  Berkshire - UK (May 2010)

Ingrid Johansen, Ann-Helen Elstad & Maria Oksnes from Norway (May 2010)

A Spanish fairytale on horseback: How could we have imagined the little oasis in the middle of the village “Coin”. Miranda and Giles’ horse ranch is in a green and rich valley, with a spectacular view from our apartment: a fairytale white stallion stands in the paddock just outside our window.                  Every morning we are served breakfast in the apartment, before we meet for the days highlight: riding in a fantastic natural setting, up steep hills, through rivers, and the beautiful Andalucian countryside. We also experienced that Spanish riding can include bar service on the horseback !                              The horses deserve a chapter completely for themselves. They are beautiful, well trained and with Andalucian blood. It is obvious that they are treated well and with respect. Miranda and Giles are dedicated and professional horse people who also take especially good care of their visitors. The atmosphere of the farm is intimate and warm, what’s more Miranda is a great cook, serving us delicious lunches when we come back tired after a long ride.                                                            In the afternoon it is wonderful to relax by the pool with a book, a San Miguel, or just listen to the sound of the river passing behind us. This has been a fantastic riding holiday, and an experience for life for all three of us. A Spanish fairy tale on horseback and for all of you considering a good value for money riding holiday, we give our strong and heartfelt recommendation to Giles and Miranda’s horse ranch in Andalucia.  

and in Norwegian:                                                                                                                      Et spansk eventyr på hesteryggen: Ingen av oss kunne på forhånd sett for oss den lille oasen midt i den lille byen Coin. Nede i en grønn og frodig dal ligger Miranda og Giles` hestegård. Hvilken utsikt fra leiligheten; en hvit eventyrhingst står i en paddock like utenfor vinduet vårt.                                    Hver morgen får vi servert frokost på rommet før oppmøte til dagens høydepunkt: Ridetur i fantastisk natur, opp bratte åser, gjennom elever og den vakre andalusiske landsbygda. Vi erfarte at spansk riding også kan inkludere barbesøk med servering på hesteryggen.                                                   Hestene er et kapittel for seg selv. De er vakre og veltrente med andalusisk blod, sympatiske og pålitelige. Det er tydelig at hestene behandles godt og med respekt. Miranda og Giles er engasjerte og dyktige hestefolk som også tar godt vare på gjestene sine. Atmosfæren på gården er intim og varm og Miranda er en super kokk som serverer oss deilig hjemmelaget spansk lunsj når vi er slitne etter lange rideturer. På ettermiddagene er det herlig å slappe av ved bassenget med en bok og en San Miguel eller bare ligge og lytte til elvesuset.                                                                                           Dette har vært en fantastisk rideferie og en opplevelse for livet for oss alle tre og for dere som vurderer rideferie i utlandet vil vi anbefale rideferie i Spania hos Miranda og Giles på det varmeste.

Hannah Riordan & Jeanette Cromack, from Kent, UK (May 2010)

Just a quick email to say thank you very much for your hospitality and for giving us the best holiday we've had in a long time!! Everyone at home was very jealous hearing about our week! The horses were wonderful and the food was fantastic, we hope to see you again soon!!
Thank you again, say hello to Pepsi, Super and Cheeky from us!
 

 Chris Joinson & Jill Littlewood (March 2008)
(Major Joinson, 28 years British Army Service - Paratrooper)

I know that Jill as a seven times serial offender (along with her sisters Rose and Martha) of trips to your place will not mind if I write on behalf of both us to thank you for our most recent visit. In coming to your ranch Jill has clearly found for herself a very special friendship in you two which she values very highly and an annual event that has become almost a pilgrimage in her very busy calender; this year I was very privileged to have shared it with you all.

As you now know, I have been exceptionally fortunate to have spent almost all of my life travelling to wild and astonishingly beautiful places, often in the pursuit of extreme adventure alongside like minded people; consequently you will understand that to deliver a travel experience satisfying all of the elements required to fulfil and inspire me is no mean feat. A combination of your obvious shared passion and tireless dedication to the training and welfare of your horses, your clear connection to the very heart of Andalusian culture and the patient, honest and enduring partnership you share with each other and which you so generously extend with such ease to your guests, has more than met the challenge.

Of course it is all about the horses and then about the rides. Given that I have currently spent considerably more actual time in skydive free-fall than I have on the back of a horse, it is to the credit of your patient guidance, matching of horse and rider and the quality of Pepsi's training that have enabled me to experience the speed and magic of cantering along rivers and through mountain forests, confidently enjoying the whole experience. Also, watching Jill ride Supersticio with such stylish pose and real delight brings as much of a return for me as it most clearly does for her; I have never seen her more complete.

As a life long Falconer I would like to think that I perhaps have something of an affinity with animals that require a gentle soul to secure their confidence and a confident hand to assure application and that perhaps I am able to judge it in others. Watching the both of you with your horses (not to mention the rest of the menagerie!), your care and attention to their welfare and the patient application to their sound, hard earned fitness and assuredness, carefully allowing the horses themselves retain the great individual character and the exciting, responsive nature of their Andalusian lines was incredibly humbling. If I thought for a moment it was possible to extract you from the paradise of your ranch for even one day, I would love to have you come and fly my Falcons. Perhaps one day we will all travel to Mongolia and fly eagles from horse back on the great plains of the Siberian Steps!!?

