Finding ‘The Place’ For A Tropical Horse Girls’ Getaway

a Western saddle. My horse a gray stunner is eagerly responsive to cues and I spend a few moments asking for circles to move forward to stop. I dont have all his buttons figured out but we establish a morethanadequate working relationship by the time we head out across the campo.
My horse moves unlike any horse Ive ridden before and its thrilling. Bred to move with action the Costarricense de PasoCosta Rican Pasois the national horse of Costa Rica. In the same way El Lugar offers luxury and authenticity the Costarricense breed combines work ethic and elegance. Whether crossing lush rolling pasture climbing steep jungle trails or forging through chestdeep river waters my horse moves willingly forward. He is all heart in a dreamhorse package of good looks undersaddle pleasure and workhorse mentality.
Alex leading the riders across the suspension bridge.
On our ride we are accompanied by equally impressive horsemen our guides. The lead wrangler manages the 100horse herd at El Encanto. Hes gracious with my poor attempts at conversational Spanish but regardless of linguistic preferences its clear as day that he speaks horse better than most so I watch him for clues. As is the case with master equestrians his body language reveals little but he offers a deep well of calm confidence which I value greatly as we cross a long and narrow steel footbridge high above the river. When we reach the security of firm ground again he flashes a big smile proud of his horse and this rider both.
El Lugar also employs Alex their fulltime naturalist and he is an invaluable resource on our ride. Alex brings the magic of El Lugar to light. All around us the farm and the surrounding jungle is teeming with life but without Alexs keen eye most of it would have gone unnoticed by me and Katie. With his help we spy several types of Toucans and other avian treasures learn about the Braulio Carillo National Park which shares its border with El Lugar and discover what it is to be enchanted by the pure scent of a freshly picked Ylang Ylang flower.
The place in our horsegirl hearts
Katie and I have since returned homeshe to Colorado me to Montanato our families and our work and there are days when Costa Rica feels a world apart but not El Encanto. The experience of mounting up and riding out the thrill of riding
a new kind of horse through a Jurassiclike junglescape the awe of witnessing a world previously unknown that we carry with us.
We left the States excited but also a little fearful. We left El Lugar well fed and well restedmind body and spirit nourished in ways we never anticipated. Now when we talk of returning to ride with El Encanto we know well leave home with the same calm confidence our wrangler had in the saddle. Because El Lugar is the place for us.