ABOUT US
ABOUT US
About us
Equiberia Riding Holidays was born in 1996, out of a dream of founder and owner María Elena Dendaluce. “Every time I went on a riding holiday, I felt very strongly that that experience brought out the best in me, I felt alive and connected with the horses, the nature, and the people. I felt that there was another life waiting for me”.
More than a quarter century ago, that conclusion sparked a plan to create incredibly special riding holidays that reflected her love for horses, her passion for Spain and delighting others by sharing pure life experiences on horseback. It all started in the magnificent Sierra de Gredos, one of the best-kept secrets of Spain, a paradise for horses and for riders. Gredos is the Home of Equiberia and from there it all developed, into other regions of Spain and spreading the word all over the world.
Maria Elena, who has become known as the “Memory Maker” by her clients, holds true to her title: “My goal is to continue bringing together horse people from all over the world, to keep discovering the hidden Spain on horseback and to spark long-lasting relationships fruit of a shared passion and unique life experiences. My goal is to create lifetime memories that you will treasure forever.”
The Excellence of the Equiberia hospitality
The hospitality, attention to the detail, professionalism, knowledge and love of Spain is what sets the Equiberia team apart, ensuring a warm, seemingly spontaneous yet carefully crafted excellence. “We are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure you enjoy the most authentic Pure Life Experiences that create life lasting memories.” Equiberia organises rides in three other regions of Spain in collaboration with local partners. They are excellent equestrians who share her passion the horses, the good life, and the great company of the guests from all over the world.What our guests say
About 1
“Maria Elena is amazing, what a great lady and she has such a professional slick friendly and lovely back up team. Everyone was so accommodating, the horses were amazing, beautiful yet like mountain goats up those mountains, they were looked after so well and it was a true privilege to ride them. Nothing was too much trouble, lots of amazing food in amazing locations during our ride and then again in the evening – so much thought and hard work by the whole team goes into it all. I had a great time, and I’m sure the 3 other ladies I travelled with me will say the same. “
AJ (UK)
About 2
“Maria Elena’s warm welcome and passion for her horses and the Gredos, and her amazing team always went the extra mile and the amazing catering arrangements - being served a four-course meal under a canvas on a mountain plateau in a hailstorm was extraordinary! “
PM (UK)
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
María Elena
Jaime
Selma
Jaime, a native of Navarredonda de Gredos, has been helping with Equiberia’ s horses for many years. He also breeds and trains his own horses. In 2012, he became more involved in the work in the stables, the exercising of the horses and supporting the rides, and he loves it. He has keen attention to the detail and a helpful disposition ensuring that clients are well taken care of. He speaks exceptionally good Spanish, obviously, and he is taking English lessons and practices with Selma. Nevertheless, Jaime’s friendly nature means that communication is never a problem with him. Jaime is passionate about Gredos and Equiberia both of which are “home” for him.
María Elena Dendaluce is the founder and owner of Equiberia – Equitravel, Ltd. A former marketing professional world: France, Tunisia, Argentina, USA, Australia, Botswana. She is a terrific travel companion and is with an American multinational, she decided to follow her passion for horses and travel. Apart from being an excellent horsewoman, a deeply knowledgeable guide, and a talented storyteller, she is fluent in English and French and loves painting. Prior to founding Equiberia she did many riding tours in different parts of the well versed in the gastronomy, the history and culture as well as the nature of the regions. She has a keen talent for being able to bring you closer to the areas you travel giving you a more personal and unique experience.
Selma, from Denmark, loves the variety that working with horses brings and especially enjoys breaking in young horses and improving more established ones. She loves to accompany the rides and spend time getting to know the people who come and share this beautiful part of the world with us. Nevertheless, she really loves time spent working with the horses at home.
Mari Tere
Back up team
Evelyn
Mari Tere, also from Navarredonda de Gredos, oversees the catering on our rides and designing some of the menus. The Equiberia stables are probably some of the tidiest in Spain given her passion for cleanliness and order. She is in charge of keeping the saddles, the bridles, all the tack spotless, and the leather in great condition.
Cartucho, the senior Mastiff. The boss of the stables.
Bolita, Mastiff cross Belgium shepherd. Always full of energy.
Casper, the most intelligent Dalmatian ever.
Golfo, the Greyhound always getting in trouble.
Gordito, the new Mastiff puppy!
Evelyn, from Venezuela and a Spanish resident, is the newest member of the Equiberia team. She started working with María Elena in early 2020. Her background is from logistics and business management in large multinationals, but she has always been passionate about horses. She is the office and bookings manager María Elena had been dreaming of for years. She loves the combination of horses, business, and travel in addition to being close to nature, and meeting new, interesting people from all over the world.
