Serious horsey holiday suggestions please!

[millreef]

I find myself with about 4- 5 weeks in the summer with no particular place to go for the first time in donkeys years. So I thought I'd brush up on my competition practice and get myself an equine holiday. Easier said than done! I'm looking for suggestions for myself and daughter, she is aged 14 and I am not. We're competing at unaffiliated, jump under a meter and love all disciplines. We don't mind where in the world but want expert advice and a unique experience. We don't want to be happy hackers, although some hacking would be nice. Are there any such places available which won't break the bank? I feel that many of the holidays advertised don't seem to fulfil the requirement of being able to polish our riding.
Help Horse and Hound People!

 

[millreef]

bump.... anyone?

 

[Arizahn]

Castle Leslie in Ireland is supposed to be lovely, fellow livery has been there a few times now.

 

[Lauren_xx]

I'm planning a horsey holiday for this year and next but am looking for something much more laid back but thought I'd post a couple of links of the websites I've come across who are very good, they may be worth a look around if you haven't checked them out already! I definitely remember seeing a very nice looking dressage place in Spain I think it could have been so could be a few on there up your street.

http://www.farandride.com/

http://www.unicorntrails.com/

http://www.ranchrider.com/ - probably not much use but still some fantastic hols!

http://www.inthesaddle.com/

http://www.equestrian-escapes.com/

Good luck with your search

 

[flurryjuno]

Castle Leslie is apparently amazing, my friends go down with/without their horses in the summer and stay and say its brilliant. Unfortunately I haven't been but that's the only one I know off

http://www.castleleslie.com/

 

[california dreaming]

How about Georges Ranch in Cyprus. They will give you excellent jumping lessons and dressage on their horses. Caroline, the owner competes internationally, I believe. You can't stay there but there are plenty of lovely places near by. Also you can hack along the beautiful sea caves.

 

[irishdraft]

I went to flowerhill equestrian in ireland ( Oliver Walsh Galway Blazers )a few years ago for an instructional holiday, a french chap was doing it but cannot remember his name, but they still do instructional holidays and have good facilities

 

[Dinkz82]

Several years ago I went to the Yorkshire Riding Centre, good facilities and horses plus lovely food in the farmhouse accommodation. You can select more experienced instructors to concentrate on a specific area as I remember.

 

[millreef]

Thanks for taking the time to help, I'll start researching your suggestions.

 

[paddi22]

anna harvey in ireland is great as well. Lovely guesthouse and the teaching is brilliant, indoor, outdoors and good cross country. they do intensive riding holidays. not as fancy as castle leslie, but way cheaper
http://www.annaharveyfarm.ie/riding-holiday-ireland

 

[shadowboy]

My husband and I went to the Azores with in the saddle- it was excellent. They have a great place with an arena and beautiful Portuguese horses. Or they have a great place in California amongst the redwoods!!

 

[Annie B.]

If you are after some where to take your own horses have a look on Yorkshire Riding Centre website it is owned by Chris Bartle who trained the German Olympic eventing team. They do courses where you train each morning and afternoon flat work and jumping available.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Far and Ride (who Lauren linked to above) is my family company so please feel free to PM me or send us an email if you'd like any suggestions or have any questions.

 

[calmgirl]

I was going to suggest Castle Lesley but I see a few others beat me to it. Great hacking and xc. Mad gallops and a range of lovely horses cobs to tbs who know the xc better than you and take you round lol

 

[Brownmare]

viola on here used to work at a place in Portugal that sounded amazing but can't remember the name for the life of me. ..


Found it! It's called Hippikos in Northern Portugal
http://www.hippikos.pt/

 

[HollyWoozle]

Hippikos is pretty incredible and is what I first thought of when reading this topic. Having said that, it is expensive and that puts it out of budget for a lot of people (though I think the price is fair for the standard of horses and tuition!).

 

[viola]

I find myself with about 4- 5 weeks in the summer with no particular place to go for the first time in donkeys years. So I thought I'd brush up on my competition practice and get myself an equine holiday. Easier said than done! I'm looking for suggestions for myself and daughter, she is aged 14 and I am not. We're competing at unaffiliated, jump under a meter and love all disciplines. We don't mind where in the world but want expert advice and a unique experience. We don't want to be happy hackers, although some hacking would be nice. Are there any such places available which won't break the bank? I feel that many of the holidays advertised don't seem to fulfil the requirement of being able to polish our riding.
Help Horse and Hound People!

I have PM'd you

 

[viola]

viola on here used to work at a place in Portugal that sounded amazing but can't remember the name for the life of me. ..


Found it! It's called Hippikos in Northern Portugal
http://www.hippikos.pt/

I did and can fully recommend Hippikos for training holidays, absolutely fabulous but expensive indeed.

I am organising a training trip myself this summer so have PM'd millreef with details as don't want to be accused of forum advertising

 

[Lolita]

One of my friends did a holiday in Botswana, said it was very good but very tiring. Ill see if I can find the name.

 

[Naryafluffy]

Last year Talland Equestrian (Pammy Hutton) put a thing on FB for people who were interested in working at the yard in exchange for lessons (I think it could include accomdation but not 100% on that), might be worth looking at, huge yard, knowledgable people for lessons, if I had the time I would have jumped at the chance. Know you don't want to break the bank but this one I would love to do http://www.equestrian-escapes.com/riding-holidays-Spain-Rafael-Soto/ !!!!

 

[buzzles]

Bel Air Equestrian centre and hotel in Ireland