The Royal Andalusian
School of Equestrian Art
History
In 1973, The King Juan Carlos I awarded to
Alvaro Domecq Romero the “Golden Horse” trophy, due to this, Alvaro Domecq
performed his show "How the Andalusian Horses Dance", which liked to
attendees. This show was the germ of the
current foundation.
During the first phase, the school was
developing under the managerial of Alvaro Domecq, but later, the Ministry of
Tourism decided to get the managerial of the school purchasing "El recreo
de las cadenas" to Abrantes's Duke. It began the construction of an arena
with 1600 people capacity and 60 horseboxes.
In 1982 the Ministry gave the managerial to
Governing Body under the charge of Cadiz Provincial Council, thus promoting
re-launch national and international of the school.
From 1986 the Governing Body has achieved even
its most optimistic expectations and providing all the financial, technical and
personal requirements. In this year, the school acquired the stables of Pedro
Domecq de la Riva with 35 Spanish breed horses, 19 horses-drawn carriages and
their harnesses, some dating back of 1730.
In 1987, the King received in audience to the
Governing Body and accepted the post of honorary President and conferring the
title of 'Royal School' to the Institution.
The show "How the Andalusian Horses
Dance" is considered the most famous and important event of this school,
but there are other aspects which are regarded as equally, or even more
important, for the Institution as, its role as a social and cultural vehicle
for Andalusia and Spanish equestrian heritage, the selection and promotion of
horses, maintaining the prestige of Spanish horsemanship, the breed of our
Spanish horses and the Spanish traditions and culture.
“El recreo de las cadenas” (Palace)
The palace was built in the 19th century. It is
eclectic style, attributed to Charles Garnier who is the author of the Opera of
Paris and The Casino of Monte-Carlo.
It has two facades, the eastern which has the
main features of the monumental baroque and French classicism, and the
occidental, neoclassical style.
Regarding to the garden, it had a diversity of
fruit trees, flowers, lakes, fountains and ponds; bridges and exotic animals.
Currently, it has gardens with Indian trees and a central fountain.
The palace was ordered to build by the wine
businessman Julián Pemartín y Laborde, due to this, his family shield is in the
grating the gateway.
Later, the palace was acquired by the Duke of
Abrantes.
In its interior exists a chapel that was used
by the protestant community of Jerez in the 19th century.
The palace is in the enclosure of The Royal
Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, so that the visit to the school includes
the palace's visit.
Visits
The visit
schedule is from 10:00 am to 2:00pm
There are 3
kinds of visit. The full tour, short tour and the carriage museum. Each one has
a different price and duration, so you can visit the official website to look
for the best option for you.
The show
"How the Andalusian horses dance" is at 12:00 noon in the following
days:
·
January
to February: Thursdays
·
March-July:
Tuesdays and Thursdays
·
August-September:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
·
October-December:
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Saturdays
shows:
18th
January, 15th February, 1st March, 19th April, 3rd and 17th May, 14th June,
26th July, 16th August, 6th September, 11th October, 1st November and 6th
December
The show
has an approximately duration of 90 minutes.