Enrique
Catalina and Toni
Alfonso
Enrique, owner, and trainer of the horses in Segovia, leads the rides in Segovia, which started in 2011. He is an excellent equestrian, with a show jumping and cross-country background, trainer of show-jumping horses and a riding instructor. He is a very efficient, generous and kind person and always goes the extra-mile to cater to your every whim. He is passionate about Segovia, the nature, and the history of the region. He is a very fit and sportive rider always ready for long fun canters. His favourite word is CANTER!
Catalina and Toni, owners, and trainers of the horses in Menorca, lead the rides in Menorca, since2011. They breed their own horses and they are true horse lovers. They come from traditional Menorquín families, deeply in love with this beautiful island “the Pearl of the Mediterranean sea”. With María Elena, they were pioneers in exploring the Camí de Cavalls around the island to create this ride with the most spectacular views of Menorca.
The rides in Sevilla, which re-started in 2012 (Alfonso and María Elena were already partners in 1997), are led by Alfonso, owner and trainer of the horses in Sevilla. He is a great horseman, passionate and knowledgeable about the horses, the diverse equestrian disciplines and about the Andalusian traditions and countryside. He is an expert in Andalusian dressage or Doma Vaquera and he competed in TREC too. He joins El Rocío Pilgrimage year after year and every ride with him becomes a unique experience of the most authentic and exclusive Andalusia.
María Elena Dendaluce is the founder and owner of Equiberia – Equitravel, Ltd. A former marketing professional world: France, Tunisia, Argentina, USA, Australia, Botswana. She is a terrific travel companion and is with an American multinational, she decided to follow her passion for horses and travel. Apart from being an excellent horsewoman, a deeply knowledgeable guide, and a talented storyteller, she is fluent in English and French and loves painting. Prior to founding Equiberia she did many riding tours in different parts of the well versed in the gastronomy, the history and culture as well as the nature of the regions. She has a keen talent for being able to bring you closer to the areas you travel giving you a more personal and unique experience. CLOSE
María Elena
Jaime, a native of Navarredonda de Gredos, has been helping with Equiberia’ s horses for many years. He also breeds and trains his own horses. In 2012, he became more involved in the work in the stables, the exercising of the horses and supporting the rides, and he loves it. He has keen attention to the detail and a helpful disposition ensuring that clients are well taken care of. He speaks exceptionally good Spanish, obviously, and he is taking English lessons and practices with Selma. Nevertheless, Jaime’s friendly nature means that communication is never a problem with him. Jaime is passionate about Gredos and Equiberia both of which are “home” for him. CLOSE
Jaime
Selma, from Denmark, loves the variety that working with horses brings and especially enjoys breaking in young horses and improving more established ones. She loves to accompany the rides and spend time getting to know the people who come and share this beautiful part of the world with us. Nevertheless, she really loves time spent working with the horses at home. CLOSE
Selma
Mari Tere, also from Navarredonda de Gredos, oversees the catering on our rides and designing some of the menus. The Equiberia stables are probably some of the tidiest in Spain given her passion for cleanliness and order. She is in charge of keeping the saddles, the bridles, all the tack spotless, and the leather in great condition. CLOSE
Mari Tere
Cartucho, the senior Mastiff. The boss of the stables.
Bolita, Mastiff cross Belgium shepherd. Always full of energy.
Casper, the most intelligent Dalmatian ever.
Golfo, the Greyhound always getting in trouble.
Gordito, the new Mastiff puppy!
CLOSE
Back up team
Evelyn, from Venezuela and a Spanish resident, is the newest member of the Equiberia team. She started working with María Elena in early 2020. Her background is from logistics and business management in large multinationals, but she has always been passionate about horses. She is the office and bookings manager María Elena had been dreaming of for years. She loves the combination of horses, business, and travel in addition to being close to nature, and meeting new, interesting people from all over the world. CLOSE
Evelyn
Enrique, owner, and trainer of the horses in Segovia, leads the rides in Segovia, which started in 2011. He is an excellent equestrian, with a show jumping and cross-country background, trainer of show-jumping horses and a riding instructor. He is a very efficient, generous and kind person and always goes the extra-mile to cater to your every whim. He is passionate about Segovia, the nature, and the history of the region. He is a very fit and sportive rider always ready for long fun canters. His favourite word is CANTER! CLOSE
Enrique
Catalina and Toni, owners, and trainers of the horses in Menorca, lead the rides in Menorca, since2011. They breed their own horses and they are true horse lovers. They come from traditional Menorquín families, deeply in love with this beautiful island “the Pearl of the Mediterranean sea”. With María Elena, they were pioneers in exploring the Camí de Cavalls around the island to create this ride with the most spectacular views of Menorca.
