 |
 |
 |
 |
RIDERS'
COMMENTS
Here is a small selection of comments we've received from guests who've stayed with us at HorseridingSpain.
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."
Heather and Jane (October 2009)
I wanted to say a big thank you for our stay last week. We had a great time! The horses were fit, beautiful to ride and to look at and the scenery fabulous. We loved our apartments – how spoiling to have them and the pool to ourselves. I have rarely done so much relaxing! You looked after us so well. I was very pleased (and rather proud) that I didn’t feel stiff or sore – the panic about seat savers seems so superfluous now!
Rosemary Seagrave, British Dressage Judge (September 2009)
Although Neville never rode, he was pleased
to meet such a lovely couple, see the beautiful horses and added bonus, to
watch a farrier in ~Spain. I enjoyed my rides on Super and indeed the
Andulucian countryside. The care of your horses was very good and they were
willing fit and strong for your terrain.
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. Kind regards Rose
and Neville
Barbara Wood (September 2009)
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.......
%20and%20Miranda.jpg)
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!"
Martha
Littlewood (April 2009)
Missing you, the horses, the dogs, and the blue skies. Thanks so very much for giving up your maintenance week for my 9th holiday with you. When I first came out in 2002, not having ridden for a while, did you ever imagine that I'd get the bug so bad?
Sarah Pearson from UK (March 2009)
Bryan, Jan and Beth Ferguson from Edinburgh, Scotland (February 2009)
Thank you once again for a fabulous holiday experience, everything worked perfectly for us, the horses were fantastic and a credit to both of you.......Good luck for the rest of the year ! The Fergies.
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.
Jen Young from Glasgow - Scotland (June 2008)
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.
Chris Joinson & Jill Littlewood (March 2008)
(Major Joinson, 28 years British Army Service - Paratrooper)
Jetty Hofman from the Netherlands (November 2007)
End of October, beginning November 2007 we stayed a week at
your ranch. It was a fabulous week !
Every morning our hostess, Miranda, brought a nice breakfast to our apartment. What a luxury ! An hour later we reported to the beautiful and very well kept horses. For us Dutch people, it was very different to ride through such hilly countryside over hard going terrain. But our host Giles gave us some very useful tips. Besides we soon realised that our horses knew nothing else and our trust in them became soon overwhelming. The horses proved to be dependable, brave and very obedient. Every day Giles or Miranda took us somewhere else. During the breaks we enjoyed the lovely sandwiches and a spectacular view. The diversity of the countryside never ceased to amaze us. After each ride we could go and relax and enjoy the poolside terrace whilst devouring a great home made meal cooked by Miranda. We felt truly spoilt.
Naturally we also explored Coín. It's a lovely town where tourism is not yet prominent, but with lots of streetside café's, shops and bars and 2 internet café's (an hour internet doesn't even cost one Euro !). People from Coín are friendly and helpful. We also visited Malaga and Marbella. The bus stop is very near the ranch and there is a regular bus service. The weather was gorgeous so we even got to go to the beach.
The horses, the rides, the location and certainly the great atmosphere and humor of the charming host and his wife made this holiday unforgettable. We are certainly planning to come back another time (or more times) !
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 !”
"Great horses,
food, drink, accommodation and company, if you want a fun chilled week
in good company go and stay with Giles and Miranda – everything
else a bonus! Will be back for more! "
Sue Weatherall (July 2007)
"I just wanted to write and say thank you to you both (and Supersticioso of course !) for such a fantastic holiday - was it really only the week before last ?! I can honestly say it was even better than I had hoped for when I was looking at your website and dreaming !
You are great hosts, and your love of horses showed in every one of those beautiful animals on the ranch. I feel privileged to have been allowed to ride that lovely boy Supersticioso, and I spend far too much time at work daydreaming and looking at my photos !!...."
Jeremy and Jenny Matthews from Fuerteventura (June 2007)
"Just a note to express our heartfelt thanks for our wonderful holiday the other week. I know you get a lot of praise for what you provide, and I can only add that that praise is more than justified and well earned. As the rider, I must add my admiration for all your horses. What a pleasure to ride such well behaved, forward going horses. I know very well what work has gone into them to produce that quality of animal. I just hope I did them justice ! That week was an ambition that I had had for a long time. You made an old man very happy ! Jenny & I hope we will be able to return soon health and pension willing.
Once again very many thanks for everything - horses, food, accommodation and company. We hope the rest of the season treats you well."
Ann MacEachen from Scotland (May 2007)
"This is just a quick note to say a huge thank you again for giving me such a lovely break in Coin. Apart from missing my lovely husband and animals it was perfect."
Paul Reis (2005), Bloodstock Manager for Tattersalls in Newmarket UK,
Europes leading Bloodstock auctioneers.
Gaye Malcolm and Isla Calland from Scotland (May 2007)
"Thank you for the wonderful week that we spent with you last week. We both had a fantastic time. We have many memories, from being met at the airport by a strange man (your lovely taxi driver) saying "I am Miranda"!! to our dinner on the final evening, but most of all we will remember your hospitality and your amazing horses. You both work really hard and your horses are a credit to you. We enjoyed all our rides but most of all the ride on Wednesday with Miranda and the one on Thursday with Giles and Asleigh where we were cantering and galloping along the river. We would love to return (if you will have us) and perhaps bring some friends….. "
Penny Croft from UK (April 2007)
" I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get my act together enough to contact you, but better late than never.This is just to say how much I appreciated everything you did for me over the week I was with you. The whole feeling you have created at the "rancho" is exceptional. The personal attention that you give puts the holiday above most. I will most certainly be back next year - if you will accept my booking!!!Many thanks for making the week so special, I am just sorry that I couldn't have stayed longer. "
From Libby and Anna Dowle (April 2006)
I can't actually put into words how much I enjoyed my stay with you last week.
