Long shot - anyone know about moving a horse to Greece?

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Azabache

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My friend is thinking of moving to Athens next year and considering taking her horse with her. Is there by any chance any HHOer from Greece, who might be able to offer some advice about where she could keep him, things to be aware of etc. She's aware that there is an Athenian equestrian club but wonders of this is more for your competition folk as she's a happy hacker really. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks!
 
I'm Greek although I haven't ridden there in years, but I still have friends who ride.

Greece and esp Athens has seen a huge rise in popularity in riding since the Olympics, but taken in context (i.e. almost no riding at all before the Olympics) it still means that riding is nowhere near as popular or organised a hobby as it is in the UK.

By far the most popular activity is show jumping. If she is into SJ she is lucky as there is a lot going on.

Almost everyone keeps their horses on full livery. DIY or keeping them at home are virtually unknown (feel free to correct me on this if I am wrong. There may well be some non-Greeks who do this, but I think it is true amongst Greeks). There are quite a few yards around the Koropi/Markopoulo area which is now (with the new roads) a short drive from Athens (well, some areas of Athens, but if she wants to be near her horse she has to consider the horrendous traffic in Athens. Don't take distances with miles, talk to people about traffic. If she can get on the Attiki Odos quickly, then she will get there reasonably quickly, if not, she will be stuck for hours).

Hacking is unknown in and around Athens. I suspect that people living in very rural areas may manage to hack, but the area around Athens is extremely built up and drivers know nothing about horses as no one hacks (again feel free to correct me, but I don't know a single person who hacks or riding school that takes horses for hacks).

Edited to correct typos!
 
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My friend is thinking of moving to Athens next year and considering taking her horse with her. Is there by any chance any HHOer from Greece, who might be able to offer some advice about where she could keep him, things to be aware of etc. She's aware that there is an Athenian equestrian club but wonders of this is more for your competition folk as she's a happy hacker really. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks!

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I used to ride at Tatoiou (sp?), north of the city. Lots of open countryside for hh'ing.
 
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