Suggestions for a good riding break

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yellowdun

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I am looking for somewhere that can cater for a beginner and an experienced rider. Somewhere that can give lessons and cater for my friend (beginner) on a hack- a nice safe cob type horse for her is ideal, but that can also provide me with a sensible horse to ride out on. We would like off road riding.

The other want/need is for it to be within an hour of some decent shops and maybe a day spa (although that isnt essential- the shops are:D).

It can be anywhere in the UK, or Ireland. Poss abroad, but that is a last resport due to time.

If you know anywhere we should stay away from, please PM me too:)

Thanks
 
The best riding holiday I have ever had was at Lydford in Devon.

They have a range of horses to suit all and they do lessons and the hacking is out of this world!

My brother was a novice and I was experienced, we could have lessons together or as individuals and on the hacking there are usually 2 groups minimum, 1 group for novices which is a nice hack with no galloping, jumping etc and the other group is for experienced who want to gallop and jump, its perfect as you can hack together but have your own times apart for your experience level. The hacks can be 1 hour to all day, the all day ones or half day ones are fantastic, I went to Tarr steps and we had a pub lunch which was brilliant.

I don't know about places nearby for a Spa Day but Okehampton and Launceston are nearby (10 miles) to provide you with decent shopping.

One of the highlights for me was visiting Trago Mills in Newton Abbot (about 40 miles from Lydford) as they have a huge equestrian section. Trago Mills is a discount store, a bit like Lidl's I suppose but they do stock niiiice things as well as budget, I got a pair of Regent long leather boots for £40 and 3 pairs of Harry Hall jods for £20!! Clothing, hats, feed, rugs, tack... you name it they have it!

Are you sold yet? :D

If you want I can scan you some pics of my holiday there.

2 links follow

http://www.equinetourism.co.uk/accommodation/lydfordhouse.asp

http://www.lydfordcountryhouse.co.uk/equine.htm

P.S. I should mention that I went in 1997 so the above info is for back then but from the websites it doesn't look like it's changed much! :)

P.P.S... Trago Mills website

http://www.trago.co.uk/center/Newton_Abbot.html
 
Lydford very friendly small yard, gorgeous place too (so recommend walking the gorge). On edge of Dartmoor national park, miles of riding no issue & the most stunning views.

Another place that may suit you is Golden Castle equestrian centre in Wales. I know the owners through endurance, very nice people. Went on their website once, & they do try discipline weekends, so if you'd wanted a go at dressage, or endurance, you get so many hours tuition beforehand then go out & do a competition. Thought that was a really good idea.
 
Murthwaite Green in the Lake District is another good place - I took my non-riding little sister on a weekend there. We had a lesson in their little school on the first morning, where they got her walking, trotting and even cantering (ok, not elegant, but safe on the pony they had chosen for her), while I did some jumpies (first time I'd jumped in years due to a loss of nerve, I was :D), then we went to the beach in the afternoon. They split their rides up, so one group will walk and trot on ahead while the others wait, then canter to catch up. (No one has to canter of course, they can just keep swapping into the walking / trotting group). The experienced riders can have a blast down the beach, while the more novice riders can either not canter or have a gentle little bimble - their horses know and love their jobs and go from super speedy and safe to just safe as houses. Seeing my little sister's face when she had her first beach canter was brilliant:)

Really can't recommend it highly enough! http://www.murthwaitegreen.co.uk/
 
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