Horseman's Thanksgiving in Spain at SICAB

By Barbara Clark

If you go to SICAB (The World's Largest P.R.E. [Pura Raza Espanola, or in English Pure Spanish Horse] horse show in Sevilla, Spain), you will feel very sorry for all the other Americans who only have turkey and stuffing to look forward to. While most people in the USA were gathering around the table to eat dinner at some distant relative's house, we were being treated to eating dinner in the Alcazar Castle, where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand received Christopher Columbus after he returned from the new world. Sipping Spanish Cava, the Spanish version of Champagne, and selecting from an endless supply of delicious tapas served for hours at the castle will make you wonder why anyone wanted to go to the new world at all!

This was just one of the events that make a visit to SICAB an unforgettable trip. There are those of us who are quite addicted to Thanksgiving in Spain simply because of the thousands of beautiful horses everywhere you turn. Everywhere you see a horse at SICAB you will want to ride it!

Many people combine a trip to SICAB with a riding vacation either before or after the seven day horse show. This comprehensive show has something for every horse enthusiast with several rings in service every day, all seven days. There is a combined driving championship, jumping championship, dressage championship, Doma Vaquera (a Spanish version of western style reining) championship, High School championship done to music, and all sorts of morphological or halter championships.

Along with all the horse candy to watch is an absolute city of vendors. You can walk away completely outfitted in the latest European riding apparel fashions from dressage to Spanish style riding. The beautiful Spanish style dresses hanging on the racks will make you want to take dancing lessons! You can even purchase Spanish ranch furnishings to make your ranch or home more comfortable. SICAB is a great place to find unusual Christmas presents for the entire family.

The crowning glory of SICAB is the show, as the Spanish say it “Espectaculo," that takes place every evening. It is two hours of the most amazing, varied, and extreme horsemanship you will ever see. Every year is different and, of course, always features the P.R.E. Breed. This year was very special because the “Espectaculo” held a tribute to Spain's Olympic Silver Medal Dressage Horse, Invasor. It was actually a retirement ceremony for the spectacular horse and it served as his goodbye performance. Invasor's long time rider and best friend, Rafael Soto, rode him to a standing ovation. It was a very emotional moment for all who attended and worth the trip by itself.

Start planning your trip now for next Thanksgiving. You won't even think about turkey. You will be too busy having the time of your life!

Read Barbara's article on the P.R.E. Horse

Learn more about horseback riding vacations in Spain that include SICAB at EquitrekkingTravel.com.

Purchase Equitrekking DVDs, the Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback book and horse gifts at ShopDarley.com