A fun afternoon's trekking on Cannock Chase

[Kunoichi73]

That looks like loads of fun!

 

[Tiddlypom]

That looks like loads of fun!

It is! You could give it a try .

Oh I would just love something like that near me for when I am finally ready to get back to riding. I love the look of Buttons he would do me perfectly.

I much prefer the sound of your experience on both your rides. Next time I am going to say I am a beginner and only ridden at weekends for two years just to play it safe.

Mrs J, if you could find such a place near you it would be the perfect way to get back into the saddle . Start off with the steadiest of neddies and, if you feel like it, gradually work up to something spicier. Me, I'm going to be very happy to stick with the steddy neddies .

I was back on the lovely Jake again yesterday. There was a pro photographer out, this is a super pic (bought and paid for) of the horse cantering along as I re-establish my ability to canter in a two point seat. In my defence I think that I was trying to avoid a boggy bit, but honestly I should have left that to him. He looked after his creaky old rider beautifully. Such good fun. Also it was lovely to be out with another HHOer .

 

[JoannaC]

We like to go to the cafe at the Trekking Centre although it's not as good as it was before Covid. I've only ridden there once taking my husband on a beginners ride but unfortunately it was torrential rain that day which did spoil it a bit. it's a lovely place and if i'm ever horseless I think I would just go there to ride rather than get another.

 

[2ndtimearound]

It is! You could give it a try .


Mrs J, if you could find such a place near you it would be the perfect way to get back into the saddle . Start off with the steadiest of neddies and, if you feel like it, gradually work up to something spicier. Me, I'm going to be very happy to stick with the steddy neddies .

I was back on the lovely Jake again yesterday. There was a pro photographer out, this is a super pic (bought and paid for) of the horse cantering along as I re-establish my ability to canter in a two point seat. In my defence I think that I was trying to avoid a boggy bit, but honestly I should have left that to him. He looked after his creaky old rider beautifully. Such good fun. Also it was lovely to be out with another HHOer .

View attachment 123770

That’s a fabulous photo, @Tiddlypom! The video reel of you was good too. I got a nice photo too and a video (Parris looked fab, me not so much ). It was great to be out with you too.

 

[HollyWoozle]

You look pretty marvellous to me @Tiddlypom Great pic!

 

[Tiddlypom]

That’s a fabulous photo, @Tiddlypom! The video reel of you was good too. I got a nice photo too and a video (Parris looked fab, me not so much ). It was great to be out with you too.

Thanks, it was a good day, and you looked great on Parris .

 

[2ndtimearound]

Thanks, it was a good day, and you looked great on Parris .

Thanks.

 

[teapot]

Look great @Tiddlypom (sorry TP, got my tags wrong)

Wish there was somewhere like that down south!

 

[Hallo2012]

what was the ground like round cannock? mostly pebbley paths or plenty of grass tracks?

 

[SEL]

what was the ground like round cannock? mostly pebbley paths or plenty of grass tracks?

There's a mixture. The main paths open to cyclists etc are multi-user surfaces but not particularly stony (more like fine hardcore). A lot of the canter / gallop tracks are grass and there's some good uphill stretches which are great ground all year round.

I had to shoe when I was riding around there.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's a real mix of going, from some grassy tracks to pretty rough, steep and stony tracks.

The horses from the trekking centre are shod, and you see see why they need to be.

The pro photo above was taken on a grassy open area near to a car park which had several horse boxes parked on it, the bisected oval part of our route near to the German war cemetery on the map. Quite a popular spot.

 

[MuddyMonster]

You are looking great TP. I love the look of Jake ❤

Look great @Tiddlypom (sorry TP, got my tags wrong)

Wish there was somewhere like that down south!

There are!

The Sussex Riding School (they seem to do plenty out of Sussex too) and seem to have a good reputation and have lots of options on types of rides offered.

I'm sure there is a place on the South Downs that does trekking too as colleague has been there. Will try to get the name of it.

 

[norolim]

I've done both Cannock Chase Trekking Centre morning experienced rides and multi day rides at Free Rein several times now. I've found Free Rein canters are much longer and faster but the horses are amazing and know their job and the tracks like the back of their hand (hoof?). Super fun and super safe horses. I don't know which route you are doing with Free Rein but one of them goes to Offa's Dyke I think it is where there is an abandoned race track that you get to have a good gallop around. Best thing ever.

Enjoy, you will love it!

 

[teapot]

You are looking great TP. I love the look of Jake ❤



There are!

The Sussex Riding School (they seem to do plenty out of Sussex too) and seem to have a good reputation and have lots of options on types of rides offered.

I'm sure there is a place on the South Downs that does trekking too as colleague has been there. Will try to get the name of it.

