Cortez
Tough but Fair
Planning on going up there for a play around; anyone been? What's it like?
Anyone been to Castle Leslie?
- Thread starter Cortez
- Start date
paddi22
Well-Known Member
we went there for our honeymoon. did the self catering cottages. was supposed to bring the horse but he was lame. really enjoyed it. Beautiful for walks and the cross country was great fun. Did a few quiet treks as well and enjoyed them. The restaurant is gorgeous but expensive and a bit fussy. We were sick of rich food after four days and ended up going to a chipper! The bar food is lovely as well though as another food option.
Really enjoyed the experience, but if i was taking my horse i think i'd pick anna harvey over castle leslie, just because its more relaxed!
Really enjoyed the experience, but if i was taking my horse i think i'd pick anna harvey over castle leslie, just because its more relaxed!
thinkitwasjune
Well-Known Member
I went there for a two hour cross country lesson for my birthday several years ago - on one of their horses as mine wasn't fit! I had the best time, fab jumps and a huge variety, it was expensive but I would definitely go back 
only_me
Well-Known Member
Tis great, not far from me. In fact previous horse now lives there with new owner.
Went for a hack round and great fun, however it is very wet atm as you can imagine so not much jumping. They are holding an eventing Ireland later this year a well
Went for a hack round and great fun, however it is very wet atm as you can imagine so not much jumping. They are holding an eventing Ireland later this year a well
Jnhuk
Well-Known Member
Yes few years ago now. Lovely place and think would be fab but our riding experience was disappointing tbh. We stayed in the main Castle when it was a normal hotel rather than the club thing now.
Went the week after the October school holiday week so all the horses were really tired and weather had been very wet so a lot of the tracks etc were very deep. Had a very disappointing hack due to above, plus the fact that my OH was recovering from a serious knee injury so couldn't jump on medical advice although we had both been looking forward to at least a couple of canters or gallop. We were treated to a hack mostly in walk with some trot and my horse had the most awful trot.... made me appreciate my own horses a lot after that. When we asked if we could have at least a canter, the girl taking us out, said thought you didn't want a cross country ride??? Cross wires somewhere. Very disappointed in horse and I should have asked for another after the trial in the school but they were limited for choice due to many of the horses needing a rest.
The following day, we changed our hack to a private lesson for my OH. He rode a really nice horse in their small indoor school. This was really much better. When I got asked why not riding, said that I didn't really enjoy the previous day's ride and seemed pointless when I told her why and what horse I was on, think she understood and even asked me how I found her trot! Must admit, was a little disappointed that they didn't offer something to try and improve our experience.
Think it would be a fab place to go as a group and have lots of XC rides but I would stay clear of school holidays and the week after.
Hope this helps
Went the week after the October school holiday week so all the horses were really tired and weather had been very wet so a lot of the tracks etc were very deep. Had a very disappointing hack due to above, plus the fact that my OH was recovering from a serious knee injury so couldn't jump on medical advice although we had both been looking forward to at least a couple of canters or gallop. We were treated to a hack mostly in walk with some trot and my horse had the most awful trot.... made me appreciate my own horses a lot after that. When we asked if we could have at least a canter, the girl taking us out, said thought you didn't want a cross country ride??? Cross wires somewhere. Very disappointed in horse and I should have asked for another after the trial in the school but they were limited for choice due to many of the horses needing a rest.
The following day, we changed our hack to a private lesson for my OH. He rode a really nice horse in their small indoor school. This was really much better. When I got asked why not riding, said that I didn't really enjoy the previous day's ride and seemed pointless when I told her why and what horse I was on, think she understood and even asked me how I found her trot! Must admit, was a little disappointed that they didn't offer something to try and improve our experience.
Think it would be a fab place to go as a group and have lots of XC rides but I would stay clear of school holidays and the week after.
Hope this helps
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Thamks all for the replies. I may take a couple of my beasties up there for a go in their indoor (and me for a go in the restaurant - such luxury!).
CorvusCorax
'It's only a laugh, no harm done'
Stayed in the hunting lodge overlooking the yard for my mum's birthday and did the x-country. I'd had a rotational fall a short time previously and whilst unhurt had really lost my mojo.
Got little point-and-shoot Teddy, at the start I was terrified and only wanted to do minimal jumping, by the end I was doing everything, did the 'bounce' with no stirrups and was jumping in and out of the water.
Restaurant was excellent.
Got little point-and-shoot Teddy, at the start I was terrified and only wanted to do minimal jumping, by the end I was doing everything, did the 'bounce' with no stirrups
and was jumping in and out of the water.Restaurant was excellent.
Wheels
Well-Known Member
Not been but I am thinking of taking myself off there for a day and maybe doing some XC in the morning and a side saddle lesson in the afternoon
cronkmooar
Well-Known Member
Hi Wheels & Cortez
Have either of you been yet?
Have just booked for a long weekend in July and am a tad over excited
Have either of you been yet?
Have just booked for a long weekend in July and am a tad over excited
Wheels
Well-Known Member
No haven't been yet as I've been backing my youngster who's not *quite* ready for XC just yet lol
I'm told its very good, let us know how you get on
I'm told its very good, let us know how you get on
cronkmooar
Well-Known Member
Will give full report on my return (still very excited)
)
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Yes, have been and it's a great place; wonderful surface in the indoor, lots of lovely hacks and jumping (I don't do jumping, but most people do). No outdoor, or at least only a tiny, boggy warm up place. Restaurant very good!