The Guides:
Want to know who we are?...With whom you book this trip?...Who are the travel guides?... Below a brief introduction to our “Gaúcho do Brasil” team.
Paul Coudenys
1966
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 travelled 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 53 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!
Simón Vergara Gutierrez
1998
Born in the saddle and born to be wild; that's how we could describe Simón in 2 short sentences!
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.
Today Simon is preparing for a new big adventure; an adventure that he probably later might remember as, “the university of life”. Simón will leave in January 2021, following the footsteps of the Incas, for a 500-days – 8.000 km journey with his mules from Colombia via Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, all the way to Argentina. You can follow his “5 Tierras” adventure and preparations on http://5tierras.com.co/
Simón’s new ideas, passion and enthusiasm resulted in new Entre Orejas rides at great new destinations.
Dona Rita
1965
Charming Dona Rita is owner of huge cattle farm on the banks of the Vazantedo Castelo. She and her family is the third generation on the farm in the middle of the biggest wetlands in the world.
Dona Rita loves to be involved in the rides; organizing tours, the wilderness camp and the cooking. Rita and her husband Doio love to have a chat with all guests during dinner...be prepared to hear amazing wilderness stories!