Sadly a friend had an awful experience customer/payment wise with Sussex Riding School which has put me off massively - sounded a tad too disorganised for my liking!

 

[Tiddlypom]

After a break from riding over the winter I’m back riding at Cannock Chase trekking centre and loving it.

It was lovely to be back on my old friend Jake (the horse in my avatar) for my first ride back last week. I really needed a mental boost to be able to enjoy horses again, and time out on the Chase on a good horse and in good company was just the thing.

Back again yesterday morning for a fully booked experienced rider’s ride, complete with the pro tog out.

20 mounted clients and a fair number of staff out on a May Bank Holiday weekend heading across the Chase to meet an assignation sounds like a logistical nightmare, but it all went well.

I had a set of Friesian ears for me to look through for a change. This is Kitty. After an initial muddle where she was sure that I was asking her to show off her Big Friesian Trot, she proved that Friesians can indeed canter, and pretty speedily too!

Off we go one at a time under the watchful eye of the owner for the photo shoot. Apologies for my gurning . Remember that I’m a signed up wimp, and this is the first time that I’ve cantered this horse. She knows her stuff, and easily pulled up at the end.










Another really good day.

Highly recommended.

 

[Kirstd33]

You look so happy TP and isn’t it fabulous! My daughter and I went a couple of months back for a Sunday morning fast ride and it was terrific. I rode the lovely Arizona and Evie rode a gorgeous bay Section D mare I cant remember the name of. Will be returning for another treat as soon as daughter finishes her GCSE’s next month.

 

[SEL]

She looks lovely - is that their other Friesian in the background?

I like it when you post maps because I can visualise where you went. I knew all the fast canters!!

 

[Tiddlypom]

She looks lovely - is that their other Friesian in the background?

I like it when you post maps because I can visualise where you went. I knew all the fast canters!!

I love looking at the route afterwards!

That’s Mark’s horse, I do believe that he is also a Friesian - he does have that look. There’s another HHOer who will be able to tell us if she catches up with this update .

 

[Cobxfan55]

The photos look amazing I remember reading about Free rein you could book a holiday with the company and ride around the country side on your own horse or you could have a guided tour on horse back

 

[2ndtimearound]

Great photos, TP! Kitty is a sweetheart; a really lovely natured mare. But yes, she does indeed have a big Friesian trot! She can trot as fast as a canter when she wants to. She does have a lovely canter too, though, and she looks like she was going well for you in those photos.

You’re also correct that Mark’s horse, Oberon, is also Friesian. He actually started off as a trekking centre horse, but he proved to be quite strong on treks, and then he really bonded with Mark during the three lockdowns, so he became Mark’s horse as Mark didn’t have his own at that point. It seems to suit Oberon better to be a one-person horse, and he and Mark make a great team. I was behind the two of them for some fast canters on Saturday afternoon (I was riding Indiana, another of Lisa’s homebreds). We don’t normally have canters that fast on a Saturday afternoon!

I’m glad you had a good time there too, @Kirstd33. The bay mare whose name you can’t remember would be the lovely Lola.

 

[OldNag]

Lovely photos!

I used to live near the Chase, do miss it.

 

[Kirstd33]

Great photos, TP! Kitty is a sweetheart; a really lovely natured mare. But yes, she does indeed have a big Friesian trot! She can trot as fast as a canter when she wants to. She does have a lovely canter too, though, and she looks like she was going well for you in those photos.

You’re also correct that Mark’s horse, Oberon, is also Friesian. He actually started off as a trekking centre horse, but he proved to be quite strong on treks, and then he really bonded with Mark during the three lockdowns, so he became Mark’s horse as Mark didn’t have his own at that point. It seems to suit Oberon better to be a one-person horse, and he and Mark make a great team. I was behind the two of them for some fast canters on Saturday afternoon (I was riding Indiana, another of Lisa’s homebreds). We don’t normally have canters that fast on a Saturday afternoon!

I’m glad you had a good time there too, @Kirstd33. The bay mare whose name you can’t remember would be the lovely Lola.

That’s it…..lola! She was amazing as my daughter was a bit nervous for the first fast canters and she dropped back to a trot for her but then picked up again once Evie got the gist of just letting them go and do their jobs. Those horses are ponies are true professionals and more importantly seem to love their jobs. Wonderful place, it’s a good job we don’t live nearer as I’d be there all the time despite having our own.

 

[2ndtimearound]

That’s it…..lola! She was amazing as my daughter was a bit nervous for the first fast canters and she dropped back to a trot for her but then picked up again once Evie got the gist of just letting them go and do their jobs. Those horses are ponies are true professionals and more importantly seem to love their jobs. Wonderful place, it’s a good job we don’t live nearer as I’d be there all the time despite having our own.

