The beauty of the Costa del Sol is its diversity.  From the swish resorts of Marbella and Puerto Banus,  to the more tranquil regions of inland Andalucia, there is something for everyone.  But few visitors to Malaga realise that one of the most beautiful towns in Andalucia lies just 40 minutes from the airport.  Antequera is a hidden gem of a town, just 47km north of Malaga, which transports visitors back in time.

Occupying a commanding position overlooking a fertile valley, Antequera is famous for its production of olives and wild asparagus, and its stunning spires, towers and churches which dominate the landscape. Antequera has not been spoilt by mass tourism or commercialism and remains a bastion of all things Andalucian, and typically Spanish.  Remains of the fine Moorish castle still sit high above the town, and the amazing Jurassic-style natural limestone creations of El Torcal attract visitors from all over Europe.
Having visited most regions of Andalucia, we wanted to scratch the surface of Antequera, and discover more about the ex-pats who live and work there.  It was on one such fact-finding mission that we met one of the most inspirational and gifted horsewomen in Europe, Tracy James.

Natural Horsemanship in Andalucia
Having arrived on the Costa del Sol in 2004 from Lancashire, with 3 dogs, 2 cats and a parrot, Tracy James opened Andalucia´s first natural horse-riding ranch, at Bobadilla Estación near Antequera.  Tracy didn´t speak a word of Spanish when she arrived, and had to negotiate her way round the countryside using sign language with the bemused locals. Now, The San Antonio Ranch, 40 minutes inland from Malaga, surrounded by stunning scenery and mountain ranges, offers visitors a unique insight into horse behaviour and psychology.

Says Tracy: ´´I already had a holiday home in Casares, near Estepona, so the decision to relocate to Spain wasn´t a difficult one.  I felt comfortable in Spain, and although nobody in the area spoke any English, it´s amazing how quickly you can pick up a language when it´s important to you. I bought the San Antonio Ranch in March, 2004 and moved in in June of the same year.  The property needed modernising but was liveable and had all the amenities we needed for the horses.´´

Already an accomplished horsewoman in England, Tracy needed life-saving surgery after a bad fall from a horse tore her liver.  Only then did she start to explore the psychology and language of the horse, which led to her completing a 10-week course with the world-renowned horse whisperer, Monty Roberts, after visiting him in California.

Tracy says: ´´I had a very bad fall from a horse when I was 30 years old, which ended up with a life-saving operation.  Although the operation was a success, it got me thinking more about the reason why it happened. I realised I didn´t really have any understanding of the psychology of the horse or why horses act out the behaviours they do, which lead to accidents when they are not understood.  Horse riding is a dangerous sport, and the animals need to be understood.´´

´´I was given a video of Monty Roberts, known as the horse whisperer worldwide, very soon after my accident, and I was mesmerised by his knowledge of the horse´s language – primarily a body and energy language.  After I met him in California he offered me a place on his courses in England.  I am now a recommended associate of The Intelligent Horsemanship Association, plus I was awarded the Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate in Horsemanship, after a ten-week course.´´

Unique style and understanding horse behaviour
Tracy has her own unique style of teaching and her own concepts and personal development skills are recognised within the industry as being in the forefront of uncovering new ground in understanding horse behaviour.

The San Antonio Ranch is set on 50 acres of flat land with over 2,000 olive, fig and almond trees.  Boasting spectacular views of the mountains and enjoys over 320 average days of sunshine per year. This is the ultimate ´get away from it all´ experience, and the ranch has a wonderful feeling of space, with courtyards, garden areas, large terraces and a swimming pool.  A scented herb garden offers shaded and sunny areas.
Accommodation consists of guest suites known as the stables, which are comfortably decorated in traditional Andalucian-style with fabulous views over the surrounding countryside.  The guest area comprises of  comfortable lounge area with a fully fitted kitchen, WI-FI access and satellite television and DVD/VHS movies to watch.  Accommodation can be booked on a fully-inclusive or self-catering basis.  The talented in-house chef has a passion for cooking, and uses the freshest fish, vegetables, meats and local produce available.  Veggies are also well catered for.  Bread and cakes are fresh baked at the local ´panaderia´.

