Riding in Cyprus ?

[TrasaM]

OH will be moving to Cyprus in a couple of months to start his new job. For the past few years he's been based in the UAE and although I've managed to ride there the climate has made it a bit uncomfortable. So great excitement here about his move to a more agreeable climate.

Has anyone ridden there or lived in Cyprus ? What are the facilities for riding like? I've got a pleasant picture in my mind of hacking across beautiful countryside and being able to maybe loan a horse.

 

[pansymouse]

My friend was in the army and posted to Cyprus. She was heavily involved with the Saddle Club and really enjoyed the riding. I'm sure the civilian riding is just as nice.

 

[Irishbabygirl]

My husbands parents have a house over there so we've been lots of times!
That saddle club is based on the barracks but you can ride there - that's where we rode.
It's called Dekalia I think...

 

[Irishbabygirl]

Dhekeliasaddleclub.com

 

[Qru]

Hi,
I live in Cyprus currently and there are quite a few places around the island to ride so it just depends on where you'll be.

If you'll be on an army base, both Episkopi and Akrotiri in limassol have base run saddle-clubs (I'm at the Episkopi one and it's fab) which offer everything - hacks/loan horses/lessons.

If you're up in dhekalia, there's dhekalia saddle club which used to be base run but is now privately run.
They all have good facilities - there's an XC course at each club (Episkopi probably has the best kept one though) sand arenas aswell and most of the horses are out 24/7.

All of the above clubs take part in CICC which is where a number of registered clubs across the island compete - each club gets a chance to host it and theres one every month during the competing season. They're one day dressage and jumping events.

Every year there's a two-day event called the All-Island where the majority of the riding schools all participate in jumping/dressage/XC and this is usually held at the Episkopi saddle club.

And yes, the hacking is lovely. Atm we're holding fortnightly evening hacks to the orange groves that are down the road from our club and ofc you can book a hack at any time if you so wish!

I hope that helps! And if you have any more questions - just ask

 

[Qru]

Oops just re-read your post and realized it said nothing about being in the military!
Let me know what part of the island you'll be based in and I can be more useful!

 

[TrasaM]

Thank you all so much for your advice and responses. OH will be working at the Airport(s) so not sure yet where we will be based. First priority will be sorting accommodation and getting a feel of where we like and is easy travel wise for his work. It just keeps getting better and better :-D

Qru.. Thank you for the detailed info. Would it be ok to PM you for advice on trainers / instructors nearer the time?

 

[Qru]

Thank you for the detailed info. Would it be ok to PM you for advice on trainers / instructors nearer the time?

Yes, of course!

 

[s90]

Hi,

If you end up in Larnaca (quite likely as this is the biggest airport) there are 2 stables I know of, Salt Lake and Dhekelia Saddle Club. I've ridden at Dhekelia for a few years up until my move to the UK a few months ago. They've always been absolutely fab, and even gave my boy a loving home when he needed one. They have good off-road hacking (or a polo field to gallop around if you don't feel like going out), a X-country course, and high level dressage instructors coming in every few months. They've always got plenty of horses for loan as well. They compete in as many of the CICC's as possible which are always great fun.
Hope this helps as well, and like Qru said if you have any more questions feel free to ask

 

[Lambkins]

I'm getting married in protaras in may .. Come along haha or we could meet up for a ride ?? Like the sound of the orange grove hack

 

[TrasaM]

After yesterday's horse spook slip and fall I'm liking the words "off road" very much. Lambkins keep me posted on the wedding

S90 -- Thank you for the info. I'm really looking forward to getting out there. Job starts in November so just in time to escape British winter.

 

[TrasaM]

So here I am. First impressions are good. Tomorrow I'm off to find the riding club in Dhekelia and have a look around. Website says for £50 a month membership you can have 2 lessons a week or a hack! Fingers crossed its as good as it sounds. Any other members about in the area please get in touch. I'm currently in Pervolia.

 

[horsimous]

Not in Cyprus any more but wishing I was! Hope you have a lovely time, the riding is good fun and you'll probably find a few TBs needing homes lol.

 

[KVH]

Nothing useful to add but to say good luck and I hope you settle in quickly.
I am a tad jealous I have to say!

 

[TrasaM]

Nothing useful to add but to say good luck and I hope you settle in quickly.
I am a tad jealous I have to say!

Thank you. Weather is lovely here at the moment. We went to Nicosia today and am getting a sense of my surroundings so hopefully won't get too badly lost.

At Horsimous. I think I'm really going to like it here and may well revise my plans and up the amount of time I'll be here. Exciting!

Meanwhile looking at UK weather..yuk! Brrrrrhhhhh (((())))

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

Can't believe how many of us were over there!

Dhekelia used to be lovely, sadly things changed but think it's okay now. Rode there for like 7 years Also rode at Salt Lake (PM me if you want to know more about that...disaster) Epi is lovely and so is lapatsa if you're into your showjumping
Feel free to message me about anything else...Cyprus is a very small place and i lived there for 12 years x

 

[california dreaming]

Caroline at Ride in Cyprus in Lysos is brilliant. She does lovely hacking and has lovely horses. Georges Ranch near Coral Bay is also very good. Excellent jumping lessons and hacking round the Sea Cave area. If your near Limassol, there is the Curium Equestrian Centre that offers first class riding activities. There are a few more if you can look them up on the web site too.