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!

A true son of the Colombian plains, Felipe lives and breathes horses, wide-open landscapes, and music. He is not only a skilled horseman but also a natural showman. From long days in the saddle to training and taming young or wild horses, Felipe embodies the spirit of the llanero, the traditional cowboy of Los Llanos.

​

As a singer and songwriter, he never misses a chance to lift the mood with a song—around the campfire, in the saddle, or during long rides across new horizons.

​

Coming from Hato Santana, one of Colombia’s most iconic cattle and horse farms, Felipe grew up surrounded by authentic cowboy culture. His greatest passion is staying close to local cowboys and horsemen/women wherever he rides in the world. Defending, sharing, and promoting their traditions is what drives him.

​

Colombian by birth but a citizen of the world by heart, Felipe has guided riding groups across different continents. He speaks Spanish, English, and a charming Portuñol.

​

One thing is certain: you’ll have a hard time finding a better person to guide your riding adventure!

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.

​

From McKinsey to horseback archery — Veronica took a rather unconventional career turn!

Born and raised in China, Veronica moved to the United States to study Art History and Business at Columbia University and later worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. A successful career, a smart office, business suits and endless meetings… but there was one problem: she missed horses. A lot.

​

Horses had always been an important part of Veronica’s life. She started riding as a child in the vast landscapes around the Kazakh-Chinese border and eventually became an accomplished horseback archer. Her passion for horses soon took her far beyond the riding arena, travelling through Asia and exploring the extraordinary equestrian cultures of China and beyond.

​

From the grasslands and mountains of Xinjiang to Tibet and Inner Mongolia, Veronica has developed an impressive knowledge of the many different riding regions, horse cultures and landscapes of China. And if there is one thing she loves, it is discovering a place the best possible way: from the back of a horse.

Eventually, Veronica decided that life was simply too short to spend it behind a desk. She left the corporate world behind and headed for South America, trading presentations and business meetings for horses, open landscapes and adventure. She now lives in Brazil and has meanwhile built up extensive riding experience across South America as well.

​

Since 2026, Veronica has been part of the Entre Orejas team. She looks after our Asian groups travelling with Entre Orejas, personally accompanying them as a trip leader. She is also working with us on developing new Entre Orejas adventures in China and other parts of Asia. And then there is Veronica herself…

An excellent rider, yes — but above all, she is warm, curious, cheerful and incredibly sociable. She has a natural talent for bringing people together and is always ready to lend a hand, share a story or help make a trip even more memorable. She simply loves sharing her passion for horses, travel, cultures and adventure with others.

​

Veronica speaks Mandarin and Cantonese, as well as fluent English, and is already speaking very good Portuguese and Spanish.

​

If you are lucky enough to travel with Veronica, be prepared for plenty of horses, stories, laughter, cultural discoveries… and who knows, maybe a little horseback archery along the way!

Born in Colombia, Nicole grew up on a horse and cattle farm, where wide open landscapes and a life close to nature were simply part of everyday life. From an early age, horses became her passion and, over the years, that passion grew into an essential part of who she is.

​

Nicole studied Business Administration and went on to build a successful career in marketing, working as an executive for multinational companies. But while her weekdays were spent in the corporate world, she was always looking forward to the weekend — the moment she could put her foot in the stirrup, leave the office behind, and return to what she loved most; Horses!

​

Eventually, Nicole made a life-changing decision in Jan. 2026: she left her corporate career behind and turned her greatest passion into her profession and her way of life.

​

Since then, she has guided horseback riding adventures across Colombia and through different corners of Latin America, Africa, and Europe, discovering the world from the saddle and experiencing the unique connection between horses, people, landscapes, and cultures.

​

Nicole is not only an accomplished trail rider, but also a true all-rounder and natural problem-solver — the kind of person who can adapt to almost any situation and simply find a way forward. She is a natural organiser, a great communicator with both horses and people, and someone who is always ready to get involved and make things happen.

​

As a trail leader, she combines experience, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for sharing the adventure. She has a natural ability to connect with people, make riders feel at ease, and create a positive atmosphere wherever the trail takes her.

​

Nicole speaks Spanish, her native language, as well as fluent English, allowing her to connect easily with riders from all over the world.

​

She may be small in stature, but she is big in heart — with women power every bit as strong as horse power. Full of energy, warmth, and a great sense of humour, Nicole is the kind of person who quickly becomes part of the group.

​

And when you head out on the trail with Nicole, you don't just have a great guide beside you — you may well come home with a new friend.

​

Today, horses are no longer simply Nicole's passion. They are her profession, her lifestyle, and her way of seeing the world.

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.

​

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.

Why his parents named him Ángel remains a mystery, because while he is many things, he is certainly not an angel! What he is, however, is a warm-hearted, fun-loving Mexican-Spanish horseman with an infectious sense of humor and a passion for life.

​

Born and raised in the historic state of Guanajuato, Mexico, Ángel grew up immersed in horses, ranch life, and the traditions of the Mexican cowboy culture. At the same time, his Spanish roots kept him closely connected to the rich equestrian heritage of Spain, giving him a unique blend of two of the world's most fascinating horse cultures..

 

Horses have always been at the center of his life. His family has long been involved in the manufacturing of saddles, and Ángel himself is a respected horseman and passionate ambassador of equestrian traditions. He is also the co-founder of ALATCE (Asociación Latinoamericana de Turismo y Cultura Ecuestre), the Latin American Association of Equestrian Tourism and Culture.

 

Riding with Ángel is much more than a horseback adventure—it is a journey through the history, culture, and traditions of Mexico. Few people know the hidden corners, stories, and landscapes of Guanajuato as intimately as he does.

 

Beyond his deep connection to Mexican and Spanish culture, Ángel is an enthusiastic trail rider and explorer who has ridden extensively across the globe. Fluent in English and exceptionally skilled at connecting with riders from different backgrounds, he has become one of our most valued guides on several of our international destinations.

 

Whether around a campfire, on a remote mountain trail, or leading riders through the heart of Mexico, Ángel brings knowledge, authenticity, and a contagious enthusiasm that make every journey unforgettable. 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.