A Night of Horses and Flamenco

Friday night of the Ferias y Fiestas in Camarma de Esteruelas was a special experience for me and my family. The town came together for El Arte de Andalucía a Caballo by Carmelo Cuevas, a show that brought together Andalusian horsemanship and flamenco dancing.

I had shown up a little early with my cameras so we could get good seats. While I was waiting, one of the workers noticed me and invited me down into the safety zone of the ring to take photos. That completely changed the night for me. Instead of just watching from the stands, I was right there in the middle of the action.

The show lasted about an hour and a half and featured six horses and their trainers. They performed all kinds of tricks that showed off both skill and discipline. What impressed me was how in sync the trainers and horses were the whole time.

Throughout the evening, an older woman came out three different times to perform flamenco. Her presence and style added a whole other layer to the show. The crowd clapped along, cheering both the horses and the dancer, and the energy of the plaza was contagious.

Being in the ring with my camera gave me the chance to capture it all—the movement of the horses, the concentration of the trainers, the power of the flamenco, and the joy of the families filling the stands.

What I’ll remember most, though, is the atmosphere. It was festive, family-friendly, and felt deeply rooted in Spanish tradition. Even if I don’t know much about horses, I could tell this performance was something unique, something that connected culture, art, and community all in one place.

Nights like this are about so much more than just entertainment. For our family, being present at community celebrations is a vital part of our life and ministry here. It’s where we stop being visitors and start becoming neighbors. It’s a chance to share in the culture, build relationships naturally, and open doors for future conversations. Every local tradition we get to be a part of is an opportunity to show God's love in a real and tangible way.