The rides in Sevilla, which re-started in 2012 (Alfonso and María Elena were already partners in 1997), are led by Alfonso, owner and trainer of the horses in Sevilla. He is a great horseman, passionate and knowledgeable about the horses, the diverse equestrian disciplines and about the Andalusian traditions and countryside. He is an expert in Andalusian dressage or Doma Vaquera and he competed in TREC too. He joins El Rocío Pilgrimage year after year and every ride with him becomes a unique experience of the most authentic and exclusive Andalusia.
CLOSE
Catalina and Toni
The rides in Sevilla, which re-started in 2012 (Alfonso and María Elena were already partners in 1997), are led by Alfonso, owner and trainer of the horses in Sevilla. He is a great horseman, passionate and knowledgeable about the horses, the diverse equestrian disciplines and about the Andalusian traditions and countryside. He is an expert in Andalusian dressage or Doma Vaquera and he competed in TREC too. He joins El Rocío Pilgrimage year after year and every ride with him becomes a unique experience of the most authentic and exclusive Andalusia. CLOSE
Alfonso
María Elena
María Elena Dendaluce is the founder and owner of Equiberia – Equitravel, Ltd. A former marketing professional world: France, Tunisia, Argentina, USA, Australia, Botswana. She is a terrific travel companion and is with an American multinational, she decided to follow her passion for horses and travel. Apart from being an excellent horsewoman, a deeply knowledgeable guide, and a talented storyteller, she is fluent in English and French and loves painting. Prior to founding Equiberia she did many riding tours in different parts of the well versed in the gastronomy, the history and culture as well as the nature of the regions. She has a keen talent for being able to bring you closer to the areas you travel giving you a more personal and unique experience.
María Elena Dendaluce is the founder and owner of Equiberia – Equitravel, Ltd. A former marketing professional world: France, Tunisia, Argentina, USA, Australia, Botswana. She is a terrific travel companion and is with an American multinational, she decided to follow her passion for horses and travel. Apart from being an excellent horsewoman, a deeply knowledgeable guide, and a talented storyteller, she is fluent in English and French and loves painting. Prior to founding Equiberia she did many riding tours in different parts of the well versed in the gastronomy, the history and culture as well as the nature of the regions. She has a keen talent for being able to bring you closer to the areas you travel giving you a more personal and unique experience. CLOSE
María Elena
Jaime
Selma
Mari Tere
Jaime, a native of Navarredonda de Gredos, has been helping with Equiberia’ s horses for many years. He also breeds and trains his own horses. In 2012, he became more involved in the work in the stables, the exercising of the horses and supporting the rides, and he loves it. He has keen attention to the detail and a helpful disposition ensuring that clients are well taken care of. He speaks exceptionally good Spanish, obviously, and he is taking English lessons and practices with Selma. Nevertheless, Jaime’s friendly nature means that communication is never a problem with him. Jaime is passionate about Gredos and Equiberia both of which are “home” for him.
Selma, from Denmark, loves the variety that working with horses brings and especially enjoys breaking in young horses and improving more established ones. She loves to accompany the rides and spend time getting to know the people who come and share this beautiful part of the world with us. Nevertheless, she really loves time spent working with the horses at home.
Mari Tere, also from Navarredonda de Gredos, oversees the catering on our rides and designing some of the menus. The Equiberia stables are probably some of the tidiest in Spain given her passion for cleanliness and order. She is in charge of keeping the saddles, the bridles, all the tack spotless, and the leather in great condition.
Back up team
Evelyn
Cartucho, the senior Mastiff. The boss of the stables.
Bolita, Mastiff cross Belgium shepherd. Always full of energy.
Casper, the most intelligent Dalmatian ever.
Golfo, the Greyhound always getting in trouble.
Gordito, the new Mastiff puppy!
Evelyn, from Venezuela and a Spanish resident, is the newest member of the Equiberia team. She started working with María Elena in early 2020. Her background is from logistics and business management in large multinationals, but she has always been passionate about horses. She is the office and bookings manager María Elena had been dreaming of for years. She loves the combination of horses, business, and travel in addition to being close to nature, and meeting new, interesting people from all over the world.
