If anyone can say "been there, done that" then it’s Paul Coudenys!

 

Paul, born in Flanders Belgium, was once in his previous life a farrier. At age 21, he traveled backpacking around the globe, 3 years later and with a luggage full of travel and riding experiences he returned to Belgium. During his "long journey", he worked as a blacksmith shoeing horses at the polo club in Singapore, as a blacksmith and cowboy at a cattle station in Australia, as a Gaucho in South America and as a rider in too many places and countries to mention.

 

In 1996 he founded “Hippo-Trek” and became one of the pioneers of worldwide riding holidays in Europe. Paul rode horses in 61 different countries and is perhaps one of the most experienced trail riders in the world. Loving the great horse culture and hospitality in Latin America Paul decided to move to Brazil in 2010. He lives in the southern state of Santa Catarina, home of the South American gaucho (cowboy).

 

After years of experience in organizing and guiding equestrian holidays and riding expeditions around the world, he now only concentrates on trail rides and equestrian tourism in Latin America. He is guiding all the riding trips himself and assures you participating at the best horse treks in Latin America.

 

Paul is also co-founder and president of ALATCE; "Asociación Latinoamericana de Turismo y Cultura Ecuestre". (Latin American Association of Equestrian Tourism and Culture)
He speaks 6 languages, loves humor and life, is a very social person and knows like no other how to take you on a ride on the wild side!

Born in the saddle and born to be wild; that's how we could describe Simón in 2 short sentences!n.

 

Simón was born and raised in rural Colombia and has been passionate about horses since childhood. Turning his hobby into a profession he did by being apprenticed to the best horse people in the world. He took national and international courses, from Farriery, to Carriage Driving, Saddlery, Equine Therapy, Equestrian Center Management and First Aid Provider, to Natural Horsemanship internships with Monty Roberts & horse trainers such as Polito Ulloa.

 

He travelled in North, Central and South America on horseback and visited Europe, Africa and Asia

 

In addition, Simón has been working as a guide on multi-day trail rides and equestrian expeditions for years now. Taking care of his horses and riding guests, he guides like no other, is very social & helpful and does everything with a smile. He speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese.

 

Adventure is his second nature; In 2017 Simón was part of Caroline Casey’s project “Valuable”. An expedition on horseback and mules where they rode from the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena to the capital Bogota. A 1000km trip in the saddle in 30 days, dedicated to people with disabilities.

 

 But his hunger for adventure didn't stop there. In January 2021, midst the pandemic period, he started a new big adventure; an adventure that he now remembers as, “the university of life”.  

 

1 man, 2 mules, 5 countries, 8000 Km, 365 days and as many adventures. Simon left his native Colombia with his mules for a huge solo adventure. After crossing the Andes mountains, deserts, jungles and defying all climates, exactly one year later Simon and his mules reached Jesus Maria in Argentina , the finish line of his expedition. ( https://5tierras.com.co/ ).

Today Simón is a guide, organizer and partner of Entre Orejas. A partner with new ideas, a lot of passion and enthusiasm that results in new amazing Entre Orejas rides and great new destinations.

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Chalas is originally from Bogota. Years ago he chucked his career as a lawyer and returned to his first love; horses.
 

Horses and everything around the equine culture is his passion. He is a man that loves the pure and simple things in life. Coming from a family of great equestrian tradition he is the ideal riding guide on our trail rides.

 

From day one you will notice that Chalas is a waterfall of words (no supprice he once was a lawyer), talks to everybody, has fun all the time and is at his best when in the saddle.  He has been guiding on the most extreem riding expeditions all over the Americas as well as on Trail rides and riding safaris in Africa, Asia and Europe.

 

He speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese.

 

In 2017 Chalas was part of Caroline Casey’s project “Valuable”. An expedition on horseback and mules where they rode from the Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena to the Colombian capital Bogota. A 1000km trip in the saddle in 30 days, dedicated to people with disabilities.

 

In 2015 he created ValleVerde horse riding Colombia and soon forged partnership with Entre Orejas.

 

His hobby is to explore all corners of Colombia on horseback, as well as to create new rides in countries where an interesting equestrian culture and breathtaking landscapes are present.

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Chalas is a man driven by passion, a great horseman and therefor the best deal to have him on one of your Entre Orejas riding holidays.

If Janaina is originally from the central Brazilian state of Minas Gerais and moved in 2014 to the south of Brazil. She does not only like horses but loves all animals!  Nature and trail rides are her passion.

 

She is very funny, a good talker and a very social person. Janaina is a woman of action, has travel experience in Europe and Latin America, speaks Portuguese and Spanish and is our sales & reservation manager for the Brazilian riders.