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Flowerhill Equestrian

Overview

Flowerhill Equestrian is a dream for riders who love to jump or for those looking to improve their jumping skills and confidence - located on 250 acres of glorious countryside and with a range of fences, it's an authentic taste of Ireland and its horsemanship. Your host, Oliver, is a former field m…

Highlights

  • World-renowned cross country destination
  • Top quality Irish horses who love to jump
  • Huge range of fences and obstacles
  • Experience real Irish horse culture
  • Fantastic hostesses in the B&Bs

Essential Facts

  • 4 itineraries available
  • Max 10 riders per group
  • Average of 2 - 4 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 16 st / 224lbs / 102kg.
    more info

Description

Flowerhill Equestrian is a dream for riders who love to jump or for those looking to improve their jumping skills and confidence - located on 250 acres of glorious countryside and with a range of fences, it's an authentic taste of Ireland and its horsemanship. Your host, Oliver, is a former field master and current huntsman. He has a range of working horses and his team will match you to suitable steeds which they feel are safe and enjoyable mounts for you. The horses have good jumping and hunting experience, courage and common sense.

This riding centre offers a huge range of obstacles with approximately 150 fences. These include walls, logs, ditches and manmade fences with many offering two or more height options allowing for different experience levels. All riders should be confident at walk, trot and canter with some basic jumping experience, but nervous jumpers will find plenty of smaller, inviting fences whilst the confident riders can feel more challenged. Those who prefer not to jump can still enjoy cantering the open fields or wading in the lakes and rivers, as well as joining in with exercising Oliver's hounds.

Guests are accommodated in one of two welcoming B&Bs, just a short drive from the stables, or in Flowerhill House on a self-catering basis. Both B&Bs provide you with packed lunches for the riding days but one also offers a full board option. There are lots of great pubs and restaurants in the area which provide wonderful evening meals and entertainment, these are a short drive from Flowerhill or within walking distance if you choose the B&B in town.

Team member Holly has visited and ridden here on several occasions - please contact the office to chat with her about it.

Horses & Riding

Tack

English.

Horses

Flowerhill horses come in all shapes and sizes but are primarily Irish Sport Horses, cobs and ponies. They are brave and well-cared for.

Riding

There are 4 itineraries:

  • Short Week Programme (6 Nights) is a based ride
  • Long Weekend (4 Nights) is a based ride
  • Weekend Programme (3 Nights) is a based ride
  • Drag Hunting Weekend is a based ride

Ages

12+ years

Health

We recommend good general health and fitness.

Weight

16 st / 224lbs / 102kg.

Food & Accommodation

Food

Stays can be booked on either a B&B basis (which most choose) or self-catering, depending which accommodation and board option suits you best. It is also possible to upgrade to full board if preferred.

If you stay B&B at Oak Lodge then the breakfasts are fantastic and Mary will also make you a simple packed lunch for your full riding days.

At Gordon's Guesthouse B&B you can stay with breakfasts and packed lunches only or you can upgrade to full board and have dinners included.

When staying at Flowerhill House, you can prepare your own meals and have access to cooking facilities.

Accommodation

Guests are accommodated in one of two welcoming B&Bs or in Flowerhill House itself.

Oak Lodge B&B is a 4* B&B, situated less than 15 minutes by car from Flowerhill and situated within walking distance of the restaurants and pubs in town. Mary is known for her exceptional hospitality and for being helpful - she can happily help you out with booking restaurants and taxis or for any advice about the local area. When staying here you have breakfast included and Mary sends you off with a packed lunch each day (usually a bottle of water, a sandwich, some fruit and a chocolate bar/biscuit).

Gordon's Guesthouse B&B is located in the village of Tynagh, around 10 minutes drive from Flowerhill, and your hostess there is Caroline who is an experienced horsewoman herself. Caroline runs the B&B alongside a successful café and she is also able to upgrade you to full board if you'd like to have dinners included in your stay.

For those preferring a self-catering option you can stay in Flowerhill House. These rooms are more basic but you have a comfy bed, a hot shower and access to a kitchen to cook your meals. There is also a seating area and WiFi, plus you are on site with the horses which is always a treat.

Itineraries

Short Week Programme (6 Nights) Standard accommodation.

Long Weekend (4 Nights) Standard accommodation.

Weekend Programme (3 Nights) Standard accommodation.

Drag Hunting Weekend Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Please contact us if you'd like to bring a non-rider along - the area offers beautiful countryside and we can advise on other activities.

