7th - 13th MAY 2012 
JEREZ HORSE FAIR
FERIA DEL CABALLO 2012
FERIA DE JEREZ



Dates now confirmed

Whatever you wish to call it you just cannot  miss the opportunity to visit the most vibrant and enjoyable Feria of Andalusia   

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Spain's world famous sherry producing town, Jerez de la Frontera, plays host to the most prestigious equine heritage event in the whole of Europe, the 'feria del caballo'.  The annual horse fair began as a livestock show in 1284 and is now a magnet for horse lovers.   It attracts many thousands of visitors each year who come not just to witness, but to participate in one of the biggest street parties inSpain.

The opening of the feria is an official event initiated by the Mayor of Jerez.  As the crowd gathers at dusk, they are treated to a spectacular massive firework display which is followed by the big switch on of the impressive feria lights.

Usually the mornings host all kinds of horse related activities such as high school dressage, carriage competions, accoso y arriba, international show-jumping competitions, vaulting, select livestock exhibitions and auctions.  However, the highlight of the Jerez Horse Fair is undoubtedly the "Como Bailan los Caballos Andaluces " or the 'Dancing Andalusian Horses' 
performed by the world famous Royal Equestrian School of Art


From lunchtime onwards, the González de Hontoria park begins to fill with beautifully decorated carriages that parade the showground. Everyone gets involved and both horse and riders are dressed a la Andaluz, a spectacle well worth seeing.

The 'casetas' are structures that range from small tents to large pavilions, from plain to elaborate, serving up food that ranges from the simplest tapas to full-scale restaurant fare, and drinks (lots of sherry of course). Many of the casitas are sponsored by various groups of families, local businesses, bodegas, clubs, trade unions and political parties.  Each  tent is decorated with its own theme and most of them compete for the 1st prize award. The municipal caseta is usually the largest and offers a fantastic programme of free entertainment.

People eat, drink and dance sevillanas, rumbas, bulerias and other traditional dances in one of the beautifully decorated casitas (small bars) until the early hours of the morning with an incredible, enjoyable atmosphere that seems to transform the park into one big flamenco fiesta.     

A busy street market open day and night, a huge funfair which attracts both adults and children, bullfights, sevillana dance competitions and more fireworks are other festive activities that complete the programme of the Fair. 









A trip to 'The annual Jerez Horse Fair' should certainly be on the agenda not only of all horse lovers but also for anyone who wants to sample a taste of rural Spain at its very best. Organising ferias is one thing that the Spanish, and the Andalusians in particular excel at and the Feria de Caballo de Jerez is certainly no exception.
  
Choose between
Accommodation only - B&B - Half board.



From £299
5 nights 4 days
7 nights or 6 days FLEXIBLE ARRIVAL &
DEPARTURE DAYS

Price for hour is 25 euros and for two hours 50 euros. Trail rides with lunch also available.

Below is a similar package enjoyed by our guests for the FERIA DEL CABALLO 2008/2009/2010. Read some of their reviews HERE.
  

SAT  Arrival at Jerez airport you are greeted by our representatives and transferred to Huerta Montero in Chiclana (45mins) where, after being shown your chalets you are offered welcome drinks and snacks with the chance to meet your fellow guests.   If you have chosen a morning flight then you have the option to enjoy some free time or visit a local riding centre for a hack in the pine forest.  Those arriving on the evening flight will be transfered directly to Huerta Montero and then you all have the opportunity to go to the seafront, where you can try out some of the many restaurants and bars (optional). Transfer back to accommodation..    

SUN After hearty hot and cold buffet breakfast served by the pool we will transfer you to the centre of Jerez. We arrive at Tio Pepe's for Bodega visit, which will last approximately one and a half hours.   You have plenty of time to visit the City, the Equestrian museum and much more. Enjoy one of the many demonstrations and shows at the Palacio de Exposiciones de IFECA, or the Centro de Reproducción Equina nº2.  The parade in the Gonzalez de Hontoria park begins at 13.00 until 19.00.   At 19.00,  transfer back to the complex.  Relax or freshen up then at 21.00 you are all invited, it's BBQ time.   Taste fresh prawns, succulent chicken and tender steak with a few local tapa dishes, all washed down with complimentary drinks of wine, beer or soft drinks.   There will also be a vast choice of vegetarian dishes.  Mix with fellow guests and enjoy the evening.

MON. After breakfast there is the option for those that ride to join in a two hour ride to the beach or just take advantage of free time to explore the area and try some local cuisine. There are many other activites that can be arranged such as a trip into Chiclana, quad biking, scuba diving, boat trips up the Guadalquivir river etc.  You have all day to explore as  we plan to leave at 8.30pm to enjoy the feria by night when all the park lights are lit and the atmospfere is electric. The young at heart will love the huge fun fair at the end of Avenida de las Palmeras.  Sit with a cool drink and people watch, or enjoy the music and dance the night away with the locals but whatever you do be prepared for a late one.    

WED. Some of you will be flying back to the UK today so after a hearty breakfast, and having said our goodbyes, we head off to the airport in time for your check in.  For those of you who have booked for the week you have a free time day to explore some of the other fabulous locations in this area.   We have mountain bikes available to hire and you are welcome to use one of our picnic hampers.   Guests arriving today will be collected from the airport and have the same itinerary                    

THURS - FRIDAY  - SATURDAY   If you are staying for the week you have the option to join the group and repeat all of the above trips, or we can organise on your behalf trips to Gibralter, Seville, Cadiz.   There is also the possibility to hire a car to go and explore some of the fabulous beaches.   If neither of these appeal, then why not relax near the pool.   It's your choice!  For those guests that arrived yesterday, the fun begins with their first visit to Jerez and the itinerary  remains as above with the option of going to the Yeguada del Hierro instead of the Royal School.

SUN. After breakfast we begin the journey to Jerez airport where we say farewell to those guests   booked on the morning flight back to the Uk.   Guests on the evening flight get the chance to relax and do their own thing until it is time to leave for the  airport.   We hope  to see you all again next year.  Please note: The final itinerary will be sent out Sunday month prior to the holiday and may include updates and changes, as many events are arranged by local organizations nearer to the date.

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