Jerez dressage

Dressage training by Alcalaina CC



This morning we walked to the Dressage School; it's so well known here, and so many people come to see their performances, all you need to say is "the school," and people know what you mean. Started in 1973, La Real Escuela Andaluza Del Arte Ecuestre (the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art) trains riders in riding and driving. We saw individual riders (one woman and the rest men), four riders and then eight at a time, doing drill team moves. Two carriages, one with three horses and one with four performed, one doing such tight circles you held your breath.
No photos were allowed once the show started, so we only have the one below of a rider in the warmup ring at the end; people were starting to arrive.

The ring at the Dressage School

After that we walked around the corner to the Sandeman sherry cellar for a tour, tasting, and tapas. After learning that they use only American oak barrels, and much detail about the process, we got to the tasting room where we sipped three types of sherry: Palomino fino, much like a dry white wine, a medium sherry, very smooth, and a dark one which was really sweet. Two flamenco dancers performed on a small stage with a guitarist, which was a unexpected treat.

Our guide at Sandeman Cellar