Jaime, a native of Navarredonda de Gredos, has been helping with Equiberia’ s horses for many years. He also breeds and trains his own horses. In 2012, he became more involved in the work in the stables, the exercising of the horses and supporting the rides, and he loves it. He has keen attention to the detail and a helpful disposition ensuring that clients are well taken care of. He speaks exceptionally good Spanish, obviously, and he is taking English lessons and practices with Selma. Nevertheless, Jaime’s friendly nature means that communication is never a problem with him. Jaime is passionate about Gredos and Equiberia both of which are “home” for him. CLOSE
Jaime
Selma, from Denmark, loves the variety that working with horses brings and especially enjoys breaking in young horses and improving more established ones. She loves to accompany the rides and spend time getting to know the people who come and share this beautiful part of the world with us. Nevertheless, she really loves time spent working with the horses at home. CLOSE
Selma
Mari Tere, also from Navarredonda de Gredos, oversees the catering on our rides and designing some of the menus. The Equiberia stables are probably some of the tidiest in Spain given her passion for cleanliness and order. She is in charge of keeping the saddles, the bridles, all the tack spotless, and the leather in great condition. CLOSE
Mari Tere
Cartucho, the senior Mastiff. The boss of the stables.
Bolita, Mastiff cross Belgium shepherd. Always full of energy.
Casper, the most intelligent Dalmatian ever.
Golfo, the Greyhound always getting in trouble.
Gordito, the new Mastiff puppy!
CLOSE
Back up team
Evelyn, from Venezuela and a Spanish resident, is the newest member of the Equiberia team. She started working with María Elena in early 2020. Her background is from logistics and business management in large multinationals, but she has always been passionate about horses. She is the office and bookings manager María Elena had been dreaming of for years. She loves the combination of horses, business, and travel in addition to being close to nature, and meeting new, interesting people from all over the world. CLOSE
Evelyn
Enrique
Catalina and Toni
Alfonso
Enrique, owner, and trainer of the horses in Segovia, leads the rides in Segovia, which started in 2011. He is an excellent equestrian, with a show jumping and cross-country background, trainer of show-jumping horses and a riding instructor. He is a very efficient, generous and kind person and always goes the extra-mile to cater to your every whim. He is passionate about Segovia, the nature, and the history of the region. He is a very fit and sportive rider always ready for long fun canters. His favourite word is CANTER!
Catalina and Toni, owners, and trainers of the horses in Menorca, lead the rides in Menorca, since2011. They breed their own horses and they are true horse lovers. They come from traditional Menorquín families, deeply in love with this beautiful island “the Pearl of the Mediterranean sea”. With María Elena, they were pioneers in exploring the Camí de Cavalls around the island to create this ride with the most spectacular views of Menorca.
The rides in Sevilla, which re-started in 2012 (Alfonso and María Elena were already partners in 1997), are led by Alfonso, owner and trainer of the horses in Sevilla. He is a great horseman, passionate and knowledgeable about the horses, the diverse equestrian disciplines and about the Andalusian traditions and countryside. He is an expert in Andalusian dressage or Doma Vaquera and he competed in TREC too. He joins El Rocío Pilgrimage year after year and every ride with him becomes a unique experience of the most authentic and exclusive Andalusia.
The rides in Sevilla, which re-started in 2012 (Alfonso and María Elena were already partners in 1997), are led by Alfonso, owner and trainer of the horses in Sevilla. He is a great horseman, passionate and knowledgeable about the horses, the diverse equestrian disciplines and about the Andalusian traditions and countryside. He is an expert in Andalusian dressage or Doma Vaquera and he competed in TREC too. He joins El Rocío Pilgrimage year after year and every ride with him becomes a unique experience of the most authentic and exclusive Andalusia.
Enrique, owner, and trainer of the horses in Segovia, leads the rides in Segovia, which started in 2011. He is an excellent equestrian, with a show jumping and cross-country background, trainer of show-jumping horses and a riding instructor. He is a very efficient, generous and kind person and always goes the extra-mile to cater to your every whim. He is passionate about Segovia, the nature, and the history of the region. He is a very fit and sportive rider always ready for long fun canters. His favourite word is CANTER! CLOSE
Enrique
Catalina and Toni, owners, and trainers of the horses in Menorca, lead the rides in Menorca, since2011. They breed their own horses and they are true horse lovers. They come from traditional Menorquín families, deeply in love with this beautiful island “the Pearl of the Mediterranean sea”. With María Elena, they were pioneers in exploring the Camí de Cavalls around the island to create this ride with the most spectacular views of Menorca. CLOSE
Catalina and Toni
The rides in Sevilla, which re-started in 2012 (Alfonso and María Elena were already partners in 1997), are led by Alfonso, owner and trainer of the horses in Sevilla. He is a great horseman, passionate and knowledgeable about the horses, the diverse equestrian disciplines and about the Andalusian traditions and countryside. He is an expert in Andalusian dressage or Doma Vaquera and he competed in TREC too. He joins El Rocío Pilgrimage year after year and every ride with him becomes a unique experience of the most authentic and exclusive Andalusia. CLOSE
Alfonso