Estancia Buena Vista: equestrian tourism on the Argentinean coast

The Argentine coastline is an area of great natural beauty, with varied landscapes including rivers, streams, forests and open fields. Horse riding in this region allows tourists to enjoy this beauty and explore places that cannot be accessed by motorized vehicles.

At the southern end of the Province of Corrientes, on the banks of the majestic Paraná River, lies the beautiful town of Esquina.

The history of this coastal town would not be complete without mentioning the undertaking developed by the Liebig-Röhner family in the 1990s, when they restored an old 1880s building to transform it into a ranch. Today it welcomes hundreds of Argentine and foreign visitors from all over the world.

This Swiss-German family, in charge of managing the land since 1920, has been a pioneer in equestrian tourism in the region and took up the challenge with great courage.

Klaus Liebig, third generation of the family, together with his wife Gloria Rosado, their children Bastián and Lisa, and a team of workers who carry out their work with love and dedication, are proud to make every guest who passes through the gates of Estancia Buena Vista feel at home.

In this interview, we will learn more about the horseback riding tours offered by Estancia Buena Vista.

The Buena Vista Ranch

How did the idea of horse riding trips come about?

Ever since my parents started the rural tourism business, we have always focused on horse riding trips.

The unique experience of riding through incredible places, large expanses of the authentic Argentine Pampa, of working alongside the gauchos of the Estancia in the herding, in the health care, vaccination, branding. This is what the foreign guest is looking for, they want the freedom to ride on an authentic Estancia in the middle of cattle production.

Also, as we have Estancias with similar characteristics near Buena Vista, we organize horseback rides between Estancias lasting 2 to 3 days. These horseback rides are very good because the guests also learn how people work in the area, which enhances the gaucho traditions.

**What is the message or family legacy that you want to convey to tourists?**

What we always say is that we want them to feel at home, like they're visiting their cousins, we make them feel like we've known them for a long time.

We want to transmit to them the passion that we have for the Correntina tradition, the beliefs of the Argentine countryside, the history of the gauchos, the idiosyncrasies of the gaucho, the respect that we have for them.

What other aspects of Argentinean country life and culture can be discovered during your horse rides?

As I said before, we have a lot of respect for the gaucho culture in Corrientes and Argentina. You can see everything, what they are like as people, their dress, their customs, their generosity, their desire to share their things with guests, their music (we always end up with a chamamé group), their simple but very local cuisine.

The horses of the Estancia

How do you select the horses that are used for the horse rides at Estancia Buena Vista?

We select the horses according to their health, they always have to be well fed and look good.

Then we look at the shape of the rump, the withers so that they don't get hurt when riding for several hours, how gentle they are, if they have any bad habits, how they walk, how they gallop.

What breed of horse do you use on the ranch?

The breed we have the most is the Criolla, but we also have some thoroughbreds.

How do you look after and train the horses so that they are ready for the rides? What kind of food and healthcare do the horses receive?

I will answer these two questions.

The health of our horses is fundamental for us. Nico, our stableman, together with Miguel, our hoof keeper, take proper care of our horses so that they are fit for our guests. We have our own vet who comes when we see that something is wrong or to follow our health plan of vaccination and deworming.

The horses are fed natural feed but when they are out and about with guests we have bales of alfalfa.

For training we have a round pen to correct the horses' movements if necessary.

How do you make sure that both horses and riders are safe during the rides?

First we look at what I said in the previous point, the right horse for the right rider, we make sure that the saddles, the stirrups, the bridle are all correct.

We have helmets available in case they didn't bring their own.

We check the weather, if it's very windy, if a storm is coming, if it's very hot. We always carry water to stay hydrated and we plan to carry a basic first aid kit.

It also depends on the group, there are 1, 2 or 3 gauchos accompanying the outing.

Horse riding routes at Estancia Buena Vista

Is previous riding experience required to participate in a horse ride?

We have horses of different levels of tameness, from someone who has never been on a horse, to guests who ride very little, to those who are really very good.

On the first day, we always ask a couple of questions to find out their level and assign a horse. We also find out straight away if they lied to us in the previous chat by seeing how they get on the horse, how they feel on it, how they brake, how they turn, etc.

What I mean is that we give the right horse to the right rider. They can also change horses from one day to the next if they need to.

What recommendations would you give to visitors who want to take part in a cavalcade for the first time? Is there any equipment they should bring?

That they come prepared to live a unique experience, full of emotions. Willing to learn about a great culture with its living history. That they want to venture out and try our gastronomy.

Regarding equipment, that they bring a helmet, suitable clothing for riding, a camera or cell phone, Off (we have it to provide), sunscreen.

That they let us know if they have any food or other restrictions.

Is there a weight or height limit for riders who want to participate in the horseback rides?

We have no height or weight limit for riders. We have the right horses.

What are the most outstanding landscapes that can be enjoyed during the trips? There are several outstanding landscapes.

When we go to the side of the Corriente River, we pass by an old cemetery from 1850, a hill with several trails and when we reach the river we go along some totally unspoiled and very beautiful beaches.

On the other side, when we go horse riding to Estero Pucu, we pass by lagoons.

In our Estero we make 2 very interesting crossings on horseback, we pass through mountains and our pine and eucalyptus forest.

When we ride between Estancias we pass through the same landscapes and we pass the corrals where the gauchos live.

What other programs or activities are offered during the stay to complement the horseback riding experience?

We offer trips on our Pucu estuary on board our boat where you can see alligators, capybaras and many native birds.

On our Corriente River there is a trip to see other types of flora and fauna (otters, river wolves, different birds).

We have options that are not included in the original price, but they can be included in the package such as:

• Fishing service, on board with a professional guide where you will fish in the Paraná and Corriente rivers for different fish such as Dorado, Surubí, Pacú and Bogue.
• Massage service.
• Spanish classes.
• Yoga day.
• Tango classes.
• Chamamé classes.

What has been the most memorable or exciting experience a visitor has had during a horse ride at Estancia Buena Vista?

We've had several.

Guests who come to Buena Vista not knowing how to ride and end up doing it very well is a nice recognition.

Families with children who start crying when they leave because they want to stay for much longer.

Foreigners who leave delighted with our culture, or tell us that it is a natural paradise or when they tell us that it is the best part of their stay in Argentina.

These are several acknowledgements that really make us want to continue.

Equestrian Tourism Find in Argentina

How has equestrian tourism evolved in recent years? Have you noticed an increase in demand from tourists?

It has evolved a lot. Riders want to have a great time, they want to have adventures, but with good services.

We have noticed a greater demand from guests, given that after the pandemic people want and enjoy the outdoors, nature and the simplicity of life much more.

Have you ever ridden a Peruvian Paso horse? What comments can you give us about this breed?

Unfortunately, I have never ridden a Peruvian Paso horse. I think it is a very colorful breed and one that is growing in popularity.

And the most important question: Why should riders choose you?

Because we really do it with passion.

We show ourselves as we really are as a family. Most of the children, if they don't go to school, take part in the horse rides. My wife is involved in all the details. She really enjoys cooking and showing off our culinary art.

As it is a fully functioning cattle ranch, the activities are real, everything is real and authentic.

Acknowledgements

Thank you very much for having done the interview with Ampascachi.

We hope that Buena Vista will have many visitors, as the Argentine Littoral is one of the regions that treasures places that impress with their fascinating natural beauty. Many of these places are extremely important for the planet and the balanced development of the ecosystem.