Equestrian Holiday Friends/ Ladies 50+

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Equestrian Travel

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I was advised here is the place to post this

I'm a happily married 56 year old 'happy hacker'. I did think about buying my own horse when I retired but I've decided just to enjoy going off on equestrian experiences. Is there a forum which brings people together who may have that similar interest with pure purpose of platonic female friendship only to enjoy equestrian experiences.
Any good ideas or experiences in the UK of equestrian Holiday venues I'd be delighted to hear thoughts.
Thanks in advance
 
As a fellow 50+ happily married horse lover I would be interested. I have had my horse for a year now and would also like some new horsey friends to go out on horse adventures with. I have been trying to find something that would suit my daughter and I with her hiring a horse where I could bring mine. They are not that easy to find and are often quite pricey for what they are.
 
Would you be prepared to say where you are (approx)? or PM if not?

A few years ago I did several trips with Freerein (Clyro nr Hay on Wye) and would recommend them.
Also Venture Co in Okehampton.

OH did kindly come on holiday with me, but he's done very little riding and I worried all the time about him falling !
 
Hi Green Bean, thanks for your post. I've gone to the Cotswolds in the past with a friend and booked into a local hotel and then did a couple of days riding out; it was lovely.
A couple of weeks ago I booked a trail ride for experienced riders at one of Scotlands probably most famous special hotel ; I didn't stay in the hotel but had a really nice lunch post ride. I wouldn't routinely go there but as a one off it was a great experience and I'm glad I did it.
So for me it's about combining equestrian interest to let me enjoy, explore and experience different parts of the UK.
I've been to New Mexico before and Denver on ranch rides ; brilliant so I'd love to do more of that. I hear Spain does great riding trips but it's not easy finding friends 50+ who ride and are able for a variety of reasons to enjoy holidays/breaks.
I've got no set ideas indeed I'm very keen of others ideas.
My adult daughter rides too but mothering duties are curtailing her at present. I remember it well with much fondness but I equally feel fortunate to be able to pursue freely now my passion for horse riding. A friendly buddy in a similar position would just add to share the enjoyment. My husband will accompany me to Olypmia or Badminton but has never remotely felt need or wish to mount up.
 
GreyMane said:
Would you be prepared to say where you are (approx)? or PM if not?

A few years ago I did several trips with Freerein (Clyro nr Hay on Wye) and would recommend them.
Also Venture Co in Okehampton.

OH did kindly come on holiday with me, but he's done very little riding and I worried all the time about him falling !
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Grey mare - thank you. Happy to pm you. How do I do that please?
My It skills are not the best!
 
Greymane

I don't see the Private Mail section; I'm on my mobile so perhaps I need to try on the ipad.
I'm Scottish but to be honest location in the UK doesn't phase me ; I drive but also when I've gone to the Cotswolds I just fly to Bristol and hired a car.

I'm going to look up your suggestions ; thanks for these.

I know in the Borders they do the Common riding and I'd love to buddy up with someone to do the Edinburgh Royal Mile Ride. I've been the envious spectator but added it to my bucket list ; an amazing sight..
 
Greymane

I don't see the Private Mail section; I'm on my mobile so perhaps I need to try on the ipad.
I'm Scottish but to be honest location in the UK doesn't phase me ; I drive but also when I've gone to the Cotswolds I just fly to Bristol and hired a car.

I'm going to look up your suggestions ; thanks for these.

I know in the Borders they do the Common riding and I'd love to buddy up with someone to do the Edinburgh Royal Mile Ride. I've been the envious spectator but added it to my bucket list ; an amazing sight..
 
Myheartinhoofbeat..
Thanks for message. I guess it's not a good idea to put my contact details on the open forum and I'm still not seeing anything to indicate I can private message. Let me try figure it out; there must be a way.

So my initial thoughts would be that if anyone thinks they'd like to do this then a meet up with organised ride somewhere and perhaps meal out and optional booking for overnight stay at nearby hotel. I think that's probably most sensible to keep it short and sweet first meet up and then take it from there but to be honest I'm happy to hear any thoughts.
The idea of having a travel buddy who's at roughly the same age and stage as myself with capacity to travel and enjoy equestrian ventures would be a plus. I probably like most of us don't have an unlimited supply of £££ but equally I've worked hard and it's its me time now if that makes sense..
 
The trip I would like to do is the camino de Santiago on horseback.
Expensive though, need to save lots of £££.
 
Carrottom, yes I think that sort of thing would be excellent but not in the height of the summer. What sort of costs involved. I did speak to a friend who had walked it but he said there were definitely sections he'd recommend busing through as it wasn't particularly nice and detracted from the experience. He thought there was horses available all along the route.
 
A company called Unicorn trails do organized trips, split into 4 one week trails costing from about £1700 each excluding flights.
 
In a mixed group I don't see issue however my thoughts initially is just to look at finding an individual tavel buddy. That said if you're organising any group events please let me know.

Several reasons I guess.May be further down the line if I gel with a travel buddy if its female we may be able to cut costs hugely by booking twin rooms ; that's not going to happen for me with a guy. I probably enjoy female holiday company more than male company. I think I'd struggle to convince my family a one to one holiday with a male other than their dad was okay. Hope that answers your question. Kind Regards
 
Thank you Equestrian Travel. I guess you would be happy with a mixed forum, but can understand why you may want to travel with another female. Personally, I would want my own room regardless of gender, but everyone is free to choose what suits them.
 