Travel

Flowerhill Equestrian is approximately 1.5 hours by car from Shannon Airport or 2 hours from Dublin airport. Car hire is recommended but it is also possible to come from the airport by bus and/or taxi. In this case your hosts at the B&B or Oliver and his team at Flowerhill will transport you back and forth between the stables and B&B each day.

If you stay self-catering at Flowerhill itself then you will need a hire car to shop for food supplies or you can use a taxi service for this.

Testimonials

Jo C., Oct. 18, 2023

Incredible in every way. Mary at Oak Lodge was fantastic, the food was perfect. (Guides?) Brilliant and helpful, I learnt a lot. (enjoyed) Jumping things I would never normally dream of doing.


Alison B., Sept. 27, 2023

Incredibly fun, so great for my riding confidence & provided my son and friend with a lot of really challenging and thrilling cross country. Exceptional horses & the staff were wonderful.


Caitlin A., Sept. 27, 2023

Amazing and an experience I am so glad I treated myself to. The horses, the staff and the grounds were an eventers quintessential Irish cross country holiday. I loved all the horses and every fence we jumped, but the water obstacles were my favorite!


Kayti M., Sept. 27, 2023

Exceeded all of my expectations! Connie was absolutely terrific! Mary Lynch is a queen!


Fiona A., Sept. 27, 2023

It exceeded my expectations in every way. I feel like I came back a new person and rider. I'll admit I was terrified going in and Holly did an amazing job ensuring that they would look after me and boy did they! I did more in the first morning riding than I had expected over the course of the entire trip. Oliver, his horses and his team were just beyond. He's an incredibly special human and I will forever treasure having been in his presence. It was transformative.


Robert M., Nov. 29, 2022

An amazing experience! Oliver was such a treat! He was encouraging and provided helpful comments.


Emma S., Sept. 22, 2022

AMAZING! One of the best holidays I've ever been on. So much fun and definitely jumped much more and bigger fences than I imagined. Speckles was an absolutely gem and Zorrow, Dessie and Lee too. Mary at Oak Lodge is so accommodation, the best B&B host! She went above and beyond, what a diamond. Oliver is a great character and Connie was a fab instructor and great at setting the ground rules and foundation for a great time. Exceeded all expectations!


Annbjørg N., Sept. 14, 2022

Love Flowerhill and Portumna. Oak Lodge is a perfect B&B, and Mary is an extraordinary host. Very happy with the horses. Found a favourite and got her several times. I liked the rides with Giulia very much. She nearly matched Oliver as a guide.


Clare M., Oct. 20, 2018

Brilliant! Great horses, exciting and fun riding, lovely accommodation. Oliver and his team and great and Mary at Oak Lodge is so welcoming and wonderful host. Favourite memory was riding fences with Jamieson on a glorious sunny day - big smile on my face.


Kathryn C., Oct. 20, 2018

It was all fantastic! For me it was a personal achievement that was such a boost for me. Loved it. Five Star accommodation at Oak Lodge and Mary is just so wonderful. Lovely horses and well matched to the riders. Tack all ok. All the staff at Flowerhill were so warm and friendly. It was so well put together - well done!


Michele D., July 12, 2017

I have nothing but great things to say about my trip to Flowerhill and Ireland! Everything was fantastic and I hope to plan another trip there, maybe even next spring. I wish I lived closer so I could visit more often. The scenery was amazing, the horses and cross country jumping was excellent, and the guides were wonderful! It was an invaluable jumping experience for me and boosted my confidence for training my own horse. The BnB and the owners were extremely friendly and excellent too - nice location and comfortable accommodation, great breakfast too. Thank you, Natalie and Holly, for coordinating everything on last minute notice!


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Arrival Day - Monday

Riding: No riding.

Arrival late afternoon/early evening for check in at your accommodation at the B&B in Portumna town.

Days 2 to 6 - Full Riding Days (Tuesday to Saturday)

Riding: 2 - 4 hours

For the five main riding days from Tuesday to Saturday you will enjoy two rides per day, one starting at approximately 10:00 and the second at around 13:30. These sessions will primarily be cross country jumping but during the week you may also enjoy a few showjumping lessons and a ride out to exercise Oliver's hunting hounds. Each day you will ride two different horses.

Day 7 - Departure Day - Sunday

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Morning cross country session. Departure after riding, around 12:00 (midday).

