Cross Country and Tuition in the Golden Vale, 2009

Emma & Holly, Far and Ride

Ireland is a place renowned not only for its friendly people and lush countryside but also for the quality of its horses. We were therefore eager to find the quintessential Irish ride to offer our clients, and think we’ve done just that. In October this year, Holly and Emma headed out to Country Limerick in Southwestern Ireland, to the heart of verdant Golden Vale, in order to trial what we hoped would be an excellent destination for riders.

We had high hopes for this trip and we were not disappointed! From the friendly driver who collected us from Shannon airport to our warm reception at the riding centre, we were made to feel happy and welcome here. In fact, everyone we encountered (including locals in the street) was delightful! For our fleeting one night stay we were accommodated in the luxurious 4 star hotel, The Dunraven Arms, situated in charming village of Adare. This provided wonderful lodging of a high standard – the room was decorated beautifully and the beds were superbly comfortable. This hotel is the ideal option for those who enjoy a more indulgent holiday and it has a number of wonderful facilities and friendly, horse loving owners and staff (the hotel itself is involved in arranging local hunt days). The breakfast was also a real treat with so many options, a delicious way to start a day of riding.

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Emma & Holly, Far and Rddide

Sierra de Mijas, 2009

Emma & Holly, Far and Ride

Early September, we decided to pay a visit to our Sierra de Mijas ride in Spain to trial not only the riding but the destination as an entire package. The sun was shining as we arrived on Saturday lunchtime, having driven a short journey (around 30 minutes) from Malaga airport, just in time to enjoy a meal with the other guests. The lunches here tend to be simple salads, complemented with bread, aioli (which becomes oddly addictive) and olives. To each table there is a jug of water and some sweet sangria to accompany your meal and this went well with the hearty, delicious dinners which often feature a Spanish flair. Meals are taken in an open but roofed dining area which is decorated in a pretty way and where there is often music playing. Tables here are large, great for socialising with fellow guests, but due to the openness of the room you should be prepared to see flies around and the odd little lizard poking his head out of the ceiling rafters at you. The majority of guests here are German, as this is a German owned and run establishment, but their English is wonderful and they were friendly and talkative with both of us. The guides here are also German and you are given a great chance to get to know them as they act as hostesses throughout your stay – they care for and prepare the horses, lead the rides and even act as waitresses during your mealtimes.

There are 26 rooms on the Finca and although they are quite simplistic, all have a daily maid service and are clean, pleasant and good value when considering the cost of the packages. We shared a large room with a patio overlooking the horses. Our room had air conditioning, a welcome addition for those who cannot take the heat (ie. Holly), and the adjoining shower room was clean with a good sized shower and plenty of hot water. All the tap water here is safe to drink and we’d advise that you take a bottle to keep in your room and carry around with you. During the rides the guides take water bottles in their saddle bags and will pause now and then for everyone to have some.

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Transylvania Adventures, 2009
Emma Thompson, Far and Ride

This beautiful riding country is complemented by the exceptionally friendly and polite people living there. I was met at the arrivals lounge by a friendly man holding a clearly marked sign. During my transfer I was then to catch a glimpse of the local way of life on my two hour journey from Cluj Napoca airport to the Calamani mountain lodge. The remote villages are full of locals hard at work on their land, farming in a traditional way with their horses. They then sell their fresh produce on the side of the road. The stunning scenery is green, full of open spaces, rolling hills and mountains.

I met Ovidiu, the hist in T.G Mures for lunch before visiting a local stud of various breeds, but mainly Romanian Sports horses. The last part of the transfer journey to the mountain lodge runs alongside a picturesque river that glistened in the sun, with a railway line at the base of the mountain. We turned onto a gravel road at the foot of the fir-tree covered mountain and travelled for a further ten minutes to the remote and beautiful destination of the lodge.

I was greeted by the house-keeper, Marta, her husband and another local man who were responsible for carrying out the maintenance work in and around the lodge and for looking after the horses and animals. Marta was very kind and she cooked hearty, freshly prepared, organic meals (with plenty on offer). The hosts, workers and the local Romania people are very kind and polite, you will be looked after me extremely well, and nothing is too much trouble.

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Desert Trail, 2006
Adrian F.

Once outside of the cities everyone that I met in Namibia was warm and friendly.  I really got the feeling that they knew the value of tourism to their country.  The group was led by Waldi, the owner of the business and a great horse woman.  On our trip she was aided by four others.

It was all well organised, we would leave camp in the morning, ride all day, and at our destination camp had been set up.  Don’t get me wrong, this is not luxury camping but the food was good and we even got a hot shower every night on the trail.

The food was always fresh and plentiful whether in camp or in accommodation.  While camping the brai or barbeque is the weapon of choice for our bush cooks.  Somehow they managed something tasty and different every night.  Grilled Zebra, springbok, gemsbok and wild boar.  Breakfast is simple with plentiful real coffee.  Most days we would each pack a lunch.

The terrain you encounter is varied from wide open harsh desert (the Namib is known as the land God created in anger!) to canyons, river beds and mountains.  You ride at least six hours on most days.  Although some of our group found it hard the great satisfaction at the end of each day soon made you forget about any aches.  Our longest day in the saddle was eight or nine hours, we covered around eighty kilometres of difficult terrain that day.

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Lot Valley, April 2009

Emma Thompson, Far and Ride

I took a cheap and easy flight with Ryanair from London Stansted to Rodez and the transfer to the gite took 45 minutes.  On arrival in the evening I walked into a relaxed atmosphere to find people talking around the roaring wood burner.  Amongst the guests there were two sisters, Vanessa and Jayne on their sixth visit and one of Far and Ride’s good friends on her second visit to the Lot Valley, following her first visit at Christmas time.

