Recommendations for a riding holiday

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xxRachelxx

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Sooo, me and a close friend are thinking about going on a riding holiday this summer. We are both competant riders and would like abit of a challenge! I have seen a few online but was wondering how many of you guys have been on riding holidays and who would you reccommend? Trans Wales Trails looks good but abit pricey?? Views and reccomendations please!!! Thank you. PS we are looking to stay in UK and are from Kent but are happy to travel!
 
Mostly you pay for what you get. I went on a fantstic one in Ireland if you want to improve your riding fitness confidence and ability quickly. Are you looking to trek or gor instruction or for both?
 
I won a child holiday (I'm in my teens) a couple of years ago at Wellington riding in Hampshire. They have amazing facileties, so many instructors that cater for all abilitys and I was put on a firey mare thet wasn't useually part of the riding school I think because she was quite a lot to handle. I really enjoyed my time, the food was ok, horses suited everyone, instructors were friendly and like I said the facileties are amazing!! For the kids week we stayed on site and had 3 rides a day (jump, flat and hack), but I moved group as some friends had been split up and they wanted to swop groups. I did feel like the lessons weren't that challenging but the instructor gave me extra things too do and popped all the courses up when we did them. So yeah maybe have a look at wellington.

And there is a place in Cornwall called Wheal buller that I know have lots of riding holidays but avoid them like the plague! I went there a couple of times for lessons and have a very low opinion of them, the horses tack was broken, they didn't seem happy around people and mainly I found the instructors litteraly insulting. I was in a group with others from my school and most of them had no prior riding experience, we were "jumping" over trotting poles laid on the ground. I was told I had to go into jumping seat over these trotting poles or they wouldn't know if I could jump! I had an argument with the lady and was told that if I didn't do it I wouldn't be allowed to jump. So I threw all my toys out of the pram and got off. Bareing in mind I was reguarly jumping 2 horses I produced to jump myself at home up to 3"9, I was really insulted!!

Sorry for the rant, hope this helps (:
 
doonrocket said:
Mostly you pay for what you get. I went on a fantstic one in Ireland if you want to improve your riding fitness confidence and ability quickly. Are you looking to trek or gor instruction or for both?
Click to expand...

Would love to know the details of this place, going to Ireland this summer and hope to ride whilst I'm there.
 
We went to Clonshire equestrian near Adare. I think I used a company called "Far and ride". It was fairly pricey as we stayed in a rather nice hotel. The Hacking is a bit average, but needed as a break from the relentless riding. At first it looked like just another riding school with a nice cross country course, then I sat on one of these "riding school horses". He was awsome, like he was privately owned. I had three different horses to ride during the week including a youngster that was learning to do the cross country, and as I was about to buy something similar this was very useful.

Once they figured we could ride , there was no messing about. Pushing us in dressage, jumping and xcountry on lovely confidence giving forward going Irish horses.

Get as fit as you can before you go to get the most out of it.

I am saving up to go agian !
 
Day 2 was 1hr show jumping. 45 minutes chase me Charlie style Xcountry. Lunch followed by 1.5hr plus dressage a short hack, back in the evening for another hour Xcountry.
I ride most days, run 4.5 miles about twice a week and was rowing 10 k on my concept 2 about twice week before going! - but you don't have to go that far.
 
Wow sounds intense,. you must be a lot more motivated than me! I am normally fitter and ride everyday but been really busy lately. Will be taking on two new rides along side my horse this summer though so I should be fitter...... I hope!
 
I would recommend Freerein in Wales.
We have been a couple of times and had a great time on one of their unguided rides, staying overnight in local pubs. They were very well organised.

Just google freerein.
 
Some friends of mine have been on Trans Wales Trails and really enjoyed it - they've been back quite a few times now.
 
I went on a Western Riding holiday weekend in The New Forest a few years ago. It was a lot of fun (some of us got sore bums though - I had to do rising trot to relieve my bum after a while :D), I remember being happy about how well the horses looked, and they didn't have that 'dead to the world' look that you often see with RS horses. I can't remember what the place was called, but there can't be that many Western Riding centres in the New Forest, so you might be able to google it easily.

We went as a big group from our yard, so we were all competant Riders and weren't being held back by any novices in our group.
 
I went on a brilliant riding holiday to Castle Leslie in Ireland last April, could do as much or as little as you liked, there were fast and furious bits and chilled out enjoying scenery bits!
 
My housemate's mum runs Highlands Unbridled in Scotland.
I've helped out there for the last 2 summers, lovely views and really friendly place. Good variety of horses too!

The rides are different lengths and routes depending on what you want to do and your ability. Lots of galloping on beaches!!
The website is www.highlandsunbridled.co.uk

Its a long way to go but the views and scenery are well worth it!
 
doonrocket said:
Oh and that picture on My sig is me on the course on one of their lovely horses 'Claddagh'.
Click to expand...

Hi doonrocket, I am Holly from Far and Ride! I think I might have dealt with your booking? I rode Claddagh myself when I was there, I rode Claddagh in the morning and Aubrey in the afternoon and had a wonderful time.

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it (especially if you book it through me ;) ).
 
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