Córdoba has a very special meaning to us having staged the incredible horses, riders and dancers from Córdoba Ecuestre twice in the UK. This team are exceptional, their work ethic, passion and quality of horsemanship is absolutely inspirational and it’s always a joy to visit with them in their home.

To close their working year La Copa de Navidad sees horses and riders come from across Andalucía to compete at the prestigious Royal Stables of Córdoba to compete in Doma Vaquera and Doma Clasica. It’s the first time I have seen a full Doma Vaquera competition so yet another special moment in this journey across Andalucía with a sublime backdrop. Layers upon layers of learning are needed to do this work justice but I’m feeling more and more grounded in the creative process of this huge series.

VIEW THE IMAGES HERE

The Royal Stables of Córdoba

Founded in 1570 by Felipe II by Royal Decree this is one of the very oldest equestrian institutions in the World.  From here, horses and soldiers were trained for the Spanish Armada and beyond. The Royal stables are considered the birthplace of the pure bred Spanish horse as King Felipe wanted to protect and formalise the breeding of the horses.  Still today horses are bred and trained there, and performances take place showcasing the horses and culture of Spain.  These run 3 or 4 times a week all year around, and set in the grounds of the stables it is a truly beautiful backdrop to see the very finest classical horsemanship and authentic Flamenco.

The Royal Stables also host a variety of events all year round – Morphology competitions, driving competitions and more.  The buildings are truly spectacular, heavily influenced by Muslim and military style.  If you find yourself in Andalusia, a visit to the Stables in one of Spain’s most ancient cities is an absolute must. The Feria de Córdoba takes place at the end of May

To be in La Linea for this huge procession, a National holiday in Spain on the 8th December was extremely special for us. It is both solemn and celebratory, the sweet incense is soul stirring, the community feel so united, full of love and the pride of Andalucía. Accompanied by the Municipal band it resonates deeply as the parade makes its way through the town. I’t’s deeply religious, but something so potent I think it has an impact whatever your personal views. Fireworks marked the entrance of the deity into the town square, and all lit up for Christmas this is a uniquely festive event.

We have so much love for La Linea – it’s Paco’s home town, my mum and dad fell in love here and in Gibraltar (where my brother was conceived), and it’s also the first place I ever came to in Spain 30 years ago (by chance not because of the family story). As such, this is very much base camp, and my own Lusitano mare is kept just down the road at Guadacorte at the incredible Club of Natural Equitacion – a true natural paradise for horses.

I hope you enjoy these photos, high resolution can be ordered via the link below

https://www.fleurchurchill.com/p/73457rhv/la-linea-dia-de-la-inmaculada-concepcion

Sometimes life is a just a dream.

It was an absolute honour and privilege to have had a private tour at the weekend at the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre photographing for the Andalucía – Equuscapes fine art series. We had the best seats in the house in VIP for the Espectáculo, and before it was opened, were taken around the Palace, stables, carriage museum and tack room.

The featured image above is a quick snap from my iphone back stage in the interval a full set of photographs will follow later with some remaining exclusive until the publication of the final fine art lay flat book for publication in 2027. It never ceases to amaze me that sometimes an iPhone can deliver such a striking image, I am travelling with three proper cameras, two of which are super high end, (plus dash cam, body cam and vintage film), but there is something about the way an iPhone sees the world. It has been cropped and edited, and would not be suitable for a large print, but for online, it certainly makes a statement!

The team at the school were incredibly warm and welcoming and so generous with their time, knowledge and passion for the special place they are so rightfully proud of. My gratitude for this experience is immeasurable, unsurprisingly I cried a few tears – it’s hard to take something so precious in. It was an incredibly life affirming moment especially after all that has gone before it promoting the Iberian horse in the UK, and intense personal life challenges over the past three years.

Jerez at Christmas is a joy, the people so warm and welcoming, the atmosphere something I’ve never experienced. Flamenco, fires, singing, drums, tambourines, lit up palm trees, epic nativity scenes, the smoke of the chestnuts, the sweetness of the sherry, the happiness of the Spanish people, all going on into the early hours – absolutely exquisite and heart warming.

