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 Imagine
a long, thin slice of California with a patch of the Sahara desert glued onto
the north. Let some of New Zealand’s fjords wash against the south. Press all of
this against a spine of tall, rugged mountains. This would be Chile, which has
some of the world’s most varied and dramatic landscapes.
Parts of the country—Torres del Paine, for example—feel like
the ends of the earth. Yet Chile is one of the most modern and convenient travel
destinations in South America. In many places, it has a European feel—along with
European prices.
Chile is 2,705 mi/4,329 km long (about the distance in the
U.S. from San Diego, California, to Charleston, South Carolina), but averages
only 100 mi/160 km in width. Desert dominates the north, tundra the south. The
center has many fertile valleys and lovely scenery. The nation’s coastline is
indented by many bays and fjords, while the eastern regions terminate in the
Andes Mountains. Some people associate all of South America with the Amazon
jungle and heat, but there is no jungle in Chile—in fact, much of the land can
be freezing cold.
Chileans are a mix of Spanish, Irish, English, German and
Scottish immigrants and native Indians. Where else but Chile can you find German
immigrants who speak Spanish and revere a national hero named O’Higgins?
Riding Without Fences
Chile's North and Southern Patagonia offer perfect riding country. Unhindered
by fences, roads or urban development, riders can canter for miles and miles
across open deserts or pampas surrounded by the immense beauty of this
breathtaking country.
Horses
Horses in Chile are generally Criollos and Criollo crosses. Descendants of the
Spanish, Barb and Arab, the Criollo is a sturdy, sure-footed and willing ride.
Generally fairly small by North American standards at between 14.2 and 15.0
hands, they are strong nonetheless.
After riding from Argentina to Washington in the 1930s,
A F Tschiffely wrote:
"I have been able
to prove that the Criollo horse is worthy of the reputation he has always held
among the few that really know him, namely that of being second to none for
continuous hard work under any conditions."
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