Yeguada de la Cartuja

Visits on SATURDAYS ONLY
arrive around 10.40 hrs.
Welcoming reception : 11.00 hrs.
Tickets €.10 per person, €.6 for under 12 and over 65 yrs.
(ask for a ticket in Group C from which you get much the best view, avoid Group E)

It is easier to park, less publicized, and therefore much less crowded than the show of the Dancing Horses in Jerez.

To get there: take the N.340 direction Cadiz. After Vejer on your left, take the turning right to Medina Sidonia. At the roundabout follow the sign Paterna direction Jerez.
Follow the motorway until you come to a T-junction. Keep on following direction Jerez. When nearing Jerez you will see a cement factory -HOLCIM- on your left. Take the exit 4 - El Portal - CA 2015 - and turn left on the round-about following the sign marked Yeguada de la Cartuja 1,5 Km. The gate will be open. Total driving time from Tarifa around 1 hour 15 minutes.

--- Yeguada de la Cartuja ---

By the 15th Century the Cartusian Monastery was already established as the undisputed centre for the breeding of the famous Jerezano horses, and has remained so until today, with over 200 head of these Spanish thoroughbreds. You are taken round the stables in small groups divided according to language and a short explanation is given. You see the new born foals, you see the one-year old colts, and the two year old colts. These horses are famed in particular for their beautiful proportions, their graceful movements, noble and docile nature, and energy. You are shown the veterinary clinic.

Then comes the show, which is truly delightful and much less ‘formal’ in character than the show of the Dancing Horses in Jerez. The shows are dissimilar, and it is therefore enjoyable to visit both.
Here, there is first a free-running show of the 1-year old colts, followed by a dressage exhibition, then the 2-year old colts, then the free running stallions. Thereafter there is a special demonstration featuring a string of brood mares, and if you are there at the right season, (which I think is mid-April to mid-May but I need to check this!) suddenly the gates open, and all their foals race down to join them, each one finding its own mother - a truly endearing sight.

If you leave quickly, you can get a place on a carriage and take a short turn round the courtyard. You are then offered a sherry -

You leave again around 13.00 hrs. My suggestion would be now to drive to Vejer de la Frontera and enjoy lunch at Restaurant El Calife in the Plaza de España. However, if you have children with you, you may prefer to drive on to El Palmar and lunch at La Chanca and make the most of the wonderful beach there (take your boogie board!).

The Cartuja will delight horse lovers. The horses are well cared for, the dressage is less formal than in the horse show in Jerez. It is also an ideal family outing as it is an easy drive, very easy parking, and not too long. I hope you will make the effort to go.

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Hotel Guesthouse Dar Cilla Tarifa Spain Zoë is the owner of Guesthouse Dar Cilla which is unique of its sort in Tarifa. It is located on the outskirts of the old town within the old 12th century walls. 'Dar' is an Arabic word for a town house in which a series of suites are grouped around a central courtyard. Each suite is fully independent, but there is a pleasant air of 'sociability' and you will meet Zoë and fellow guests on the roof terrace over a glass of wine.

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