I would be my choice too to have my own room but I guess if it's almost doubling the cost of the holiday sharing with a good friend is an option worth considering.
I think for example the safari type holidays are hugely expensive for one but very doable on a twin basis.
 
I’ve been away on a few holidays now with In The Saddle and they have some nice options. There have been solo travellers there but yes most of the time there is a single supplement so it gets expensive.
 
I've been on absolutely loads of riding holidays, and can definitely say that on every single one there were solo women in their 50's. Most of the holidays you can opt to twin share if there is another similar person there, and that brings the cost down. I've never known any of the people that I've met on these holidays beforehand, and I don't think that matters. Please don't be put off booking a holiday you would really enjoy just because you would be travelling solo. I think around 75% of riding holiday guests are the same.
I use Zara's Planet to book mine. They would be well placed to advise you of holidays where they have similar people to yourself travelling, and it really is no problem at all to go solo and make friends there.
 
sportsmansB said:
I've been on absolutely loads of riding holidays, and can definitely say that on every single one there were solo women in their 50's. Most of the holidays you can opt to twin share if there is another similar person there, and that brings the cost down. I've never known any of the people that I've met on these holidays beforehand, and I don't think that matters. Please don't be put off booking a holiday you would really enjoy just because you would be travelling solo. I think around 75% of riding holiday guests are the same.
I use Zara's Planet to book mine. They would be well placed to advise you of holidays where they have similar people to yourself travelling, and it really is no problem at all to go solo and make friends there.
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Thanks so much that's very encouraging.
It's a real tricky one to know if realistically I'm likely to meet others in similar position prior to booking a holiday who are seriously considering looking at travel buddy as an option. I have absolutely no idea if truth be told.
 
Il Paretaio in Tuscany is one place I could happily do a singles riding holiday - you would meet lots of interesting people and Christina would keep an eye on you to make sure you were enjoying it.
Lovely horses too!
Ps its always worth asking for a package deal - if they have availability I am sure they would look after you!
 
Have a look at horses & culture they have a Facebook page they look like a good option for Spain if you were interested.
 
Carrottom said:
The trip I would like to do is the camino de Santiago on horseback.
Expensive though, need to save lots of £££.
Click to expand...
I have a friend who has just walked this, he said you see thousands of people each day, the bunk houses and the like are over full every night, just thought I would entire it as its now one of the bissiest pilgrimage routes there is.
I am a little younger than the rest of you (late 40's) and may have more restrictions but would love to join you if possible.
 
canteron said:
Il Paretaio in Tuscany is one place I could happily do a singles riding holiday - you would meet lots of interesting people and Christina would keep an eye on you to make sure you were enjoying it.
Lovely horses too!
Ps its always worth asking for a package deal - if they have availability I am sure they would look after you!
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Thanks for the suggestion; definitely will have a look at that
 
I would also recommend Hacienda Horses in spain for a first solo trip. They are super friendly, near Malaga so cheap easy flights, and you can stay any length of time so you could test it out with a few days to see how you get on before trying a longer / more adventurous trip.
Feel free to PM me for any other info on horsey travelling in general - its my favourite thing other than eventing!
 
I'm in my 50s & travel alone, I've been with In The Saddle (good but expensive) & Hoofin About (good & much cheaper) I can recommend them both. The good thing about Hoofin About is it's a very small One Man Band company, the owner goes on the hoildays as well & you meet him at the airport, I went on a very nice holiday to Austria with him, it was a real family affair because his son & daughter came as well. The youngester person was mid 20s & the oldest was in her 60s.
 
Hi all, thanks for all these great links. I guess I'd been hoping to link up \meet with fellow equestrian travel buddies to 'test the water' for both then book up a holiday. I think perhaps however reading all these great tips it may be best just to take the bull by the horns and book something. I can make conversation with most so not overly shy but I'd just thought it there must be many like me who have a scarcity of friends with all the equation needed, time, riding skill and £ available.
 
I haven't read all the threads, but I have been on riding holidays by myself. Next time I will check if I am the only English speaker. Definitely finding a friend, really for the evenings and time off when you can do other things other than ride.

Any of the British based companies would be good, they are thoroughly checked out, some will take single people without a supplement, particulary in the Eastern Europe areas.

I can recommend In the Saddle and Equestrian Escapes. They will talk to you on the telephone about your concerns and they may have other people in a similar situation.

Free Rein in Wales is lovely and consistently receives massive praise. The only downside of Wales is catching a wet few days I can imagine. The horses are great, forward going cobby types (no sleek TB here) and landscape is wonderful and it is a very slick operation. It isn't the cheapest and check your insurance as one poor rider went with her friend who tripped over and broke her wrist and as they were on a self guided ride the whole holiday was cancelled, so the rider lost her money and didn't get her holiday. That wouldn't happen if you were part of a group and they only let you go self guided if you have already been on a guided ride. Personally I would find a self guided holiday a bit stressful, but obviously some people love it.
 
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