Horse riding for pleasure, exercise or competition in Panama
(newsroompanama.com) Panama’s equine community is probably one of the country’s best kept secrets, but is an attraction growing by “leaps and bounds” for expats from Canada, USA, Europe and for Panamanians.
You don’t have to be one of the “horsey” crowd to enjoy an afternoon of watching riders and horses perform, or to take up, or revisit riding as an enjoyable form of relaxation or exercise.
Panama boasts some excellent equine facilities and schools like Club Equestrian Metropolitan in Clayton; Coronado Equestrian Center, Hacienda Country Club in Cerro Azul. There are others in Boquete, and Colon and then there is Castilla Del Oro.
Castilla Del Oro is nestled in the foothills of Pedregal through the village of Villa Lobos and only a 30 minute drive from Multi Plaza in Panama City. It’s Equestrian Academy was a dream of the owners to offer International Class Show Jumping in Panama and this year the dream was fulfilled when it played host to a major international show with horses and riders from across Central and South America.
Like most horse shows it was also a social event providing opportunities to meet other residents and visitors at the evening festivities following the jumping.
Castilla Del Oro has 125 stalls, paddocks, an Olympic sized arena and arenas for instruction, exercising and warm up. It also has a restaurant, VIP Lounge and viewing area for guests.
Club Equestrian Metropolitan (CEM) in Clayton is within Panama’s city limits and provides over 200 stalls and a large competition arena where show jumping events are held regularly.
CEM is a great place visit horses stabled there and talk to the many bi-lingual instructors. Maybe you will catch the riding bug. It’s never too late to start. Instruction is available for dressage, hunter pleasure and, for the enthusiast with a competitive urge, show jumping.
Riding is a wonderful sport for children. It teaches them discipline, control, and the responsibility of caring for horses. Watch how the kid that doesn't want to hang up a jacket, spends hours cleaning and polishing his or her "tack".
Watch for coming equestrian events on Newsroom and share in the fun and excitement.
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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: November 21, 2010.