It did bring to mind the joy of May Day at Padstow, that same coming together of a community celebrating life itself. It is always incredible to see young and old, together as one.

The Andalucía series is about the horses of course, however documenting the people and culture alongside the horses is central to the vision of the final piece, and integral to learning as much as possible about the essence, the duende of the place. Photographing people and love and life is something I’ve always done since I was a young girl, and that passion has never waned. In Jerez, people were so happy and proud to be photographed and it created a lovely set of photos. A group of young people even circled me and sang a song because they loved their moment so much – I’ve never been sung a song before – only in Andalucía!

Full set of images from Jerez – https://www.fleurchurchill.com/p/68798gdv/jerez-de-la-frontera-christmas-2025

It is said you should do something every day that scares you. The drive up the mountain to Medina Sidonia was definitely up there but so worth it for the view, it reminded me of the road from Jimena de la Frontera to Ronda which is similarly steep and challenging. Thankfully Paco is an advanced and very confident driver, and the VW Crafter always soaks up the challenge. Paco says it is a dream to drive.

We parked up in a slightly sloping car park, some vanners are very particular about this for various reasons, some to do with health for example. But for us we don’t mind, and we definitely don’t mind when we are rewarded with a view that was out of this world. It was right beside the town, just a few minutes walk, but all around we could see rolling hills in every direction, classic Andalucían white washed walls, and the sunset was spectacular.

Medina Sedonia is one of the oldest cities in the World, and without doubt one of the most beautiful towns I have ever seen. The history and tradition literally seeps out of every corner and crevice. The town centre has the most beautiful Christmas decorations which we look forward to seeing at night next week.

This was a first visit to Medina Sedonia for some test shots at Yeguada Manuel Salguero – the home of many beautiful Spanish horses. We are very much looking forward to returning next week for sunrise images with the mares and foals.

Medina Sedonia recommended motorhome parking is 13 Calle Alcalá – it’s on the left as you go into town.

My first ever Feira de Golegã wasn’t quite as I dreamed it, but after waiting many years, finally, I made it. We had two fantastic days of soaking it all in, and the horses, well, what is there to say about the Lusitano that hasn’t already been said. The national horse of Portugal has filled my heart for over 20 years now. It took me a decade to be in a position to buy my own Lusitano after I first saw a little bay horse called Quiebro, and my mare Estalinha Cedros has been in my life for 12 years.

After 48hrs of incredible emotion, Storm Claudia hit. Vanlife is incredible, but very challenging when you have to cross the Iberian Peninsula in severe conditions. On night one, after a wonderful evening at the Feira, we lay watching thunderbolts through the roof light. In the morning, we basically found ourselves in a river so had to move on.

We bolted for safety hoping to sit it out and return, but conditions worsened across the entire Peninsula, events at the Feira were cancelled or moved indoors with limited seating and we had several timelines to hit before reaching SICAB on the following Wednesday. Rain isn’t exactly ideal for testing new photographic equipment, and while it’s important to be pragmatic, with great sadness we set sail back to Andalucía.

Driving conditions were terrifying, and I cried more than once. Thankfully Paco is an advanced and very brave driver, and the VW camper handles like a dream. Through lighting storms, biblical rain, aquaplaning, rivers over roads, cars on crash barriers and debris everywhere, we made it safely back to Andalućia. Stopping in Huelva for rest, we reached Jerez just in time for International Flamenco Day.

Being Portugal it’s not part of the official fine art series covering Andalucía, but perhaps in 2027 we may begin again in Portugal, time will tell. It was my first proper opportunity to start playing with the two new cameras, a little overhwhelming and I need more time, but here’s a full set of pictures here.

FULL SET OF IMAGES

https://www.fleurchurchill.com/p/87552dws/feira-de-golega-2025

RELATED SOCIAL VIDEOS (more dash cam footage still to come)

Living on the edge – this driver had a VERY lucky escape on the outskirts of Portugal

Road flooding going into Huelva during Storm Claudia