International Show Jumping, Beautiful Horses & Mediterranean Sunshine
If you're looking for something a little different to do when family and friends come to visit the Gandia, Oliva and Costa Blanca North area, we have a wonderful suggestion for you...
Head to the Oliva Nova Equestrian Centre and watch some of the world's top show jumpers in action! 🐎🌴
And the timing couldn't be better because the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour – Autumn MET 2026 – gets underway on 29 September, bringing international riders and horses to Oliva for three exciting blocks of competition stretching right through to December.
Even if you're not an avid horse enthusiast, this really is a fabulous day out – and one of those attractions that makes the Oliva and Gandia area such a fantastic place to live.
🐎 WHAT IS THE MEDITERRANEAN EQUESTRIAN TOUR?
The Mediterranean Equestrian Tour – MET is one of the major international show-jumping events held at the Oliva Nova Equestrian Centre.
The centre attracts leading riders from more than 44 countries across five continents and has facilities capable of hosting official Spanish and international show jumping and dressage competitions.
The main events are the Spring MET and Autumn MET, with riders travelling from all over Europe and beyond to compete.
This isn't simply a local riding show.
It is international equestrian sport right here on the doorstep of the northern Costa Blanca. 🌎🐴
📅 AUTUMN MET 2026 – WHAT'S COMING UP?
There are three blocks of Autumn MET competition this year:
🍂 AUTUMN MET I
29 September – 18 October 2026
This is divided into three competition weeks:
🐴 29 September – 4 October
CSIYH* / CSI1* / CSI2*
🐴 6 – 11 October
CSIYH* / CSI1* / CSI3*
🐴 13 – 18 October
CSIYH* / CSI1* / CSI3*
🍁 AUTUMN MET II
27 October – 15 November 2026
🐴 27 October – 1 November
🐴 3 – 8 November
🐴 10 – 15 November
The programme again includes CSIYH, CSI1, CSI2* and CSI3*** competition.
🎄 AUTUMN MET III
24 November – 13 December 2026
🐴 24 – 29 November
🐴 1 – 6 December
🐴 8 – 13 December
So there are weeks and weeks of international equestrian action taking place as autumn turns towards winter.
And if you're a horse lover, that's an awful lot of opportunities to pop along and enjoy the atmosphere!
🏆 WHAT DOES CSI3 ACTUALLY MEAN?*
You don't need to understand all the equestrian terminology to enjoy the show, but if you see CSI3* on the programme, it means you're watching an internationally recognised level of show jumping under FEI rules.
And some of the competitions are seriously impressive.
For example, the FEI programme for the 27 October – 1 November 2026 week includes CSI2* classes with fences reaching 1.45 metres, as well as CSI1* classes and young-horse competitions.
Watching an experienced horse and rider tackle a course of substantial fences at speed, with incredible precision and timing, is quite something!
You don't have to be an expert to appreciate the skill involved. 🐎✨
☀️ SO, WHAT DOES A DAY AT MET ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?
This is where we think the MET makes such a lovely day out.
Imagine arriving at Oliva Nova, with its Mediterranean sunshine, palm trees and beautiful surroundings.
You can wander around the equestrian complex, take in the atmosphere and watch horses and riders preparing for their classes.
Then settle down and watch the action in the arena.
There is something wonderfully atmospheric about a show-jumping competition – the horses, the riders, the immaculate presentation, the anticipation before each round and that moment when horse and rider head towards the first fence...
Then they're off! 🐎💨
For anyone who enjoys photography, there are also some fabulous opportunities to capture beautiful horses in action.
And because the competition takes place over several weeks, you can make it part of a day out in Oliva, perhaps combining it with lunch, a wander around the area or a trip to the beach.
That's one of the great things about living here – there is always something else to discover.
💶 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Here's the really good news...
ENTRY IS FREE! 🎉
The published information for the Autumn MET 2026 lists the event as free admission and open to all audiences.