I was handed a glass of wine and sat down at the large wooden dining table for an introductory chat, whilst eating some snacks which consisted of some seriously tasty homemade pate, fresh bread, Toulouse sausage, homemade quiche and a selection of cheeses. After the travelling, chatting, food and drink it was time to retire to my suitably comfortable bedroom. All rooms are en-suite, they provide towels, offer large mirrors and hairdryers (important for some!!).  The furniture throughout the gite is traditional in its French style with an air of shabby chic in the bedrooms.

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Sierra Nevada, September 2008
Lucy M.

As we were flying into Granada, we decided to arrive on a Friday and spend Saturday and Sunday visiting the Alhambra and other areas of this beautiful city.  This is well worth doing, particularly as Manolo (who owns and runs the riding school) will pick you up from your hotel.

On arriving at the cave hotel we were delighted by our accommodation.  We had a sitting room, small kitchen, shower room and bedroom.  Part of this accommodation was dug into the hillside, so you sleep in a cave and the whole ‘cottage’ retains a perfect temperature whether hot or cool outside.  When you are not riding there is a small pool where you can swim and sunbathe whilst enjoying the lovely views – we had the pool all to ourselves when we were there!  The food at the hotel is excellent – good traditional Spanish food with lots of local dishes.

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The Lot Valley, December 2008
Tabatha

I decided I wanted to do something different for Christmas and always wanted to ride a horse, so I decided to roll both into one and gave Lot Valley a try.  As a complete beginner, I managed to squeeze in two riding lessons from a conventional riding school before my trip. The overall goal of my trip was to gain experience riding and grooming and to be comfortable around horses.  Derek met me and a couple of other guests at the airport in Toulouse (the closest airport in Rodez is closed during the winter). There was a very pleasant and scenic two hour drive from the airport to Asprieres.  Entering the Lot Valley region from the highway was beautiful, there were several small villages along the way and varied levels of terrain with beautiful scenery all around.  Asprieres is a beautiful old village.

The gîte was relaxing, warm, welcoming and well decorated.  The living area is large and airy with a large dining table; the kitchen is large and always fully stocked.  There’s a pool (not for winter use though).  Each bedroom was a good size, cute and quirky with an en-suite.  Across the road is the first of several fields with horses, so it was a pleasure to open the window every morning to be greeted by one or some of the many horses there.

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Stationary programme, Farmhouse Tuscany Ride, June 2008
Julia H.

I visited the Farmhouse Tuscany in June 2008.  This was my first holiday on my own and I decided to make it an activity holiday and chose horse riding.  I’d looked at various venues but kept coming back to Tuscany and to Franco’s Farm in particular.

Everything about the place appealed to me and I was not disappointed, in fact this is one of the best holidays I have ever experienced.  From the location, the horses, the food and especially the people – everything was just wonderful.

The farmhouse is 1,000 years old and has lots of character.  From the outset the welcome you receive from Raimonda, Franco and the rest of the “gang” is warm, open and friendly and they do their best to make you feel at home.

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Alpujarra Ride programme,  Andalucia Trail Ride, September 2008
Lisa H.

What’s the best thing my husband could have bought me for my 40th? Diamonds? Sports car? No, a heavenly week riding in the Alpujarras!

From the moment I was greeted by friendly Ali at Malaga, I fell straight into horsey holiday mode. He gave me plenty of info on the journey to my accommodation on everything from the horses, my lovely guide Laura, and the surrounding areas.

I was taken to Casa del Viento above the town of Lanjaron for my first evening. Ann, my host, was fab and showed me to my rustic farmhouse style cottage. The view across the valley and into Lanjaron is wonderful. Time for a snooze on my private terrace, dip in the pool, then dinner prepared and served by Ann in her own home! You eat with whoever else happens to be on holiday there at the same time, and it’s a great way to socialise. I was alone, but was made to feel part of Ann’s extended family from the first day.

It was an early start the next day and off into the mountains to meet my horse and begin the adventure. We rode by Capileira- one of the highest towns in Spain and across the Poqueria valley, plenty of canters and some hair-raising descents! The horses behaved impeccably but were also forward going and exciting to ride. Laura is a fun and informative guide and her love of horses shines out of her.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch high in the mountains before the ride back down to Chris and Dave’s mountain cottages for our night’s stay and a delicious dinner in their home.

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Lipizzaner Dressage, Slovenia, 11-14 October 2008

My first impression of the stud as we were driven down the main drive was the stunning sight of Lipizzaner horses, the brood mares and young stock in large natural herds.

I was then met by Uljana and my trip started with a tour of the stud, visiting each individual block, I met the performance and breeding stallions, mares used for carriage driving, those starting the educational life and the school horses used for lessons. Amongst them was Favory Canissa XXII, the 16 year old stallion that was presented to Queen Elizabeth II the following week. With such a vast number of horses it was impressive to see everywhere was immaculate from the yards to the stables, and the horses themselves of course, in a calm and relaxed atmosphere throughout the centre.

I was shown around the rest of the centre including the large indoor arena, with seating area, used for performances. This arena is bright and impressive, and I was lucky enough to see the professionals schooling their stallions, so effortlessly and calm. Joining this arena is a smaller warm up arena, another large indoor arena where the client lessons take place. Outside there are three smaller outdoor arenas, a large horse walker and a very large outdoor arena, with seating where national and international events are held. This is all situated in acres upon acres of pastureland, surrounded by trees.

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