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Jerez - the Feria del Caballo The Feria del Caballos Review

The Feria del Caballo - (Horse Fair) which is held annually in early May in Jerez was a highlight of our holiday. If you want to see a real Andalucian festival with flamenco dress, equestrian pride and passion, and the sheer, almost hedonistic, enjoyment of life of southern Spain, come to the Feria.
We were joined by Carmen and Stace and Hansi and Lori on one day which was great fun. The dates for 2007 are 6th-13th May and for 2008 slightly earlier - 27 April - 4 May.

The event is held in the Parque Gonzalez Hontori, on Avenida Alcalde Alvaro Domeque, to the
north east of the city, about 2 km from the centre. There are plenty of buses which go from the centre of Jerez out to the Park, and there is some car parking near the ground although you would need to get there early. The showground is laid out into “streets” with over 250 Canestas (stands), many of which are taken by companies and businesses. It is, however, not like a trade show, but a party – as the canestas are really bars !

The main thoroughfares cross through the middle of the show ground, and it is here that the daily equestrian parade takes place, from around 1.00 pm or so until 7:30pm. There is no entry fee, but the "hunting down" of a not too costly hotel room for two nights in Jerez was a feat in itself. On a practical note, there is not much shade, and even in May, Jerez will be hot, so it is wise to dress comfortably. In order to sit down you need to go into the Stands, and that, means having something to eat or drink. Even the most fascinating events can be quite hard on the feet !

I must credit Andrew (alucas) with most of these photos and Carmen (Carmela71) with information relating to costume.

Jerez - The Feria - by night and at the fairground The Feria del Caballos Review

Last, but not least, at night the whole parade ground is lit by hundreds of thousands of lights, so bright that night seems to become day.

Finally, if all this is not enough, just beyond the main show ground to the east of the site there is a big modern fun fair with lots of stands and all sorts of different, and quite scary looking rides.

The traditional parade, put beside the kaleidoscope of colours and fantasy of flamenco dress, added to the sheer fun and dancing on the Canestas (stands), and at the Fairground, creates a combination of formality and flamboyance which is quite unforgettable – and very Andalucian.

I have included a travelogue showing a selection of "people pictures" which I hope shows some of the spirit of this event.

Jerez - The Feria - Canestas or Stands The Feria del Caballos Review

You will see the sheer fun and informality of most of the Canestas (stands) where, with very few exceptions, anyone can go. Big parties of families and friends gather together, they eat and drink, they dance, they party some more – and this being southern Spain the party goes on most of the night as the week of festivity progresses to a peak. There were few tourists at the event, but everyone was friendly and welcoming.

Jerez - The Feria - The Parade The Feria del Caballos Review

You will see a great parade of horses, riders and carriages in an impressive demonstration of equestrian perfection and pride. Competitors come from across Andalucia, from Jerez itself, and from places such as Cordoba, Ronda and Seville.

Jerez is the capital of Spain as far as horse breeding is concerned and is the home of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. (There is a separate tip on the school). On one side of the show ground there is an arena where there are daily competitions in equestrian skills. The carriages are beautiful, the horses are highly trained thoroughbreds – and impressively calm in the noisy throng of a Feria – and the riders immaculate.

The carriages are classified according to the number and arrangement of horses pulling the carriage. Two or four were the most common but there were a few with five or occasionally six horses.

Jerez - the Feria - Fashion The Feria del Caballos Review

You will see a fashion parade of ladies in flamenco dress – some wearing traditional styles, some in the latest fashion, all colourful, all dressed in their best. Carmen explained to us some of the differences in the fall of the skirt, the number of frills and the style of the flounces on the arms. Some ladies wore a matching top and skirt, which is cooler on a hot day than a dress.

Pictures here show a girl wearing the traditional dress with three tiers of flounces and big sleeves and another shows a couple of girls in slightly less traditional styles of dress.

The smartly dressed woman, who is greeting guests at the entrance to the company Canesta, is wearing the black trousers, short scarlet jacket and hat which is in the distinctive uniform of Gonzalez Byass.

The horseriders in the parade were very smart indeed as were some of the more formally dressed ladies.

On the other hand you could just wander in dressed as you please - though I don't expect you would be on the same invitation lists !