Far and Ride are organising an escorted trip for the Calamani Mountains trail from theTransylvania Adventures ride, Romania 13 – 21 June. Far and Ride’s Emma will ride alongside you during the week long point to point trail.

This is a fantastic opportunity for single travellers to join an organised adventure to an unspoilt country, rich in history and culture.  It is suitable for intermediate riders and above. 

We are also pleased to offer a 10% discount off all of the Transylvania programmes (singles or small groups) and an further 5% discount for groups of six persons or more on bookings confirmed before the 31 March 2009.

If you are interested in joining this ride, 13 – 21 June, then please contact us.

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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We are pleased to announce we have recently added two new rides to our complement:

Australia

Far and Ride are now offering a fabulous trail ride in Australia, where excellent tuition can also be provided. They can cater for all ages, abilities and for non riders. This ride will take you to the pristine beaches of Australia.  Maybe you fancy a ride in the bush, where you will find no traffic, just kangaroos, cows, 6,000 acres and a barbie in the middle of nowhere. Following your day in the saddle, they can arrange a massage, sauna, spa, swim, facial, pedicure or aromatherapy. 

The ride is owned and managed Alex and his qualified staff, including Operations Manager, Geoff Moore. Alex is an Olympian in Modern Pentathlon, which comprises of running, swimming, fencing, shooting and show jumping;  representing Australia at 3 Olympic games. He competed in Los Angeles (84), Seoul (88) and Barcelona (92).

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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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We are delighted to announce a new destination in southern Turkey, the Taurus Ranch Hotel ride. Turkey, with its diverse landscape from valleys to mountains makes for a unique horse riding destination. A rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East, the people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality and the cuisine is to die for.

This superb destination, ideal for horse riders of all kinds from honeymooners to families, is located on one of the most beautiful coasts of Turkey. Offering excellent hotel facilities plus the whole range of riding experience, the Taurus Hotel Ranch is situated 50km from Antalya and 2.5km from the local beach. The ranch lies among pine forests facing the spectacular volcanic Twin Peaks and a huge range of activities is available for all.

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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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Today Queen Elizabeth II has visited our riding destination in Slovenia, to watch a classical dressage demonstration from the team at our Lipizzaner Dressage ride.

After watching the team perform on the famous white Lipizzaner horse, the Queen was presented with one such horse as a gift. The 16 year old stallion Favory Canissa XXII, nicknamed Kanizo, was presented to the Queen, but will remain at the farm to continue giving performances.

By tradition Lipizzaners get their names from the their parents. Colts have two names; Favory Canissa XXII is named after his sire, Favory, and mare, Canissa XXII. Filly’s have only a single name, given from their mare and the number incremented accordingly, for example a filly from the same mare as Kanizo would be named Canissa XXIII.

Far and Ride’s Emma Thompson visited the destination last week to see how preparations for the Royal visit were coming along. Whilst there, Emma watched a performance from the team that performed for the Queen and Prince Philip, and took a few lessons in dressage from the experts.

However, perhaps most importantly was Emma, pictured, taking the time to reassure Kanizo that his new owner wasn’t going to take him away, and he would get to continue doing what he loved.

Lipizzaners have been bred at the stud farm in the rural village of Lipica since 1580 and have survived war, occupation, and even capture by the Nazis. The stud is acclaimed for both its breeding of the horse, which are born black before turning white, and its world renowned team of dressage riders and carriage drivers who perform exclusively with the Lipizzaners.

The stud farm is a popular holiday destination, providing a hotel, golf and tennis courses, and a range of nearby activities from exploring caves to wine tasting. The biggest attraction, of course, is the opportunity for visitors to ride the famous Lipizzaners themselves, and receive lessons in classical dressage from the experts.

For those interested in visiting Lipica either to learn dressage themselves, or simply to watch the performances from the professionals, trips can be booked now, please contact us by phone or email.

For more information about exactly what is on offer, please visit our Lipizzaner Dressage ride page.

For the first time ever, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are to visit Slovenia this coming Tuesday. The Slovenian President Danilo Tuerk will host their visit, as they tour various parts of Slovenia over several days.

On the second day of their visit, they will visit the Lipica Stud Farm, established over 400 years ago, in 1580. The Queen will view a classical dressage performance, given by the expert riders on the famous Lipizzaner horse. The team have put together a special performance, which the Queen will see in their on site arena (pictured, as they performed last week preparing for her visit).

The monarch will be presented with one such horse as a gift, though the horse will continue to live at the farm, where it is part of the team of horses used for the dressage performances.

Far and Ride are the exclusive UK agent for holidays to the Lipica Stud Farm, and visited the farm last week to catch up with the team as they got ready for the Queen’s visit. If you are interested in not only watching a performance from the expert dressage riders, but also to take lessons from them on the famous white horse, then please don’t hesitate to visit our Lipizzaner Dressage ride page or phone us to discuss your own visit there.

Bordeaux Breaks Ride, Summer 2008
Nicola S.

At the somewhat advanced age of 50 I decided to learn to ride. I’d always had the idea that I would enjoy riding but had never done anything about it, on the basis that it was now or never I had my first even lesson in January 2008 and loved it. I realised that it was going to be a slow process. It took me three attempts to pass my driving test at the age of 17! I’m not a quick learner of anything that requires hand-eye co-ordination.

I was talking to a horsey friend about my situation; wanting to improve my riding, but not having the time or the money for more than one lesson a week and she said “have you considered a riding holiday”, at that point I hadn’t but as she spoke I thought “that’s a good idea”.  I also thought that I could combine riding with being somewhere I enjoy, preferably somewhere with better weather than rainy England. So I went home and got googling which is how I discovered “Far & Ride”. I browsed the website and realised that what I wanted, lessons rather than trekking, was a less common option. So I emailed in and asked for advice. A list of possible holiday destination was emailed to me and I chose Bordeaux Breaks.

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