Riding holiday for older rider in uk

[irishredwood]

Hi. I am looking for a holiday for 2025 where I can enjoy a daily ride on a safe horse in scenic countryside. I went to South Wales last year with my husband and granddaughter. We booked a self catering cottage and then I booked 1 to 2 hours hacks each day. But this year would prefer to stay somewhere near one riding establishment which can offer the above, so different hacks each day would be great. I am 72 so not interested in fast riding, although my granddaughter would be if I take her again this year. Can be flexible on location.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I know that I recommend this place a lot, but I can thoroughly recommend Cannock Chase trekking centre.

All off road riding in a fabulous location. There are one and two hour rides daily. Routes are varied, so don’t worry about riding out from there every day.

I’m 66 so am no spring chicken myself . Mounting is very well organised too, with the horses stood up to a mounting block by the staff and the stirrups adjusted before you move away from the mounting block.

The morning rides are for experienced riders and have a number of decent paced canters. The afternoon mixed ability rides are steadier and split the walk/trot group from the canterers part way through before meeting back up again. I actually enjoy the slower paced afternoon rides as much as the morning ones as there is even more time to relax and enjoy the scenery.

They have some seriously nice horses. I’ve ridden about 8 different horses there to date, all good. They have over 40!

Me earlier this year on one of their homebreds. ETA I’m riding another CC horse in my avatar.



A selection of photos from other days.







The on site bistro is a destination in its own right, and is the perfect place to relax before or after riding.

 

[Skib]

That is beautiful. We almost went years ago when I was a beginner but I was a bit nervous of not cantering so we didnt.

 

[2ndtimearound]

I’d definitely second Cannock Chase Trekking Centre for somewhere to go if you just want to do a couple of hours a day. But then I'm possibly even more biased than Tiddlypom, as it’s pretty much my second home. My avatar is on one of their horses, and that’s me on the buckskin in the second to last of TP’s photos. It’s also worth mentioning there’s very little road work aside from at least one road to cross on the way out and back, and occasionally a short stretch of no more than 100 yards of a very quiet road, depending on the route. I’ve had ‘riding holidays’ there myself where I’ve ridden several days in a row, but driving home every day. There are plenty of places you could stay fairly close by (easy driving distance, at least).

I also had a fabulous 2-hour hack from Pine Lodge in Dulverton when I was on holiday in Somerset in the autumn. Much smaller scale than Cannock Chase Trekking Centre and more road work, but it comes a decent second in terms of my favourite places to ride.

 

[Kirstd33]

I’ll also cast a vote for Cannock Chase as my teenage daughter and I experienced one of their faster paced 2hr sunday morning hacks earlier this year. Don’t be too put off by the title the canters were steady, over nice flat or sightly uphill terrain and you are matched to the horse so well by the owner who gets involved at every stage and accompanies practically all the rides. I rode an amazing warmblod home bred mare who literally would be worth 5 figures who was forward going and fun and my daughter a gorgeous sec D who was more sedate and nuturing. Can’t wait to go back again in the spring. If I lived closer I wouldn’t even bother having my own I’d just ride there.