Staff Review Biggi's Review Biggi Hayes March 2005
Every morning I woke to the sounds of birds and roosters announcing another day. The mountain air was crisp and I snuggled deeper into the comfortable bed. My cheerful room was decorated with bright colored Mexican handicrafts with the sun as the main motif. Breakfast, consisting of hot strong coffee, fresh fruits, egg dishes and sweet pastries, would be waiting in the large dining room. We would then be ready for another glorious day in the saddle. Life could not be better.
I spent a wonderful week on horseback exploring the many trails in Valle de Bravo and along the lake of the same name. Our hosts Pepe and Lucia had most graciously welcomed us into their beautiful home, tucked into a valley of the Sierra Occidentale. The spacious hacienda, with its beautiful courtyard and groomed gardens, reminded me of a by-gone era. The swimming pool and jacuzzi soothed away the aches after long days in the saddle. Their wonderfully fit, surefooted horses let us explore the area’s variety of vegetation: fir and pine forests (including the native and exotic montezuma pine), many species of oak, giant stalks of lupine. Colorful wild flowers complimented the ever-changing landscape of steep mountain trails, wide valleys which invited to long canters, volcanoes on the distant horizon and the tierra caliente lowlands baking in sunshine. Every day was more spectacular than the one before.
On the third day we visited the nearby monarch butterfly reserve. The butterflies were sensing the nearing of the rainy season and preparing to begin their migration north to Texas. It was fascinating to learn that it takes several generations to complete the route to their summer destination and only one generation in six lives long enough to return to Mexico the following winter. The butterflies were hanging in clusters on the fir trees but when the wind subsided and the rays of the sun warmed them enough, they came to life, spread their wings and soared into the sky.
Since we also offer the Relaxed Cavalcade Ride which includes riding lessons in flatwork, dressage or jumping Lucia gave me a lunge lesson, which is always very helpful, as well as a lesson in flatwork and dressage. I found her to be a wonderful and effective teacher with a keenly observant eye, always asking and demanding the most effort from her students. My lessons were not easy but I learned a lot and will definitely take more when I return.
All great things too quickly come to an end and the week we spent astride wonderful horses and in the company of newly-made friends flew by. During the two days I spent in Mexico City before the ride I was exposed to the deep-rooted ancient cultures by visiting the famous Teotihuacan pyramids and the shrine of the Lady of Guadelupe. While on the ride Pepe and Lucia shared their vast knowledge of flora, fauna and history with us and we stepped back in time visiting indigenous mountain villages. I experienced a de-mystified Mexico, utterly charming and extremely welcoming and because it is so close, I’m looking forward to returning soon.
I spent a wonderful week on horseback exploring the many trails in Valle de Bravo and along the lake of the same name. Our hosts Pepe and Lucia had most graciously welcomed us into their beautiful home, tucked into a valley of the Sierra Occidentale. The spacious hacienda, with its beautiful courtyard and groomed gardens, reminded me of a by-gone era. The swimming pool and jacuzzi soothed away the aches after long days in the saddle. Their wonderfully fit, surefooted horses let us explore the area’s variety of vegetation: fir and pine forests (including the native and exotic montezuma pine), many species of oak, giant stalks of lupine. Colorful wild flowers complimented the ever-changing landscape of steep mountain trails, wide valleys which invited to long canters, volcanoes on the distant horizon and the tierra caliente lowlands baking in sunshine. Every day was more spectacular than the one before. 
On the third day we visited the nearby monarch butterfly reserve. The butterflies were sensing the nearing of the rainy season and preparing to begin their migration north to Texas. It was fascinating to learn that it takes several generations to complete the route to their summer destination and only one generation in six lives long enough to return to Mexico the following winter. The butterflies were hanging in clusters on the fir trees but when the wind subsided and the rays of the sun warmed them enough, they came to life, spread their wings and soared into the sky. 
Since we also offer the Relaxed Cavalcade Ride which includes riding lessons in flatwork, dressage or jumping Lucia gave me a lunge lesson, which is always very helpful, as well as a lesson in flatwork and dressage. I found her to be a wonderful and effective teacher with a keenly observant eye, always asking and demanding the most effort from her students. My lessons were not easy but I learned a lot and will definitely take more when I return.