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Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art: Our most recommended tours and activities

Jerez de la Frontera: How the Andalusian Horses Dance

1. Jerez de la Frontera: How the Andalusian Horses Dance

Marvel at the equestrian skills of Spanish horses and riders at a unique "How the Andalusian Horses Dance" ballet at the Fundacion Real Escuela Andaluza Del Arte Ecuestre (Foundation Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art) in Jerez de la Frontera. Accompanied by quintessential Spanish music and 18th-century style costumes, the choreography uses movements based on classical dressage, Doma Vaquera (country-style riding), and traditional equestrian chores. Each show consists of 6-8 different choreographies, scheduled by the school according to the following repertoire: Doma Vaquera: Doma Vaquera is a Spanish riding discipline, based on traditional cattle herding. The horseman rides his horse around the arena using only one hand, first trotting and later galloping, changing the rhythm and performing pirouettes and arreones (breaking into a gallop). Classical Dressage: See different choreographies, such as “The Colts,” “Airs on Horseback,” “Pas de Deux,” “Passage and Piaffer,” “Domino on Horseback,” “Airs Above the Ground” and “Fantasy.” The horses carry out advanced exercises to classical music. Carriage Driving: Marvel as the horses demonstrate their ability to draw carriages. These horse-drawn carriages were originally used for transport, but are now relegated to sport and exhibitions, using classical harnesses and driven by coachmen who dexterously demonstrate exciting skills. Work in Hand: Admire the skill of a horse that obeys its rider even when the horseman is not in the saddle. They will carry out classical Haute École dressage exercises, such as levades, caprioles, courbettes, piaffe (between pillars), and the Spanish walk. Carrousel: See a group of horses and riders perform advanced equestrian exercises in unison, providing a fitting end to the performance.

Jerez de la Frontera: Andalusian Horse Dance and Museums

2. Jerez de la Frontera: Andalusian Horse Dance and Museums

Marvel at the equestrian skills of Spanish horses and riders at a unique "How the Andalusian Horses Dance" ballet at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez de la Frontera. Accompanied by quintessential Spanish music and 18th-century style costumes, the choreography uses movements based on classical dressage, Doma Vaquera, and traditional equestrian chores. The horses carry out advanced exercises to classical music. Each show consists of 6-8 different choreographies such as "The Colts," Airs on Horseback," Pas de Deux," Passage and Piaffer," "Domino on Horseback," Airs Above the Ground" and "Fantasy." See the horses demonstrate their ability to draw carriages which were originally used for transport, but are now used for sport and exhibitions, using classical harnesses and driven by coachmen who dexterously demonstrate their skills. See classical "Haute École" dressage exercises, such as levades, caprioles, courbettes, piaffe (between pillars), and the Spanish walk. Watch the group of horses and riders perform advanced equestrian exercises in unison, providing a fitting end to the performance. The entrance into the premises is through the Visitor Reception Centre, where you will find a digital cinema where you can see a spectacular audio-visual presentation of the history of equestrian art in Andalusia, until 11:00 AM. This area leads into the gardens, which contain a great variety of exotic plants. The Palace itself rises majestically above the gardens and is a beautiful example of 19th Century architecture.  In the basement, find the Museum of Equestrian Art, which consists of 11 rooms where you will discover the origins and history of equestrian art and the horse in Andalusia. Admire the Saddlery, the place where the harnesses are made and repaired. The Carriage Museum marks the end of your journey where you will see harnesses and equestrian costumes.

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Admission

3. Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Admission

With your admission ticket, you’ll enter the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art at the visitor reception center, where you’ll enjoy an audio-visual presentation on the history of equestrian art in Andalusia (available until 11:00 AM). The reception area leads into the gardens that feature a variety of exotic plants. Note the great fountain which adorns the center of the gardens and whose water jets invite visitors to enter further into the grounds of the Royal School. Across the fountain, the palace rises majestically above the gardens. It is a beautiful example of 19th-century architecture, designed by Charles Garnier. On the ground floor, you can admire the staterooms, decorated as they were originally conceived. In the basement, you’ll find the Museum of Equestrian Art, which comprises 11 rooms dedicated to the origins and history of equestrian art and the horse in Andalusia. Afterward, you’ll see where the harnesses are made and repaired. This laborious work is carried out in the saddlery by the master harness maker and his apprentices. Watch the training that takes place in the outdoor exercise rings, and see the indoor arena, a building designed in authentic Andalusian style. With a capacity of 1,600 people, this is the ideal place to watch the daily training of horses and riders. In the stables, an octagonal complex, you’ll see the school’s most emblematic horses. In the center of the stables is the tack room, where all the harnesses used for daily training and for shows are kept. A visit to the carriage museum marks the end of your visit. Admire the vehicles, horses, harnesses, and equestrian costumes in the museum’s collection.

