Horsey visits/trips/experiences

[Kat]

For a relative's special birthday I plan to take them somewhere, I have a few ideas but would be grateful for more suggestions.

Time of year is unimportant, it doesn't have to be close to the birthday.

We're in the Midlands but don't mind travelling, although it obviously adds to the cost.

In the past we have done Burghley, Olympia, HOYS and YHL for birthday treats.

I am thinking something like those trips, say Badminton or the races, or a demo rather than taking our horses somewhere. Their horse is still pretty green and unpredictable and I don't want a birthday gift to end in A&E so no beach trips or days hunting.

Ideas and inspiration gratefully received!

 

[ycbm]

If they like art as well, a visit to see the Kelpies? It's on my list, I'm told they are awesome.
.

 

[Barton Bounty]

If they like art as well, a visit to see the Kelpies? It's on my list, I'm told they are awesome.
.

They are ?

 

[Kat]

If they like art as well, a visit to see the Kelpies? It's on my list, I'm told they are awesome.
.

I'm not sure that they would be particularly interested but that is a good idea for another special birthday I have coming up ?

 

[Maddie Moo]

Newmarket? You could visit the racing museum, the National Stud and then if you time it right, there is could be a Tattersalls sale on at the same time. Or go racing if you wanted.

 

[J&S]

New Forest Show? Or any other big county show in a nice area. Combine with a short holiday away.

 

[sky1000]

Three Counties show in June? There is a courtesy bus from and to Great Malvern station if you wanted to combine it with a stay in Malvern and walk on the hills

 

[Kat]

Newmarket? You could visit the racing museum, the National Stud and then if you time it right, there is could be a Tattersalls sale on at the same time. Or go racing if you wanted.

That's a good idea thank you!

 

[Kat]

Thanks J&S and Sky1000

I'm not sure county shows are really the type of thing that would appeal but I will think about it

 

[scats]

Bolesworth in June/July? In the posh tent?

 

[Skib]

Visit the Royal Mews (make sure it is a day the horses are there)
Ride in Hyde Park on Rotten Row. (Hyde Park stables still hack there I think)
Ride over Epsom Downs (has to be afternoon as Race horses go there in the morning)
Visit the Horse Guards Museum on Whitehall
Go to Edenbridge show or any big County or regional show. Check the programme first to see what is on on the day you go. We went to Suffolk and the heavy horses including Suffolk Punches were spectacular.
Go to the Windsor Horse show (assuming there will still be one)
Watch some high goal polo. We go to Cowdray Park

I want to go to the Hickstead Derby.

 

[Kat]

Bolesworth in June/July? In the posh tent?

That could be a good shout!

I'm planning to offer a few options rather than a surprise so that can go on the list

 

[Kat]

Visit the Royal Mews (make sure it is a day the horses are there)
Ride in Hyde Park on Rotten Row. (Hyde Park stables still hack there I think)
Ride over Epsom Downs (has to be afternoon as Race horses go there in the morning)
Visit the Horse Guards Museum on Whitehall
Go to Edenbridge show or any big County or regional show. Check the programme first to see what is on on the day you go. We went to Suffolk and the heavy horses including Suffolk Punches were spectacular.
Go to the Windsor Horse show (assuming there will still be one)
Watch some high goal polo. We go to Cowdray Park

I want to go to the Hickstead Derby.

Some great ideas there thanks!

 

[Red-1]

One of mum's birthday treats I organised was a day out at a small racecourse (Ripon but I'm sure there would be one closer to you). We actually live between Doncaster and York, but I wanted a more friendly atmosphere, so the family could meet and split. We had a table in the posh dining room for the day as a base, it was fabulous. Food was good too. It was small enough that we couldn't get lost in the crowd, plus car parking was close by, in fact everything was close by!

 

[asmp]

My daughter gave me a horsey weekend for my 60th this year. We went down to Devon. Started with donkey sanctuary, went to the Iberian Horse Show at
Exeter and then, on the Sunday, we did a three hour ride on Clydesdales over Dartmoor. It was brilliant!

 

[Kat]

More great suggestions thanks!

 

[TRECtastic]

I have a big birthday coming up next year
Myself and a few friends are going to bank farm for a spa and hack out , you can also stay in their lodge overnight which we are also planning on doing

https://bankfarmequestrian.co.uk/about/liveries/

 

[Abacus]

If you wanted slightly less busy events than badminton, gatcombe and Blenheim are both lovely and not too far for you. I always get lakeside parking at Blenheim so you park close and can have a picnic by the lake, and useful for dropping shopping back at the car.

 

[Kat]

If you wanted slightly less busy events than badminton, gatcombe and Blenheim are both lovely and not too far for you. I always get lakeside parking at Blenheim so you park close and can have a picnic by the lake, and useful for dropping shopping back at the car.

I had wondered about Blenheim or Gatcombe, I went years ago but they haven't been. They are on the list, also possibly Bramham.

 

[Jenko109]

Ride a seasoned hunter instead and book a hunting weekend at Flowerhill Equestrian.

 

[reynold]

Go to Chatsworth event and look round the amazing house before or after. Plus it's in the Peak district which has many lovely places to visit.

 

[EventingMum]

If you fancy travelling north a trip to Blair Horse Trials - spectacular scenery and a lovely event plus you could stop off at the Kelpies en route. There are lots of things to do nearby too - distillery tours, The Highland Chocolatier etc

 

[Domirati]

https://www.nationalstud.co.uk/visit#book-a-tour

this is on my bucket list

 

[Spottyappy]

Assuming all parties can ride, a group of us had a 2 hour hack through Windsor Great Park. As we were all able to ride, we had a few good canters too. You head to the stable yard, but the horses are then boxed to the Great Park, with you in the lorry or cars from the stables. We had a really good time.
You could tie in with lunch along the river or in Windsor itself if that’s not something you have done.
https://www.waysidestables.co.uk/windsor-great-park-rides

 

[Kat]

Go to Chatsworth event and look round the amazing house before or after. Plus it's in the Peak district which has many lovely places to visit.

Great suggestion but we have been together most years so it wouldn't be very special

 

[Kat]

Ride a seasoned hunter instead and book a hunting weekend at Flowerhill Equestrian.

Where is that?

If he fancied hunting our local pack have some nice hirelings and mine is a good hunter so that could be an option

 

[Kat]

Assuming all parties can ride, a group of us had a 2 hour hack through Windsor Great Park. As we were all able to ride, we had a few good canters too. You head to the stable yard, but the horses are then boxed to the Great Park, with you in the lorry or cars from the stables. We had a really good time.
You could tie in with lunch along the river or in Windsor itself if that’s not something you have done.
https://www.waysidestables.co.uk/windsor-great-park-rides

That's a good idea thanks, we both ride so definitely possible

 

[Kat]

If you fancy travelling north a trip to Blair Horse Trials - spectacular scenery and a lovely event plus you could stop off at the Kelpies en route. There are lots of things to do nearby too - distillery tours, The Highland Chocolatier etc

Might be a bit far but a lovely idea

 

[Kat]

https://www.nationalstud.co.uk/visit#book-a-tour

this is on my bucket list

That's added to the list, they have owned two ex-racers so Newmarket could be a good trip. Thanks

 

[teapot]

What about a polo lesson?

Ingrid Klimke is going a demo/clinic in Feb in Scotland