A TOP Spanish riding instructor has told how he has found some of Europe’s best horse riders – in Wellington.

Gonzalo Marques Obeso is an instructor at the prestigious Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez and has a long list of celebrity clients.

For the past 18 months he has been making monthly visits to Southey Farm Stables in Wrangway, near Wellington, where he says he has been “amazed” by the standard of West Country riders.

Gonzalo – who also teaches members of an Arab royal family – described his Somerset clients as “true horse enthusiasts.”

“In Spain many people just ride at the weekend and let someone else take care of their horses the rest of the week” he said.

“In the UK people are with their horses every day, grooming and caring for them. The standard of riding at Southey Farm is very high and the riders are always looking to improve their skills. I have seen some riders at my Southey Farm Clinics who show exceptional talent.

“I enjoy coming here because I feel I am with real horse people.”

Gonzalo met Southey Farm’s owner Zoë Paramore at the annual Spanish Horse Breed Show at Hartpury College in 2013 and accepted her invitation to teach at Southey Farm, now one of only two UK Equestrian venues where he teaches.

Last weekend, Gonzalo gave daily Doma Vaquera demonstrations and Classical riding Masterclasses at the West Country Equine Fair at Westpoint, near Exeter. Doma Vaccara is a riding style with a 4-metre long pole called a Garroca still used for cattle herding on the Spanish plains.

Gonzalo and Zoë's black Lusitano Stallion Atinado have become quite famous for this demonstration which they have performed to great acclaim at many prestigious UK Equine Shows this year.

Zoë added: “We are thrilled that Gonzalo teaches at Southey Farm considering how much he is in demand around Europe. He has riders coming from all over the West Country to have lessons with him.

“We have mainly the Classical breeds of horses here on the Yard at Southey Farm which are highly intelligent with a wonderful kind temperament. It is a real pleasure to watch them and their riders working with Gonzalo.”