Thelwell_Girl
Well-Known Member
If you're a tad confused, this link explains 
Eire was amazing! Such a wonderful country, and hey, it must be great, cos Im irish too
We started off in Wales, visited Portmerion, and stayed overnight in a lovely B&B. Then hopped on the ferry and stayed in the GORGEOUS Wicklow Mountains! Such lovely people, and as they were a farm they even had a pet orphaned cow for me to hug
Next we drove to Kerry, staying in Ballyheigue where I got to see my two best friends! They have the hugest family I think Ive ever seen
Then, we drove aaallll the way back up the republic to County Sligo! We stayed in Markree Castle (which my mum is now convinced has haunted toilets - a whole other story!) and this is where I got to ride!
~
We drove to the yard in the morning to have a look around the stables/yard and were greeted by the cuddliest, sweetest Doberman I've ever seen! He happily trotted after us into the office, where we met a nice enthusiastic young lad who pointed us to the stables. All seemed good, most of the horses were being used in a lesson so the stables seemed SO quiet! I'm just not used to it, and it felt a bit weird, but the horses we did see seemed lovely
Off we toddled to Sligo to mooch around the shops/try and find some food for my dad (being vegan in Ireland... NOT the best idea!), then got changed into my riding stuff and got to the yard.
I was given a lovely cobby lad called Navajo, and found out it was just gonna be me and the guy taking me! This felt a tad weird, but hey, I had a two hour ride ahead of me I wasnt complaining!
Hopped on in the sand school, and off we go. We went all throught the castle grounds, and onto bridleways and back again. As we walked past the castle at the beginning we stopped to let some littlies stroke the horses and I saw my parents walk past
Now, me and the guide hadnt spoken much, but we got to a nice stretch of grass, then he said those fateful words. 'Ready for a canter?' I gathered my reins, kicked on and we were OFF! It was simply amazing I havent cantered out in the open since i was in year 7, and even then I'd been clinging on for dear life! This time, I took a forward seat, put my trust in Navajo and had an absoloute blast!
Going up one of the tracks on the way back, we even had a few strides of gallop I felt he was getting a bit strong, so a gentle squeeze on the reins brought him back to a nice steady canter, and we raced down the path.
What was kind of funny was that I had the bigger horse! Admittedly he was calmer than Mark's horse, as his little ginger mare did NOT like gates! So we'd open a gate, I'd scoot through and wait for him, when Navajo started getting all jiggy and bothered. I didnt know what was up, until when he turned around, saw the other horse and calmed right down. He was just a bit scared about being in front, bless him
I had the most amazing ride! All i could say when I got off was 'Mum we went so FAST!'
I wouldnt hesitate to recommend Markree Castle Riding Stables, they were lovely, and gave me an opportunity I would never normally have!
The only bad thing? The great bruise/scrape on my knee after getting squished into a gate!
~
Thanks for listening to my epic tale More pics to follow!
TG xx
Eire was amazing! Such a wonderful country, and hey, it must be great, cos Im irish too
We started off in Wales, visited Portmerion, and stayed overnight in a lovely B&B. Then hopped on the ferry and stayed in the GORGEOUS Wicklow Mountains! Such lovely people, and as they were a farm they even had a pet orphaned cow for me to hug
Next we drove to Kerry, staying in Ballyheigue where I got to see my two best friends! They have the hugest family I think Ive ever seen Then, we drove aaallll the way back up the republic to County Sligo! We stayed in Markree Castle (which my mum is now convinced has haunted toilets - a whole other story!) and this is where I got to ride!
~
We drove to the yard in the morning to have a look around the stables/yard and were greeted by the cuddliest, sweetest Doberman I've ever seen! He happily trotted after us into the office, where we met a nice enthusiastic young lad who pointed us to the stables. All seemed good, most of the horses were being used in a lesson so the stables seemed SO quiet! I'm just not used to it, and it felt a bit weird, but the horses we did see seemed lovely
Off we toddled to Sligo to mooch around the shops/try and find some food for my dad (being vegan in Ireland... NOT the best idea!), then got changed into my riding stuff and got to the yard.
I was given a lovely cobby lad called Navajo, and found out it was just gonna be me and the guy taking me! This felt a tad weird, but hey, I had a two hour ride ahead of me I wasnt complaining!
Hopped on in the sand school, and off we go. We went all throught the castle grounds, and onto bridleways and back again. As we walked past the castle at the beginning we stopped to let some littlies stroke the horses and I saw my parents walk past
Now, me and the guide hadnt spoken much, but we got to a nice stretch of grass, then he said those fateful words. 'Ready for a canter?' I gathered my reins, kicked on and we were OFF! It was simply amazing
I havent cantered out in the open since i was in year 7, and even then I'd been clinging on for dear life! This time, I took a forward seat, put my trust in Navajo and had an absoloute blast!Going up one of the tracks on the way back, we even had a few strides of gallop
I felt he was getting a bit strong, so a gentle squeeze on the reins brought him back to a nice steady canter, and we raced down the path.What was kind of funny was that I had the bigger horse! Admittedly he was calmer than Mark's horse, as his little ginger mare did NOT like gates! So we'd open a gate, I'd scoot through and wait for him, when Navajo started getting all jiggy and bothered. I didnt know what was up, until when he turned around, saw the other horse and calmed right down. He was just a bit scared about being in front, bless him
I had the most amazing ride! All i could say when I got off was 'Mum we went so FAST!'
I wouldnt hesitate to recommend Markree Castle Riding Stables, they were lovely, and gave me an opportunity I would never normally have!
The only bad thing? The great bruise/scrape on my knee after getting squished into a gate!
~
Thanks for listening to my epic tale
More pics to follow!TG xx
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It felt odd, as Im so used to riding horses who Ive really bonded with, like Evil Bonnie, Albert, Dawi etc. With Navajo, he was lovely, but I just didnt seem to get him working!
