Arrested for bursting into a Jimena feria marquee on horseback; breaks Guardia's wrist

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JIMENA  A man - well-known in Jimena for being a trouble-maker - was arrested at last week-end's feria after bursting into one of the marquees (caseta) on horseback. He is accused of public disorder and endangering the public, among other things, including breaking the wrist of one of the Guardia Civils in the process of arresting him. According to reports, the man had been bothering everybody, riders and public alike, when he was drinking on foot inside the caseta. He then went out, mounted and drove his panicking horse inside, thus endangering everyone present. When the Guardia came onto the scene, he began insulting and threatening them. He allegedly managed to get a rein around one of the Guardias and pulled on it, breaking his wrist. He was finally restrained and led away. He is now 'at the disposal of the courts'.

Wandering horse ignored

JIMENA This horse (could be a mare, we didn't look) was wandering 'downtown' Jimena this morning. The Local Police and the Guardia both passed, may not have seen it - but if they did, they ignored it. He or she was evidently hungry, as many such animals are with the drought, and was photographed desperately eating up clumps of lovely juicy grass right by Restaurante Cuenca. A loose horse is dangerous not only for passers-by but also for the animal itself.

Fires in Spain: animals also suffer, but be careful with the appeals

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SPAIN /Marbella The fires that have raged throughout Spain this summer have impacted not only the people who have died in them, the injured and their families, and many homes, but also the animals in their vicinity. Wild or domestic, they will surely have suffered enormously. To bring this awareness closer to home, the fire that swept through the Marbella area over the weekend, caused the death of over 75 domestic pets, according to one source. Where these figures come from, we don't know, as the authorities rarely if ever give out anything related to animals in such cases. In any case, a number of Facebook and other appeals are under way. We are trying to locate the genuine ones and will publish them as soon as we can, but please be aware that scam artists are also looking for your money. (Watch this space, but if you have any information on genuine appeals, please let us know!)

'I have to have that pony!'

TESORILLO & SOTOGRANDE He is grey haired, stands up on order and loves his job. Children adore him, and he them (at least we think that's what his nibbling means!). He is a short little fellow who has found a permanent home, after living at eight different places over the last eight years. His life hasn't been easy, though not as bad as too many of his kind. He is definitely a puller. His owner, Lavanya, tells us that Rambo first caught her eye some four years ago, when she was doing some work on a private stud farm near Jimena. One of the local people had bought him for his younger brother, who would drive the pony up and down the dirt track in front of the farm she was working on. "He was so eye catching, this minature stallion," says Lavanya. "He would sometimes be cheeky and stubborn with the young boy and root himself to the spot. I loved him from the moment I saw him and joked with friends about how 'I need that pony'." But one day, the pony had gone, disappeared into thin air. Never saw him again. Until ... >>>

II Spirit of the Wind horse 'raid' starts this afternoon

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CASARES The second edition of the Raid Hípico Espíritu del Viento is scheduled for this weekend. This is a race that values the state of the horse at the finish line, than the time it takes to get there. Some 30 riders are expected to turn up on Saturday morning for the race. But the event also has a series of parallel activities, too. The weekend begins this evening at the Casa Natal Blas Infante with a chat from the organizers, plus another by a veterinary podologist (a 'hoof man') starting at 5pm - as well as a riding fashion show that begins at 7pm. You can get more info by calling the numbers on the poster.

More on Triguera Negra, or poisonous grass, the animal killer

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(Photo: Paula Creaghan-Smith)

There seems to be a measure of panic, or disease of the week syndrome, about Triguera Negra, the poisonous grass that has apparently killed several (18?) horses in the area; if your horses have been affected, panic is naturally understandable. As a result we have consulted expert horse people (who wish to remain anonymous) and are told that this is nothing new. They attribute the panic created to the fact that the grass itself, which is indistinguishable from most normal grasses to the naked eye, is rare further downhill than La Hoya; most previous cases, such as those in the early 1990s have been during droughts. We are also told that danger arises when it rains because the horse pulls out the roots, which contain cyanide, an instant killer in sufficient dosage.  But it hasn't rained! we hear you say. True, but>>>