So you can enjoy international show jumping without having to buy an expensive ticket.
For families, that's a particularly attractive proposition.
Take the children, bring Grandma and Grandad, invite friends – and you can all enjoy something completely different together.
👨👩👧👦 IS IT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?
Absolutely!
The event is listed as open to the general public, making it suitable for people of all ages.
And we think it could be particularly lovely for children who enjoy animals.
They can watch the horses being prepared, see international riders competing and get a glimpse into a sport that they may never have experienced before.
For families with children or grandchildren visiting Spain, it's another great option to add to the ever-growing list of things to do around Gandia, Oliva and the Safor region.
🐕 CAN YOU TAKE YOUR DOG?
Yes! 🐶❤️
The official MET rules state that dogs are allowed throughout the showground, including the stable area and restaurants, but they must be kept on a lead.
So if you're one of those people who hates leaving the family dog at home, that's another bonus.
Just remember that this is a busy equestrian environment, so responsible dog ownership is important – particularly around horses and other animals.
🌴 AND LOOK WHERE IT IS!
The Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova is situated at Oliva Nova, close to the golf course and only a short distance from the Mediterranean coast.
Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova (MET)
That means a day at the MET can easily become part of a much bigger Oliva Nova day out.
Morning coffee...
🐎 International show jumping...
🍴 Lunch...
🌊 A stroll by the Mediterranean...
🏖️ Perhaps some time on the beach...
🍹 Then home for an early evening drink as the sun begins to go down.
What's not to love?
🏡 AND THIS IS WHY WE LOVE LIVING IN THIS PART OF SPAIN!
At For Sale By Sally In Spain, we often talk about the beautiful beaches, the sunshine, the mountains, the restaurants, the fiestas and the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.
But it's the little extras that can make living here so enjoyable.
Imagine having international equestrian sport practically on your doorstep.
Imagine being able to say:
"Fancy going to watch some international show jumping today?"
And within a short drive, you're there.
No long journey.
No complicated planning.
Just a wonderful day out enjoying something a little bit special.
And then, when you've had enough excitement...
the beach is still waiting! 🌊🏖️
🐴 HORSE LOVERS – THIS COULD BE YOUR PERFECT LOCATION!
For anyone who loves horses, the presence of the MET is an especially attractive feature of the area.
The centre is recognised as one of the leading facilities on the international circuit and attracts riders from around the world.
And for property buyers, this is another example of the lifestyle available around Oliva Nova, Oliva, Gandia and the wider Costa Blanca North.
You don't have to live in a tourist resort to enjoy an incredible choice of activities.
You can have:
🏖️ Beautiful sandy beaches
🐎 International equestrian competitions
⛳ Golf
🚲 Cycling
🥾 Walking and hiking
🍊 Orange groves and countryside
⛵ The Mediterranean
🍴 Fabulous restaurants
🌴 The relaxed Spanish lifestyle
All within easy reach.
🌞 COME AND EXPERIENCE OLIVA NOVA FOR YOURSELF!
Whether you're looking for a permanent home in Spain, a holiday property or your own "bolt hole in the sun", the lifestyle around Oliva Nova and the Gandia area is about so much more than simply owning a property.
It's about having a life where your weekends can be filled with experiences.
And sometimes those experiences might be as simple as sitting in the sunshine, watching an incredible horse and rider clear a huge fence, while your family and even the dog enjoy the day with you!
And did we mention it's FREE? 😉
🐎 AUTUMN MET 2026
29 September – 13 December 2026
📍 Centro Ecuestre Oliva Nova
🎟️ Free admission
👨👩👧👦 Open to the public
🐕 Dogs welcome on leads
🌎 International show jumping
🏆 CSI1, CSI2, CSI3* & young-horse competitions**
For full competition schedules and updates, check the official MET Oliva website before travelling, as individual classes and timings can change.
For Sale By Sally In Spain 🌴- Helping you find your perfect home in the Spanish sunshine. 🏡🇪🇸
