Posted on October 29, 2019
In this blog post In The Saddle guest Penny tells us about her recent visit to Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina.
Kevin & Louisa Begg and the team at Los Potreros are simply amazing hosts. On arrival at the family estancia, there is a really warm welcome, this is echoed as you meet each subsequent member of the team – the gauchos, guides, chefs, house manager and of course, the dogs! There is always someone on hand to chat to or to offer you tea, lemonade or a glass of wine.
Our stay was in the ‘Woodpecker Cottage’, authentically furnished as Argentinian homes have been for many years; a mixture of luxury and history and a really lovely place to be. Merlin the foal thought so too and was often to be found in the garden or on the terrace, with his cheeky sidekick Chimichurri never too far away.
Woodpecker Cottage
Taking a holiday on a cattle estancia is not an obvious choice for a vegetarian with a large appetite and I feared meals might be limited. I should not have given this a second thought. I was served a variety of delicious wholesome food and there was always seconds on offer. Of course, there were no complaints from the meat eaters either, who tucked into top-quality home produced beef.
Provoleta – yum!
So, with my sleeping arrangements and sustenance sorted what could be better? Well actually the horses. Every day a different mount and every one a complete pleasure to ride, responsive, well-mannered and sure-footed.
El Cid & I admire the view
The gaited Pasos were like riding on a cloud, whilst the Criollo hit a sweet spot with any level of rider. Having so many horses to choose from, Lou took pains to ensure a good match for both horse and rider to be happy. The riding is over stunning, hilly terrain, with many opportunities for a good ‘galope’! Our gauchos and guides led the way and ensured the safety of all.
Exploring the hills on an afternoon ride
My week at Los Potreros has left me with fond memories; what a beautiful location. The horses are treated with care and respect, they thrive on being part of a herd. The hosts were lovely, and then there are the dogs! It was a complete joy from start to finish. Thank you.”
If you’d like to experience estancia life or book a Learn to Play Polo week, then please contact Abbie on +44 (0) 1299 272 239 or email abigail@inthesaddle.com