I've read through your website and I would only be repeating what other people have written in your comments site.
There is not much more that I can add but just to say that for me and I'm sure Anna feels the same, it could not have been a more perfect week.
We were so lucky with the weather and with the scenery, birds and spring flowers made it heaven on earth! I don't mean to sound so dramatic as you seemed a little uncomfortable with too much praise but believe me when I say that you both gave each of us a feeling that we are personal friends of yours and are individuals, not just paying clients who change every week.
You have got the balance just right, so please try and keep it that way until I can save up enough to come again!
I'll try not to keep on too much but once again, thank you all so much for a wonderful week, (I'm filling up again as I write this!)
The whole experience was an emotional as well as physical adventure for me, getting to know yourselves and your special horses.
Mari and Johanna from Finland
"...finally we want to thank you for a wonderful riding tour at your ranch...we had a great time and are looking forward to coming again !!!! "
Dianne MacDonald in Canada
Written to the editor of Horse and Rider Magazine in the UK
"...I don't usually write to an unknown entity at a magazine, but my husband and I had a riding vacation in Spain this September. This was to be a surprise for my birthday and he (not being a rider), with some trepidation, chose your magazine to explore potential riding vacations in Europe.
Over a number of months he gathered information on different riding holidays and eventually decided on a week at HorseridingSpain in Coín. We were both a bit nervous about the choice, me particularly as I didn´t want the usual 'Tourist' experience, but really wanted to ride as much as possible.
We were enormously fortunate in our choice - We had a wonderful week with Giles and Miranda who couldn´t have been more hospitable. When they found out it was my birthday, they had an extra special dinner set up for us. Even more important, their horses are clearly well loved and exceedingly well cared for ! It truly was the best riding experience of my life and we also felt we had made good friends..."
Tara McCarthy from Ireland
"...Just a few lines to say THANK YOU so very much for a really wonderful week. I enjoyed everything...you, the horses, the food, the wine, the apartment, the pool, the sunshine, the horse show...EVERYTHING !!!!
Thank you both for being so caring, genuine and making us all really feel at home. Thanks for all the tips with the washing, grooming and feeding the horses, I hope I will visit you again next year..."
Annet van 't Hull from The Netherlands
"...Thanks again
for the fantastic holiday you gave me last week...see you again soon!..."
Jill, Rosie and Martha Littlewood from the UK (april 2005)
"...Thank you again for another fantastic week at the Ranch, we can't wait to be back for our 5th holiday with you !!"
Nikky Scott and Andy Dunham from UK (may 2005)
"Thank you both for another fantastic week, we had a brilliant time .........we came to you in January and loved it so much, we re-booked and had another superb week with you in May...........and now hope to be back with you around Christmas time.......Thank you !"
Gill and Colin Poole from the UK
"Thank you again for a wonderful week, it was everything and more than we expected."
Nicky & Ruth from England with Ingrid from Scotland
"Thank you again for giving us a wonderful week - did you mean it when you said we could come back - we will clean the horses every day and even laugh at your jokes Giles ! Could you deal with us for a third year ! Please ?!"
Amanda de Visser from the Netherlands
"I want to thank you both for a great week ! It was really amazing to see how everything was organised...perfect rides, even better horses and of course your great hospitality contributed to such a nice week..."
Pablo
& Madeleine Koch aus der Schweiz
"...jedes Jahr wird besser als das letzte..."
The Griffiths Family from the UK
"...yet another wonderful family riding holiday at your Ranch..."
Karin van de Velde from Belgium:
"...Thank you for a very successful trip to Spain thanks to the wonderful accommodation, enthusiastic hospitality and great company. I did not know what to expect but I can assure you that it was a rich and very pleasant experience to pass a week in your and your horses' company..."
Gill Dunn from UK
"...Been in love with places before, but not with the people of the place as well and you are right, Lee and I have just had a holiday that we will remember with special affection. There's no place I can think of that I'd rather go back to for a holiday: just loved the idea of sleeping with Cambodio, once I knew it was him and not a mad Spaniard practicing his flamenco in the early hours of the morning. Loved all your dogs saying 'your family, share your picnic, throw a stone'. Loved your cat, whose too pushy for her own good! Loved your horses, especially Capri, of course, but regret not accepting the offer of Jacobina, perhaps next time!..."
Heather and Mike Clawson from the UK (November 2005):
"Thank you so
much for such a fantastic time last week. Mike & I thoroughly enjoyed
ourselves and I can honestly say that the 4 days we spent with you were
probably the best holidaywise time I've had for as long as I can remember.
You were great with Mike and Madonna was a perfect choice, he is completely
hooked (not that he'd admit it openly!). I'm having Pepsi withdrawal symptoms,
she was fabulous and such a character please put her on the next flight
so she can become a very pampered pet.
Without sounding too gushing, we really had the most wonderful time, and
you were both great hosts. You should be very proud of your set up - you've
got it spot on..! The horses are a credit to your knowledge and horsemanship.
Well Done!…."
Ian and Sara Stephenson from UK (September 2005):
"….I just wanted to let you know that we had an absolutely fantastic holiday with you. It was better than we could have hoped. Everything about it was perfect……"
Dr. Jane Greatorex (September 2005 - Regional rider Endurance GB):
"Great holiday !……See you next year…."
Bianca Rumpelova and Dana Nemcikova from Slovakia (October 2005):
"……Soon
our holiday with you will seem like a dream……
HorseridingSpain, Apto 31, Coin 29100, Malaga, Spain
Tel: (0034) 952 455010 - Mob: (0034) 606 373 229
email: info@horseridingspain.com