Women On Horse Back
by Gaby García |
Last year I joined this expedition. My introduction to this group of women horse riders was purely coincidental, since my interest in horseback riding tends to increase and decrease at times. But the memories of the previous year made it more and more attractive: three days across the Sierra Madres with a small group of women traveling from Puerto Vallarta into San Sebastian and ending at Hacienda Jalisco. At first, I was quite worried about my physical ability to ride an unfamiliar horse for two whole days; my right knee tends to be very tricky from time to time. The group, however, assured me that I would ride at my own pace. If I were to get tired, they would stop so I could rest and I would be able to stretch my legs whenever I chose. With those assurances, I was able to convince myself and, without further doubts, I joined the group. Having successfully completed the aforementioned journey the prior year, I wish to invite those women who enjoy horseback riding to join this group, since this year they are expanding and welcoming all women to join them for the first time.
The initial stretch is a continuous uphill climb over two hours long, which takes us through a canopy of oaks, sapodilla, Russian olive trees and others whose names escape me. The ferns, fig trees, bromeliads and orchids will accompany us throughout the first phase of this journey, with dragonflies, macaws and blue hummingbirds dominating the horizon. At the summit of the mountain, our first stop, Beto’s humble home is located. They will offer us sweet limes and guavas from their orchards, and if we are ever so lucky we might just get to experience the birth of a colt or a calf, like we did the previous year. The first night we’ll arrive around six at the village of “Potrero de Mulas,” where a small ecological hotel named “La Bulera” is located. Fresh, hot handmade tortillas, beans and “carne con chile” (a spicy beef stew) await us there. They have boarding stables, so our quadrupeds will also be well taken care of. We’ll start off very early in the morning. The journey will take us through a conifer forest covering small plateaus and valleys, continuously crossing sparkling creeks and small brooks. We will pass through small villages whose adobe architecture is very typical of our state, a beacon that San Sebastían is nearby. It will not be until late evening that we arrive at “Hacienda Jalisco,” the best hotel in the region, where a gourmet dinner awaits along with a warm fire to banish the cold. The trip is either three or six days, depending on your choice. Women on Horseback |
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