Trips to Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Marbella and beyond
If you want to explore other areas on the once weekly, free day, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda can all be reached by train.   The village of Bobadilla Estación is just a few minutes away by car, and Antequera can be reached in only 15 minutes.  You may want to chill out or heat up by the pool, top up your tan and recharge your batteries.  Although no meals are served on the free day, you will find a host of great tapas bars, restaurants and cafés close by to suit all tastes and budgets.

Marbella, Puerto Banus and most of the Costa del Sol´s most popular tourist resorts are situated little over an hour away from the ranch.  If you fancy a day at the beach, an excellent road connects Antequera with the coast.

One of my favourite must-see regions of Andalucia is the El Chorro Lakes.  Known as the Spanish Lake District, you can reach El Chorro in only 20 minutes by car from the ranch.  Here you can swim in the clear water, dive off the rocks or while away a few hours in one of the excellent restaurants with stunning views over the water.

Dances with wolves
If getting up close and personal with a wolf is more your thing, Lobo Park, (the Wolf Park,) nearby, offers visitors a unique opportunity to see wolves in a semi-natural environment. Canadian Timber, European, Alaskan, Tundra and Iberian Wolves can all be looked in the eye in over 40 hectares of natural, protected parkland.  Situated just 15 minutes drive from the San Antonio Ranch, Lobo Park is an unforgettable experience.  Observation platforms are dotted around the park, so don´t worry about getting eaten (only joking) – you can view from a safe distance. An 18-hole golf course has been built in the hills overlooking Antequera, and sports enthusiasts can hire a set of clubs from Tracy if they want to spend an afternoon at the course.

One week, two week and one month courses are available at the ranch, plus one-day development courses.  Beginners and experienced horse riders are all welcome.  Individual hourly lessons are available on request, and one-to-one workshops are available if you prefer to develop your horsemanship skills privately.

Courses, clinics and workshops
Courses, clinics and workshops include: Learning how to read horses and interpret their behaviour
Riding – Unravel the mystery of ´Flexion without Force´, and discover true unity and softness with your horse based on trust and communication.
Simple body awareness exercises helping you to achieve natural harmony and balance when on the ground and in the saddle.
Lessons in the use of photonic light therapy and barefoot trimming.
Trail riding through beautiful countryside and olive groves
A night camping under the stars with your horse (week 2).
Fantastic, spacious accommodation.
Relaxation and reflection time under the beautiful Mediterranean sun.

Leadership in its truest form
Tracy James Quote: ´´Leadership in its truest form, developing trust, respect and confidence is, in essence, what my Natural Connection Programme is all about.  It´s about embracing our own self worth and inner confidence and connecting to it in such a way that we are able to grow emotionally and mentally fitter; to ´be there´ for our horses when they really need us to offer the best possible leadership for them.  We all have the ability to step into our own Power and become True Leaders, we just have to believe it´s possible.  Here at The Natural Horse Centre, we give you the Belief.´
Packages at the San Antonio Ranch include: Accommodation, learning how to ´read´ horses and interpret their behaviour and trekking through some of Andalucia´s most beautiful countryside. Tracy´s vast knowledge of natural horsemanship not only teaches guests about the horses, but also teaches them how to re-connect with themselves and rediscover their true values.  Hers is a journey of discovery, self-belief and an unshakeable faith in her ability to teach others and to improve  understanding and interaction between horses and humans.

For more information about Natural Horse riding in Spain, contact Tracy James on:  0034 952720271 or Fax: +34 952720444.  Website: www.naturalhorseridinginspain.com. Contact: tracy@naturalhorseridinginspain.com. Address:  San Antonio Ranch, Bobadilla Estacion, Antequera, Malaga, 29540.