RIDERS' COMMENTS

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

In the first quarter of 2010 50% of our guests have already re-booked to return to 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. 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 !

and her most recent comment after returning to us for the 7th time in January 2010:

Even though I have just completed my 7th riding holiday with yourselves (which is testimony to your horses and hospitality in itself!),  I just want to thank you both so much for making my various friends so very welcome. 

Over the past 6 years I have brought along five different friends and recommended at least another four to visit you. Each and every one has been wowed by your horses, the riding and your hospitality. As you know, several have already returned without me! I always feel totally confident that any one I recommend to visit you will have an amazing time and this has always been the case.

I don't know how you manage to keep your horses so happy, responsive, sound and well in what is a tough line of work for horses at the best of times. Testimony to your great depth of knowledge, love and understanding of horses I feel...........

As always, I am fitter and riding better as a result of my holiday with you last week. It is so nice to be reminded how light and surefooted  a horse can be...... 

Take care and keep up the good work !

Michele and friends.

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

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.

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.

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??!!

Pia Maria Eberle - Schweiz (August 2010)

Renée & Mireille Dekker - De Wilp - The Netherlands (August 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) from N-Yorkshire, UK
(Major Joinson, The Parachute Regiment)

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), from Cheshire, UK

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

Sarah Pearson from Suffolk, UK  (March 2009),

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

and in Finnish:                                             

Viikko "tätien ratsastusleirillä" ylitti kaikki odotukset! Kiipeiltyämme viikon vuoristossa, ja kahlailtuamme joissa upeiden espanjanhevosten selässä, auringon paisteessa tuntui siltä kun olisi ollut lomalla pidempäänkin. Paketin täydensivät mukavat, huolehtivaiset emäntämme ja isäntämme, herkulliset ateriat viineineen ja rentoutuminen pihan uima-altaalla. Ohjelmassa oli sopivasti luppoaikaa käydä tutustumassa seutuun myös omin päin.

Parasta antia olivat tietysti ihanat, reippaat ja persoonalliset hevoset - kotiinviemisiksi jäi haave omasta andalusialaisesta kaunokaisesta...! Porukkamme kouluratsastajat olivat varmajalkaisista ja rohkeista ratsuistaan varsin innoissaan. Upeita tapauksia, ja todella hyvässä hoidossa ! 

 

Helen Madden from Devon, UK (August 2008)

Just a quick note to say thank you for looking after me, making me feel so welcome and telling me such a lot about Spanish horses. I had a lovely week thoroughly enjoyed your company and I hope to be back next year with a very proficient canter and gallop !

Andy Linford from Oxfordshire, UK (July 2008)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my holiday one that I will never forget  !! Your horses are the best I have ever ridden, the views you promised  were wonderful and  breathtaking but most of all you made me feel not like a guest more like a friend staying with friends .I will be looking forward to see you next year !!.

Steve & Lynda Douglas from Staffordshire, UK (July 2008) 

First of all may we thank you for a wonderful time spent with you last week,The riding was fantastic,the accommodation was fantastic,and you two are brilliant. We felt so at home staying with you. And we would like to return in November for a week for Lynda's birthday

Adriaan, Nicole & Patrick Smeulders                                                                                Adriaan Smeulders is Dutch International 3*/4* Eventer from Someren, The Netherlands

The past 10 days on your ranch have been a holiday  Nicole, Patrick  and me will not easily forget. First of all because it was a long time ago, since we enjoyed a holiday abroad and - more importantly - the combination of relaxation, the quiet environment, adventure and the proximity of horses was VERY successful.                                                   As you know we are always busy with Eventing and Reining and we found the opportunity to explore the countryside from a horse's back the most ideal and fantastic way. Riding in the area where you are is an adventure in itsself and to be able to enjoy this in a relaxed fasion and in  great company is certainly worth repeating. I know making a profession of your love for horses means extremely hard work and I can recommend anybody to go and experience it for  themselves and book a holiday with you. My deepest compliments for the way you both keep and maintain your horses and more importantly that you love them and not give priority to the commercial side but always put your HORSES FIRST !                                                                   Thanks again and hope to see you again soon !!!!!

Katie Niemz & Kate Chapman from Manchester, UK (July 2008)

Thank you so much for a fantastic holiday and see you next year!

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 from the Netherlands (November 2007)

End of October, beginning November 2007 we stayed a week at your ranch. It was a fabulous week !

Paul Reis from Newmarket, UK  (2005)                                                                                      Bloodstock Manager for Tattersalls - Europe's leading Bloodstock auctioneers.

"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! "

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….. "

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 from 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 Rancho Huerta del Batán 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 !"

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 and Madeleine from Switzerland

"...each year gets better than the last..."

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..."

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……