Yep, Lola is one of several horses Lisa has that is great at judging their rider and acting accordingly. I agree that they do seem to love their jobs. And I do live close enough (just!), so I am there all the time! Well, pretty much every Saturday morning, anyway!

 

[Jambarissa]

An awful lot of the regulars have done the same thing in going there after not wanting another horse of their own.

This was my plan! When I had 2 in their 20s I wasn't going to buy again just go on treks.

Not sure what happened, I've now an 8 yo, a 12 yo and an 18 yo

If anyone is out of horses definitely don't buy in again, just do this!

 

[2ndtimearound]

This was my plan! When I had 2 in their 20s I wasn't going to buy again just go on treks.

Not sure what happened, I've now an 8 yo, a 12 yo and an 18 yo

That's a big oops!

I know it's not the same as having your own, but finding a good trekking centre to ride at is definitely a good option when you no longer want to own / do the horse care side of things, but still want to ride.

 

[Kirstd33]

That's a big oops!

I know it's not the same as having your own, but finding a good trekking centre to ride at is definitely a good option when you no longer want to own / do the horse care side of things, but still want to ride.

Totally agree with this and I said to my daughter if we were closer I'd do the same especially now that coblet is on box rest for months following his surgery. I know its a little bit more premium than your average hacking centre but worth every penny for the quality, fitness and variety of the horses and ponies and the amazing off road hacking on the door step, the cafe, personal feel of the place. We left feeling like we'd met a friend in Lisa and she took the time to ask us lots of questions before she personally selected our rides for the morning, which i have to say she did perfectly!

 

[SEL]

That’s it…..lola! She was amazing as my daughter was a bit nervous for the first fast canters and she dropped back to a trot for her but then picked up again once Evie got the gist of just letting them go and do their jobs. Those horses are ponies are true professionals and more importantly seem to love their jobs. Wonderful place, it’s a good job we don’t live nearer as I’d be there all the time despite having our own.

It's a pretty good life - they live as a herd, no real grazing restrictions because they're all in a lot of work and their jobs are fun. Not a lot to dislike about riding out with your herd and having a good canter.

Lisa doesn't hammer them and anything that doesn't like or can't stand up to the trekking gets found a new home via her contacts.

Plus she buys really, really nice horses! Always has done even if they are going to be used for the trekking centre. It's over 12 years since we moved away and I like seeing what she's been shopping for although it makes me feel old that the youngsters from when I knew her are all retirees now

 

[2ndtimearound]

Totally agree with this and I said to my daughter if we were closer I'd do the same especially now that coblet is on box rest for months following his surgery. I know its a little bit more premium than your average hacking centre but worth every penny for the quality, fitness and variety of the horses and ponies and the amazing off road hacking on the door step, the cafe, personal feel of the place. We left feeling like we'd met a friend in Lisa and she took the time to ask us lots of questions before she personally selected our rides for the morning, which i have to say she did perfectly!

I agree that it's worth every penny! As you say, it's just a great combination of all the elements that make it a special place, and Lisa has worked very hard to make it so!

 

[Kirstd33]

It's a pretty good life - they live as a herd, no real grazing restrictions because they're all in a lot of work and their jobs are fun. Not a lot to dislike about riding out with your herd and having a good canter.

Lisa doesn't hammer them and anything that doesn't like or can't stand up to the trekking gets found a new home via her contacts.

Plus she buys really, really nice horses! Always has done even if they are going to be used for the trekking centre. It's over 12 years since we moved away and I like seeing what she's been shopping for although it makes me feel old that the youngsters from when I knew her are all retirees now

Originally we first commented on a few of the horses being on the leaner side but as Lisa explained they were just being moved from their winter grazing to their lush summer grass and would look very different in a few short weeks. but then after riding for 2 hrs at a fast pace all over the chase and both ours horses barely sweating we decided that they looked exactly what fit horses look like and that we are conditioned to seeing fat unfit cobs!

 

[2ndtimearound]

It's a pretty good life - they live as a herd, no real grazing restrictions because they're all in a lot of work and their jobs are fun. Not a lot to dislike about riding out with your herd and having a good canter.

Lisa doesn't hammer them and anything that doesn't like or can't stand up to the trekking gets found a new home via her contacts.

Plus she buys really, really nice horses! Always has done even if they are going to be used for the trekking centre. It's over 12 years since we moved away and I like seeing what she's been shopping for although it makes me feel old that the youngsters from when I knew her are all retirees now

Lisa has definitely got a good eye for a horse, that's for sure! Of all the horses she's had in the almost 11 years I've been riding there, I think there are only three or four I can remember that she's sold on because they didn't take to the life and were more suited to a home where they had just the one rider.