Gourmet riding, or having a great time on horseback

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JIMENA / S.M. del Tesorillo We came across this from our Facebook friend Emma-Jane Lees. It is she who is in the photo that appeared in the Travel section of yesterday's Times (we tried to access it directly but had forgotten that Rupert Murdoch wants our money, and since we have none ...). The article is about a forthcoming ride that is rather tweely described in the organizer's website, Riding Andalucia, as Gallops for Gourmets (we prefer the Galloping Gourmets, except it's too close an old cokkery show) that sets out for a 7-day jaunt on October 15 from their base into the mountains that surround us, stopping at Cortijo El Nobo, just outside Gaucín, for meals prepared by none other than Chef Neil Armstrong. Sounds like enormously good fun, about which you can find out more from Ride Andalucia.

Forty riders take part in inaugural ride for new company

CASTELLAR Some forty riders from Málaga and Cádiz took part last Saturday in the inaugural ride set up by a new company in town: Gestión Patrimonial Castellar GP. The ride took some ten hours around La Almoraima. Participants had a great time, as they were able to see not only the spectacular surroundings and views, but also sighted numerous wild animals typical of the area. Included was the Guadarranque reservoir, where they stopped for a rest. The event was a grand success thanks also to the management at Finca La Almoraima and Almoraima Hotel.

Jimena's first Doma Vaquera competition is scheduled for Sunday

Doma Vaquera is loosely translated as Spanish Dressage, we're told. However, the word vaquera is related to vaca, or cow, so we must assume that the kind of thing they do is linked in some manner to the way a horse is trained to deal with cattle. This is just a supposition and we would really appreciate it if someone who knows, can tell us how it differs from Dressage as we know it from the Olympics, say (we're not talking about standards here, just how it works). In any case, this year's May Fair in Jimena, features a Doma Vaquera competition, which is new. This is scheduled for Sunday at 1pm at the fairgrounds. But there's a lot more, which you can see on the full programme (presently under construction by TranslationHELP).

Peña Caballista El Estribo de Jimena's first event this season

JIMENA The Peña Caballista El Estribo (riding association) is holding a romeríathis Saturday, April 9, at the Vereda Real, leaving from the fairground in Jimena at 12noon to 1pm. It sounds like a great ride, and is open to all, members or otherwise. This is the first of several such meetings and events the Peña are planning this season. A carriage will be available throughout the ride for a free little drink, and a flamenco show is scheduled as well. Drinks and tapas will be available at the bar, served by members. (Note: Wish I had a horse!)

Los Barrios Horse Fair opens today

LOS BARRIOS This years's edition of the Salón del Caballo del Campo de Gibraltar y la Pasarela Flamenca (Los Barrios Horse Fair and Flamenco Fashion Show) got under way at noon today with the official inauguration. Some 50 exhibitor offer their wares, including harnesses, carriages, riding clothes, artwork, food and, of course, Flamenco fashion. The weekend programme encompasses various horse-related activities, including a carrera de cintas (ribbon race, at 4pm), doma vaquera (Spanish dressage, 5pm) and a horse & dancers show at 8.30pm (tickets: €15 adults and €8 children). On Sunday, there are more horsey things starting at noon, followed by a horse & carriage parade at 2pm. The Flamenco Fashion exhibition continues throughout the weekend, too.

Why horses at the Novena? See programme here

Anyone remotely interested in those (usually) tall four-legged things with long noses and fur they call horses, will know that the Novena celebrations in honour of Our Lady Queen of the Angels, patron saint of Jimena, includes a whole area, plus marquee, for them, as well as their mounts. It is run by the Peña Caballista El Estribo, a large group of local riding enthusiasts whose aim is to promote the world of horses and associated activities. Among other things, they take part in most if not all the parades around the village, have donkey and/or mule races, riding exhibitions and games and a lot more. See the El Estribo programme below, and check the Novena's FULL PROGRAMME HERE.>