Seville: Jerez and Cadiz Wine Tasting & Horse Show Day Trip

4. Seville: Jerez and Cadiz Wine Tasting & Horse Show Day Trip

Enjoy a combined 10-hour tour of Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz, and experience world famous wines and one of the most spectacular equestrian shows in the world. Your guide will introduce you to the world of wine at one of the best wine cellars in Jerez, world famous for its sherry production. Learn the process that goes into making the famous wines, from the soil to the sunlight, and deep-rooted production techniques. Taste several types of sherry in a typical bodega. Continue to the Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art Foundation to watch the “How the Andalucían Horses Dance” show, regarded as one of the finest equestrian ballets, with choreography based on traditional and cowboy methods of taming wild horses. Drive along the Costa de la Luz to Cadiz, where a local guide will take you around the city center to see the Neoclassical 17th-century cathedral. You will then have some free time to enjoy lunch and explore Europe’s oldest city on your own.

From Seville: Jerez, Cádiz and Andalusian Horses

5. From Seville: Jerez, Cádiz and Andalusian Horses

Depart Seville and journey by air-conditioned coach through the countryside of southern Spain en route to Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its horses and sherry wine production. Upon arrival in the palm-filled city, visit one of its historical bodegas where the sherry is produced. Meet your winemaker host and learn what makes the local sherry so special as you tour the grounds and see wooden casks in the cellars. Taste a delectable selection of sweet and dry sherry varieties in a unique atmosphere. Then, go to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to watch an authentic horse ballet. Marvel at the choreography, based on traditional and cowboy methods of taming wild horses, all set to Spanish music. Next, travel along the Costa de la Luz en route to the city of Cádiz. Follow your local guide to the cathedral in the historic city center, and get some spare time to enjoy lunch and explore on your own. 

From Seville: Private Guided Day Trip to Cádiz and Jerez

6. From Seville: Private Guided Day Trip to Cádiz and Jerez

You'll be picked up from your chosen location in Seville and first head off to Jerez which will take round 1 hour. You'll have time visit the Its old quarter where you'll see the Alcázar de Jerez, a Moorish fortress founded in the 11th century. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a typical Andalusian horse dance show that can be watched at The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, a famed riding school with also a carriage museum. Lunch can be held in a bar where you can enjoy an exciting flamenco show and taste the local sherry, from the so-called Sherry Triangle lying to the west of Jerez. From Jerez you'll then head over to Cadíz, a road trip that'll take approximately 40 minutes, you'll receive a tour around the city lasting between 3 and 4 hours, you can expect to visit; -The neighbourhood of El Populo, the oldest inhabited neighbourhood in Europe -Roman theatre -Cathedral of Cadíz -Fish Market, one of the oldest markets in all of Spain -Tavira tower, the Camera Obscura -La Vina, a neighbourhood full of legends -La Caleta Beach where we will watch the spectacular sunset. After a day full of activities, you can relax in the car as we make our journey back to Seville which will take around 1 hour 20 mins.

Jerez Private Tour From Seville: Wine and Equestrian Art

7. Jerez Private Tour From Seville: Wine and Equestrian Art

Enjoy a combined 10-hour tour of Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz, and experience world famous wines and one of the most spectacular equestrian shows in the world. Your guide will introduce you to the world of wine at one of the best wine cellars in Jerez, world famous for its sherry production. Learn the process that goes into making the famous wines, from the soil to the sunlight, and deep-rooted production techniques. Then taste several types of sherry in a typical bodega. Continue to the Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art Foundation to watch the “How the Andalucían Horses Dance” show, regarded as one of the finest equestrian ballets, with choreography based on traditional and cowboy methods of taming wild horses. Drive along the Costa de la Luz to Cadiz, where a local guide will take you around the city center to see the Neoclassical 17th-century cathedral. You will then have some free time to enjoy lunch and explore Europe’s oldest city on your own. Optional visits can be arranged to Tavira Tower, one of the last remaining towers from where merchants would look for returning ships. The tower has a pinhole camera-obscura, from where you can see all of the Old City projected onto a concave disc.

Other Sightseeing Options in Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

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What people are saying about Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 3,246 reviews

Show was really good. Before, you can walk around everywhere on the premises, watch the warming up of the horses, how they get showered and fed. There is also a palace and a nicely made museum. Lots to do. and the carriage museum, nearly forgot.

Versailles has been on my dream travel list for a long time. It did not disappoint. The audio guide was good. Access to the palace, gardens and the places Marie Antoinette hid from court were amazing as well.

We took a tour of the stables, which was very well organised by the staff there. Watching the training was quite fascinating and it’s also worth visiting the saddlery building.

The horse show was fabulous. The highlight of our trip to Jerez. The horses danced in perfect time to the music. Excellent training by the riders.

A nice experience, even if it is a bit far, but all in all it was worth it. The palace is truly beautiful. All perfect!