Accommodation

Bed and breakfast accommodation in Portumna town.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Riders must be confident at all paces in open countryside and have some jumping experience, but you do not need to be an expert.
Minimum group size 1
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

At any time during: March 25, 2024 - Oct. 27, 2024  (Programme runs Monday to Sunday.)

Pricing

2024
Oak Lodge (B&B), shared room		 £1585 $1975 €1855
Included Accommodation, breakfasts and 5 and a half days of riding.
Not included Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals, drinks, tips or personal expenses. You must supply your own riding helmet and ideally a body protector/air jacket/safety vest for jumping.

Extras

2024 - Single Supplement £13 $16 €15 per night
Paid to Far and Ride
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

Day 1 - Wednesday

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Arrive in time for a cross country training session starting at 1.30pm.

Days 2 to 4 - Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Riding: 3 - 5 hours

Cross country training from approximately 10 - 11.30am. After lunch there is another cross country session from around 1.30 - 3pm.

Day 5

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Morning cross country session. Departure after riding, around 12:00 (midday).

Accommodation

Bed and breakfast in Portumna town.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Riders must be confident at all paces in open countryside and have some jumping experience, but you do not need to be an expert.
Minimum group size 1
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

At any time during: March 27, 2024 - Oct. 27, 2024  (Wednesday to Sunday, subject to availability)

Pricing

2024
Oak Lodge (B&B), shared room		 £1125 $1405 €1320
Included 4 nights of twin or double room accommodation, breakfasts and riding as detailed in the programme.
Not included Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals, drinks, tips, personal expenses and extras not mentioned. You must supply your own riding helmet and ideally a body protector/air jacket/safety vest for jumping.

Extras

2024 - Single Supplement £13 $16 €15 per night
Paid to Far and Ride
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

Day 1 - Thursday

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Arrive in time for a cross country training session starting at 1.30pm.

Days 2 to 3 - Friday and Saturday

Riding: 3 - 5 hours

Cross country training from approximately 10 - 11.30am. After lunch there is another cross country session from around 1.30 - 3pm.

Day 4 - Sunday

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Morning cross country session. Departure after riding, around 12:00 (midday).

Accommodation

Bed and breakfast in Portumna town.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Riders must be confident at all paces in open countryside and have some jumping experience, but you do not need to be an expert.
Minimum group size 1
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

At any time during: March 28, 2024 - Oct. 27, 2024  (Thursday to Sunday, subject to availability)

Pricing

2024
Oak Lodge (B&B), shared room		 £845 $1050 €990
Included 3 nights of twin or double room accommodation, breakfasts and riding as detailed in the programme.
Not included Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals, drinks, tips, personal expenses and extras not mentioned. You must supply your own riding helmet and ideally a body protector/air jacket/safety vest for jumping.

Extras

2024 - Single Supplement £13 $16 €15 per night
Paid to Far and Ride
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.

Day 1 - Thursday

Riding: No riding.

Arrive in time for check-in and overnight.

Day 2 - Friday

Riding: 3 - 4 hours

Cross country training from approximately 10 - 11.30am. After lunch there is another cross country session from around 1.30 - 3pm. This is the perfect way to warm-up before your weekend drag hunts, getting you used to the horses and way of riding, as well as building up your confidence.

Day 3 - Saturday

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Saturday drag hunts will generally be on site at Flowerhill or in other local areas. The riding will include some trails and woodland alongside the Kilcrow River.

Day 4 - Sunday

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Sunday meets are in the countryside of East Galway or in Co Roscommon. After the drag hunt and some refreshments you will be free to make your way to the airport to head home. Until next time!

Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Intermediate and above - you should be confident jumping solid, natural fences (such as stone walls) of up to 90cm on an experienced hunter. No prior hunting experience is necessary and you'll be able to polish up your jumping skills on the cross country course before drag hunting.
Minimum group size 1
Maximum group size 10
Departure windows

At any time during: Jan. 1, 2024 - March 18, 2024

Pricing

2024
Rider, sharing a twin or double room		 £690 $860 €810
Included Accommodation, breakfasts, riding and transportation to hunts if not on site.
Not included Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, lunches and dinners (depending on accommodation type), drinks, cap fee (€80 per day, paid to hunt secretary on the day).

Extras

2024 - Cap Fee €80
Paid locally
Cap fee is paid per drag hunt, directly to the hunt secretary in cash.
2024 - Single Supplement £13 $16 €15 per night
Paid to Far and Ride
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.