Finally, as hosts . . . . . . you are shockingly hospitable, as friends . . . . . . .you are most dear.

David & Shelagh King, from Devon, UK  (April 2010)

"A quick note to thank you both for an absolutely wonderful time this week. Shelagh and I both enjoyed ourselves immensely - the horses were fantastic, your company as hosts superb and the rides truly magnificent! We are both very keen to return and although we said this would be next April, we both don't think we can wait that long. So, do you have availability in August this year....?"

Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (November 2009)                                          Captain Frances Dobbing; Sgt. Alys McCormack; Senior Cpl. Claire Moses ; Cpls. Jennifer Copland and Rebecca Dark

Rosemary Seagrave, British Dressage Judge (September 2009), from Hampshire, UK

I enjoyed my rides on Super and indeed the Andalucian countryside.  The care of your horses was very good and they were willing fit and strong........
It would be good to visit again in the future, but meanwhile we wish you the best of success with your business and every happiness.

Barbara Wood (September 2009), from Southampton, UK

Thank you for the lovely holiday we had with you – you were such perfect hosts and your horses so fit and willing. I really enjoyed riding Sirocco and the dun mare whose name I have forgotten! I have so many happy memories of our stay at your Rancho. Thank you again for making our holiday with you both so enjoyable.

Steve Bailey, Mounted Police Officer- Merceyside Police Mounted Dept. UK (September 2009)

We have been showing everyone the photos and film of our stay and there are some very impressed people!!!  Anyway, wont keep you too long, Pam and I just wanted to thank you both, very much, for looking after us and making our riding holiday such a memorable experience.
The very best of luck to you both for the future and we would one day like to meet you again. If we can, we will be over next year.......

Margaret Postings and her friends Jenny Bridge, Sue Ross and Diane (April 2009)

"Our 9th fantastic annual riding holiday......and we are counting the days till next Easter!"

Sarah Pearson from UK  (March 2009)

Bryan, Jan and Beth Ferguson from Edinburgh, Scotland (February 2009)

Adriaan, Nicole & Patrick Smeulders (Augustus 2008)                                                      Adriaan Smeulders is Nederlands internationaal 3*/4* Eventer

De afgelopen 10 dagen op jullie ranch waren voor Nicole, Patrick en mij  een vakantie om niet snel te vergeten. Punt een om dat het erg lang geleden was dat  wij een vakantie in het buitenland hebben gehad, maar wat belangrijker was is dat de combinatie van rust, stilte, avontuur en de nabijheid van paarden  ERG geslaagd is.

Jen Young from Glasgow - Scotland (June 2008)

I wanted to write and thank you for a fantastic holiday I just had with you. It was my first horse riding holiday and it exceeded all my expectations. The horses were fantastic and very well behaved, especially Nikita!! The rides each day were very enjoyable and the views were absolutely stunning everywhere I looked. The accomodation was great and the food delicious. You really are great hosts. All in all I had a very relaxing and enjoyable holiday and I hope to come back soon.

Jetty Hofman, Groningen - Nederland (November 2007)
Eind oktober, begin november 2007 verbleven wij een ruime week op de ranch. En wat een geweldige week was het!

Elke ochtend bracht onze gastvrouw, Miranda, een lekker ontbijtje in ons appartement. Wat een luxe! Een uur later meldden wij ons bij de prachtige en goed verzorgde paarden. Voor ons Nederlanders was het rijden in zo'n heuvelachtig landschap met harde ondergrond nieuw. Maar de gastheer Giles gaf ons goede aanwijzingen. Bovendien merkten we al gauw dat deze paarden niet anders gewend zijn en het vertrouwen was er dan ook snel. De paarden bleken betrouwbaar, onverschrokken en heel gehoorzaam te zijn. Elke dag nam Giles of Miranda ons ergens anders mee naar toe. Tijdens de pauze genoten we van de lekkere sandwiches en het uizicht. De diversiteit van de omgeving bleef ons verbazen. Na elke rit konden wij even uitblazen en daarna op het terras bij het zwembad genieten van een heerlijke warme homemade maaltijd van Miranda. We voelden ons op en top verwend.

Uiteraard hebben we ook Coin bekeken. Een gezellig plaatsje waar het toerisme nog niet overheerst, maar met voldoende terrasjes, winkeltjes en barretjes en 2 internetcafe's. (Een uurtje internet kostte nog geen euro!) De mensen uit Coin zijn aardig en behulpzaam. Wij hebben ook Malaga en Marbella bezocht. De bushalte is vlak bij de ranch en er rijden regelmatig bussen. Het was mooi weer dus zijn wij lekker het strand op gegaan.

Al met al hebben de paarden, de ritten, de locatie en zeker ook de gezelligheid en humor van de charmante gastheer en goedlachse gastvrouw deze vakantie onvergetelijk gemaakt. We zijn zeker van plan nog een keer (of vaker) terug te komen!

From Phil and Sue Kershaw from Yorkshire (January 2007)

“We had a really wonderful week of horse riding with you last Summer, so much so that for the first time, we have returned to the same place for a second holiday, and this January we have had another fantastic week of riding….we have really enjoyed your horses and the routes….thank you !”

Paul Reis (2005), Bloodstock Manager for Tattersalls in Newmarket UK, Europes leading Bloodstock auctioneers.