Living at the Costa del Sol offers the chance to completely change one’s lifestyle and do the things one has always dreamed about. For experienced riders and horse riding beginners there’s plenty of choice in the greater Marbella area. Even if a family’s budget doesn’t stretch to buying a large finca with their own stables and fields, riding on a daily or weekly basis is still possible.
There are several riding schools and stables in nearby Fuengirola and Mijas for example, located just a short drive or trip by public transport from Marbella. The Finca La Alegria is a private family run riding school located a few kilometres inland from La Cala de Mijas, which lies between the resorts of Fuengirola and Marbella, just 5 minutes from the coast. Close by is Club Hipico El Dorado, beautifully situated in Entrerrios. The club’s facilities include a pony club, horse jumping and horse treks out into the gorgeous countryside.
Operator Finca Krimalina is also located near Fuengirola, providing experienced riders with horseback treks into the beautiful countryside of Andalucía. Something for everyone in a horse-obsessed household is offered by the Costa del Sol School of Equestrian Arts located near Estepona, which is not only one of the largest and most popular equestrian centres in Spain, but also offers some of the finest horse riding facilities in Europe.
The “Escuela De Arte Ecuestre Costa Del Sol” is beautifully situated between the lovely Sierra Bermeja Mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea. There are both in- and outdoor facilities for horse owners, who are either permanent residents of Estepona or own property in Marbella. Holidaymakers and visitors are welcome to take riding lessons or attend the pony club. The centre is a British Horse Society Approved School with BHS trained and qualified staff, where every rider - from complete beginners to aspiring competition riders who own their horse can find tuition and facilities to suit their individual requirements.
Particularly important for families moving to the Marbella area is that kids and teenagers settle in quickly and make new friends. Joining a pony club offers just that: there’s the chance to make new friends and have fun, while learning to take care of a pony and learn how to ride a horse.
Family fun of a different kind, but still horse related, can be found at El Cartujano, the amazing equestrian shows held in Mijas-Costa, near Malaga, where every Thursday, the operator Cartujano del Arte Ecuestre hosts a unique show based around the dressage and beauty of the Carthusian pure blooded horse. The show highlights the elegance of the movements through classic dressage accompanied by traditional Andalucía music.
For those who like horses but don’t want to ride them there’s also the Hipodromo Costa Del Sol, the major horse track at Spain’s southern coast. The Hipodrome is a fantastic venue for a family day out. Races are held in winter and summer, offering the chance to see how professional riders handle horses and perhaps have a little flutter on the betting, too.
For an evening out with a difference the resort of Torremolinos has the famous Centro de Equitación “El Ranchito” to offer. The unusual “Rhythm on Horse” show is based on rhythm and discipline, traditional music and beauty, perhaps best described as classical ballet for equestrians.
While in the UK and the rest of northern Europe people have experienced yet another rain-soaked summer and cloudy skies, the warm climate at the Costa del Sol can be truly life changing. Currently the Eurozone is still wrestling with its many sovereign debt burdens, which means the single European currency exchange rate is in favour of pound sterling property buyers, since buyers can enjoy exchange rates of around £1 = EUR 1.25, making their purchase in Marbella considerably cheaper.
Spanish house prices are not envisaged to rise until at least March 2013, when the first Spanish banks might take advantage of the EUR 100 billion bail-out fund the Spanish government has been offered by the other European member states. Until then, Spanish banks will continue to sell off Costa del Sol property they hold on their balance sheets at rock bottom prices.