As owner of Estancia Los Potreros, Kevin Begg is far more than a host. Having grown up on the estancia, he knows every valley, river crossing, hidden trail and mountain ridge by heart. Today, he continues to live and work on the farm, welcoming guests personally and sharing the landscapes, horses and traditions that have shaped his life. For Kevin, Los Potreros is more than a destination; it is home. His connection to the estancia stretches back four generations, from childhood days spent roaming freely across the hills to the present day, where he remains deeply involved in every aspect of life on the farm. Whether joining a ride, sharing stories over dinner or introducing guests to the horses, Kevin's passion for the estancia is at the heart of every stay.
We sat down with him to talk about his earliest memories, the horses that have left their mark, and the special places that continue to inspire him after a lifetime spent in the Sierras Chicas.
What is your earliest memory of the estancia?
My earliest memories are of freedom and space: running around the estancia as a young child with very few rules. I remember my grandmother, the matriarch of the family, sounding a great gong at lunchtime to tell us we had fifteen minutes before we had to come in. She lived to be 104 and was a very strong presence throughout my childhood. I also remember riding with my father when he came up from work at weekends, and my elder brother, Robin, leading my horse and teaching me to ride.
What has been your most memorable moment on horseback here? Is there a horse across your lifetime that stands out as one in a million, and why?
There have been many memorable moments: my first canter, the first time I fell off, riding to the waterfalls and discovering the secret corners of the estancia that we rarely visited. I remember my first horse, Regalito, who was given to me by my parents when I was very young and on whom I learned to ride. But perhaps the horse who stands out most is Negro El Once, or Black Eleven, named after what is considered a lucky roulette number in Argentina. He was the horse I found and rode when I returned to Argentina to live at the estancia in 2001. Through him, I rediscovered the connection with horses that I had lost during my years away. He helped bring me home in more ways than one.
If you could take guests to just one spot on the estancia, where would it be and why?
The obvious choices would be the estancia's iconic places: the Cascada de los Condores, our waterfall, or the Top of the World, the highest point on the farm. They are spectacular and naturally form part of the experience. But personally, I would choose one of the quieter corners that we seldom visit. When I lead a ride, I enjoy leaving the well-trodden paths and taking guests somewhere even our guides and gauchos do not often go. Those places bring back childhood memories for me, and they allow guests to feel that they are genuinely discovering a private and almost forgotten part of the estancia.
What's something about life with horses that has taught you an important lesson?
Horses have taught me that trust cannot be demanded, t has to be earned. You need patience, consistency and quiet confidence. A horse responds to who you really are, not to who you pretend to be, and it quickly senses tension, impatience or uncertainty. Horses also teach humility, however experienced you may think you are, there is always more to learn.
After a perfect day at the estancia, what wine would you open and who would you share it with?
I would open a bottle of Angelica Zapata, a red wine I particularly enjoy, and I would share it with my father, although he might well have preferred a glass of whisky. He was the person who created the estancia as I remember it and shaped so much of what it became. Some of my fondest memories are of being here with him. To sit together after a perfect day, looking out over the land and sharing a drink, would be very special.