Iberian horses tend to make a great impact on the beholder, especially when it is a first time experience. Almost inevitably imagination begins to take over and before long you are wondering just how it might feel to actually ride one someday... if this is your dream, then Anna Woodcock may have the answer for you... She has been busy manifesting dreams of her own; the result being Laguna Equestrian Centre, her brand new stable yard in Spanish style, which now sits elegantly in her own orchard, complete with a full size ménage.

Such a project requires a deep reservoir of energy and determination, not to be undermined by the innumerable difficulties (usually of a bureaucratic nature!) which invariably present themselves along the way. Anna justifiably regards what she has achieved to date as the foundation of her future success in making Laguna one of the best of its kind in Southern Spain.

No doubt if anyone had told her years ago when visiting the area in connection with her flower import business that she would now be running a centre such as Laguna she would have been incredulous, but life can take strange twists at times and usually the seeds of change are further back in time.

Coronel, one of Laguna's resident stallions

Anna grew up with a love of horses and enjoyed riding her own Anglo Arab in England which she evented for fun. It was at a local show that she first saw Andalusian horses give a display and it could reasonably be argued that from that moment her fate was sealed! As with so many people before and since, this superb breed of horse (more correctly known as the Spanish Purebred) with its stunning looks and natural flamboyance made a great impact on her, and a silent promise to herself that “one day I will own one of those” proved prophetic indeed!

Anna and her family grew to love the lifestyle that Spain offered them and moved to Chipiona on Spain’s Atlantic coastline some years ago. Anyone with a love of horses could hardly fail to enjoy the area since horses are a vital part of the local culture. Anna found herself surrounded by the Andalusian horses she had once so admired and, feeling that the flower business was in decline, she hatched a plan to establish a new business based on what she loved most. Thus the idea of the riding centre was born and work in the ‘backyard’ commenced!

José Luis trained at the famous Royal School in Jerez

It was always Anna’s plan to make the most of her excellent location and she decided that the centre would offer pleasurable rides on quality horses to both the beach and the surrounding pine forests… not only that, but she would draw upon the local sources of classically trained riders and horses to offer high class instruction too. Determined to aim for the best, Anna naturally looked no further than a highly recommended graduate of Jerez’s famous Real Escuela – José Luis Muñoz Fanegos – who has over 10 years’ experience as a professional rider José Luis has worked and trained with many well known Spanish dressage experts, including Rafael Soto, Ignacio Ramblas (members of the Spanish Classical Dressage Olympic team) and Ignacio Lopez, so his credentials could hardly be better.

The stables are filled with quality, well cared for horses – mostly Spanish Purebreds which are suitable for riders of varying abilities. Even during my own hastily arranged brief visit, I was able to enjoy much that Laguna Equestrian Centre has to offer and feel sure that the variety of programmes available will soon build up a popular following.

© Sue Wingate - The Joy of Horses 2004