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)

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PHOTOS & VIDEOS

María Elena

Stefanie

Selma

Mari Tere

Back up team

Evelyn

Enrique

Catalina and Toni

Alfonso

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



Stefanie, from Switzerland, loves the Equiberia experience for many years. She is passionate about sharing it as a guide with people from all over the world, making sure that everyone takes the best of memories back. She is both a people and horse enthusiast and loves the beautiful nature and landscapes in Gredos, calling it her home away from home where she recharges energy for her consulting work. CLOSE

Stefanie



Selma Salome is one of our guides at Equiberia. Gredos is her second home and whenever she is not here she is studying biology at Copenhagen University. Born and raised in Copenhagen she rode Icelandic horses her whole life but at 18 she arrived in Gredos and fell in love with the Spanish horses and culture. She knows the mountains and horses like the palm of her hand and enthusiastically shares her love for Gredos as a guide. 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!
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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. CLOSE

María Elena



Jaime

Selma

Mari Tere

Back up team

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! 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