Why see the dancing horses
Why see the dancing horses
A ballet, not a demonstration
"Cómo Bailan los Caballos Andaluces" is a genuine equestrian ballet — a choreographed sequence set to Spanish music, not a training exhibition. Pure-bred Andalusian horses and their riders move through classical dressage and doma vaquera figures with the kind of precision that takes years to build, inside the Royal School's own purpose-built arena.
The horse that defined an equestrian tradition
The pure-bred Spanish horse — the PRE, often called the Andalusian — has shaped European classical riding for centuries. Watching them perform in Jerez, the region where the breed and the doma vaquera herding style both developed, connects the show to a much longer story than a single evening's programme.
Costume, choreography and craft
Riders in traditional 18th-century-style dress guide the horses through tightly synchronised movements — collected paces, changes of direction, and passages performed as a group. It is as much a study in choreography and horsemanship as it is a spectacle, and it rewards a good seat close to the arena.
The performance programme
The performance programme
"How the Andalusian Horses Dance" is staged as a continuous equestrian ballet, built from a sequence of choreographed movements. Running order can vary by season, but the show typically unfolds like this over about ninety minutes.
- Movement I
Entrance of the riders
The company enters the arena in traditional 18th-century-style dress, mounted on pure-bred Andalusian horses, opening the programme with a formal procession to live Spanish music.
- Movement II
Classical dressage
Individual and paired riders perform classical dressage figures — collected walk, trot and canter, pirouettes and changes of direction — showing the precision the School's training builds over years.
- Movement III
Doma vaquera
The programme turns to doma vaquera, the traditional Andalusian riding style developed for working cattle in the countryside around Jerez — quicker, closer-worked movements that show a different side of the horses' training.
- Movement IV
The pas de deux and quadrilles
Pairs and small groups of horses move through mirrored and interlocking figures in time with one another and the music — the closest the programme comes to dance in the literal sense, and usually its visual high point.
- Movement V
The full company finale
The full company of horses and riders returns to the arena for a closing sequence performed together, bringing the ballet's separate movements back into a single choreographed whole before the final bow.
The School & getting there
The School & getting there
The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art sits just north of central Jerez de la Frontera — here's what to know about the venue and reaching it.
A working riding school, not just a venue
The Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre trains horses and riders on site year-round; the performance is the public face of that ongoing training. Many tickets also include access to the grounds, stables areas and the School's museums, so allow time before or after the show.
Jerez de la Frontera, sherry and horse country
Jerez is the historic centre of Andalusian horse breeding and the sherry trade, a compact city easy to explore on foot. The School sits a short walk or taxi ride from the old town, making the show an easy half-day addition to a Jerez visit.
Select days, not every day
Performances run on select days each week — typically midweek and seasonal, rather than a daily fixture — so check the exact calendar on the listing for your travel dates before planning the rest of the day around it.
Photography and what to expect inside
Photography during the performance itself is usually not permitted, so plan to watch rather than film. The arena is a formal indoor/covered venue with tiered seating; arrive with time to find your seat and settle in before the programme starts.
The Royal Andalusian School, in pictures
The Royal Andalusian School, in pictures
The horses, the arena and the city of Jerez de la Frontera the show sits within.
Ticket options & what's included
Ticket options & what's included
| Option | What it includes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard performance ticket | A seat for "How the Andalusian Horses Dance", roughly 90 minutes | The straightforward way to see the show |
| Performance + grounds/museums | The show plus access to the School's grounds and museum areas | Worth it if you're making a half-day of the visit |
| Premium seating | A seat closer to the arena for a clearer view of the choreography | Sells out first — book early for a good vantage point |
| Training session visit (where offered) | A separate visit to watch the horses training, not the full ballet | A different, more casual experience from the performance |
Ways to book the equestrian ballet
Find a seat for your dates in Jerez
Each option below books through GetYourGuide with live availability, and the final price shows in your own currency before you pay.
Planning your visit
Planning your visit
Check the calendar before you plan the day
The show runs on select days each week, typically midweek and seasonal rather than daily. Confirm your date on the listing first, then build the rest of your Jerez day — or your whole itinerary — around it, since the performance won't be running every day you're in town.
Book ahead for a good seat
"How the Andalusian Horses Dance" is Jerez's best-known show and seats — especially the closer, premium rows — sell out well in advance, particularly in the busy spring season. Reserve early rather than hoping to buy at the door.
Arrive early and leave the camera off during the show
Give yourself time to find your seat and settle in before the programme starts, and expect photography to be restricted once the performance begins. If your ticket includes the grounds or museums, that's the better time to take photos.
Make it a half-day in Jerez
Pair the performance with a walk through Jerez de la Frontera's old town, a sherry bodega visit, or the grounds and museum areas if your ticket includes them — the School sits close enough to the centre to combine easily with the rest of a Jerez day.
Booking flexibility
The GetYourGuide listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before and often reserve-now-pay-later, so you can hold a seat and adjust your plans. The exact terms and what's included are shown before you confirm.
Planning a visit to the Royal School
Planning a visit to the Royal School
FAQ
"How the Andalusian Horses Dance" — your questions
What is "How the Andalusian Horses Dance"?
It's "Cómo Bailan los Caballos Andaluces", an equestrian ballet performed by the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre) in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Pure-bred Andalusian horses and their riders, in traditional 18th-century-style dress, perform choreographed classical dressage and doma vaquera set to Spanish music, over about ninety minutes.
Is this the same as watching the horses train?
No. This is the full choreographed performance, staged on select days each week. The School separately offers training-session visits on other days at some times of year, which are a more casual, unscripted experience — check the listing to be sure which one you're booking.
Which days does the show run?
Performances run on select days each week — typically midweek — and the schedule is seasonal, so it isn't a daily show. Always check the live calendar on the listing for your travel dates before finalising your plans, since exact days can change through the year.
How long does it last and what's included?
The performance runs roughly ninety minutes. Many tickets also include access to the School's grounds, stable areas and museums, either before or after the show — check the specific listing to see what your ticket covers.
Can I take photos during the show?
Photography during the performance itself is usually not permitted, so plan to watch rather than film once it begins. If your ticket includes the grounds or museum areas, those are generally a better opportunity for photos.
How far ahead should I book?
Book as early as you can. This is Jerez's signature show, performance days are limited each week, and the closer premium seats in particular sell out well ahead, especially during the busy spring equestrian season. Free cancellation means an early booking doesn't lock you in.
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes. The GetYourGuide listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the performance and often a reserve-now-pay-later option, so you can hold a seat and adjust your plans. The exact terms are shown on the listing before you confirm.
Not sure which performance date, or where to sit?
Leave your email and roughly when you're travelling — we'll send a short rundown of how the show is staged, how far ahead it sells out, and what a good seat looks like.