Riding holidays - your recommendations please!

[Est]

I want to go on a riding holiday this spring/summer, and need some NR help in picking somewhere great!

I live in the Midlands but have no problem travelling as far as needed within the UK/Ireland. Ideally I'd go for 7 days, and have a fairly intensive mix of flatwork and jumping lessons (minimum 2/3 per day), plus a daily hack. The instruction needs to be really great - not necessarily BHS qualified, but must be effective!

I'm not interested in trekking/hacking by itself, and would prefer somewhere that I can live on-site (caravan/house etc) rather than off-site at a hotel/B&B. I'm not too fussed whether it's self catering or part/full board.

And as I'll probably be going alone the people need to be friendly!

Any recommendations?

[Keket]

Can't really help you, but you might wana check out http://www.ridingtours.com (Equitours). I found my trip to Spain through them and they've been really easy to deal with so far.

[Trewsers]

I don't know if Wheal Bueller holidays in Cornwall do instruction as well as trecking, but they got a good review in HOrse and Rider last year. I know whereabouts they are (I holiday quite close to them usually) and it looks a good setting, but as I said, not sure if they give lessons as part of the holidays. Hope you find somewhere!:) BTW, they are right down on the Lizard, its a long way, but well worth the journey, its a gorgeous part of the country.

[Est]

Thanks both :) I know it seems early to be thinking of my holidays but it's so grey and horrible here that I really need something to look forward to!
Trewsers, do you have a web address or phone number for Wheal Bueller? I'm not having much luck in Google.

[Kira657]

I used to work at Gooseham Barton riding stables, they do riding holidays and are very good, there's no tuition just really relaxing 1,2 or 3 hour hacks through beautiful country tracks and cliffs, in north cornwall, check out the site, www.gooseham-barton.com.Either contact Debbie for more details or ask me anything you want to know

[raingodz]

OH and I have booked three days at Murthwaite Green at the end of May. We will have 2 hours of trekking and 2 hours of lessons a day, and I am really looking forwar to it. It is the same place that Werehorse and JOJOBA went last August (which is how I found out about it).

Their website is http://www.murthwaitegreen.co.uk/

[Trewsers]

Will find Wheal Bueller for you tonight - I've got a leaflet somewhere in my scrapbook (blushes as admits to having a trainspotter like hobby:o )

[JOJOBA]

I second Raingodz, I really liked Murthwaite, and it's excellent for the novice, nervous, or just laid back who dont want to go everywhere at 100miles an hour (but still fancy a few gallops on the beach :p). Plus the horses are actually trustworthy, the last place we went to I wouldnt have trusted the horses (or people) as far as I could throw them.
However Im afraid the instruction is probably not what you're after.

xxx

[Selle Francais]

Est -
If you're really serious about instruction, rather than just a relaxing riding holiday, you could do worse than going to Wellington (between Reading and Basingstoke).

This is a high quality place, with fabulous horses (not like the school hacks) and professional teaching of the highest standard. We went there for 3 days and learnt an incredible amount, as well as developing loads of confidence. Usual daily routine is 2 lessons plus one hack per day (they have their own extensive acreage), interspersed with stable management / videos, etc as you want. Lunchtimes and the bar in the evenings are very sociable and friendly.

There is some limited accommodation on-site, but also plenty of places to stay nearby. Be warned - it's not cheap, but it is very good value.

[Est]

@ trainspotting Trewsers - thanks! I'll still admit to knowing you ;) :p :D

@ Selle Francais - sounds ideal. I'm going to have a good look at the website tonight!

Anyone had any experience of Contessa? I keep hearing good things about them but no one ever seems to have been there in person to give me the inside info...

Thanks everyone for the replies so far :)

[Bay Mare]

I used to work there!

Erm ... where to start. They do have some nice schoolmasters but it depends how good they deem you to be as to if you get within 10 feet of them or not.

The senior instructors (the YO (Tina Layton-Elliott, BHSI, GP Dressage rider, trains with Arthur Kottas at the TTT), her Head Girl (Dawn Elliott-Moulden, BHSII, Advanced dressage rider) and her senior instructor (Sarah Ganney, BHSII, predominantly a show jumper but also a good dressage rider) are all excellent teachers but you won't necessarily get them. If you can specify that you get the majority of lessons with them then you'll have some great lessons.

Unfortunately they do tend to use the 'students' to do the lessons. When I say 'students' it can be anything from pre BHS Stage 1 to someone doing their PTT. As you can imagine the standards are variable. They have lost a lot of adult clients because of being taught by students who weren't even at the same riding standard that they were at, some of whom gave the usual corrections whether they applied to you or not!

With regards to the accomodation, unless it has changed I would say look elsewhere! There are a couple of not-so-luxury caravans or you can sometimes share the staff bungalow. PERSONALLY I think that it's a lot of money for what you get (unless they've changed the rates).

I know that I sound negative and I don't mean to be. In a lot of ways it's a great place under the right circumstances. There were some fabulous AIs there during the time that I was there but it did go through a period which wasn't as pleasant. I don't know the staff there now apart from the senior staff so it may be different.

Hope that helps!

[Est]

Wow, thanks Bay Mare! That was very helpful. I'll look at them again and definitely talk through who would be teaching me before deciding anything. VERY useful info so thanks :)

[bexj]

I'm about to book a week at Yorkshire Riding Centre, although I believe that's all lessons and no hacking. Was looking for somewhere like you Est too, and hadn't thought of Murthwaite Green. The other place I had recommended is Ivesley Equestrian Centre in Durham. AAH on here rides there regularly

[old_mare]

I'm heading back to Kilkenny in Ireland to Top Flight Equestrian Centre where i went last year. If you go at the beginning of June, there's a comedy festival in town so there's something to do in the evenings too! There are lots of B&Bs in town and i think you can stay at Top Flight. They have a pretty huge operation - gorgeous countryside, lovely xc course, good instruction, and about 100 horses so you can get a good range of experience. They're wonderfully friendly (oh yes, the charming Irish thing is a cliche for a reason!).

[Selle Francais]

Re Wellington - I think we must defer to Bay Mare's inside knowledge of the potential drawbacks. I can only speak of my own experience which is obviously more limited!
Still, we must have been very lucky, we had great instructors and lovely horses (I still have fond memories of Darcy and Caesar).

Good luck in your search!

[CT]

My riding club friends and I had the most wonderful time at L&A riding in Wales last year. They do lessons and hacking. We tended to do hacking as it was such great countryside and we had a blast - literally! There accomodation is on site and they do lessons in jumping/flat work. They have some lovely horses for hacking and other work - any place that has a horse that will slow if you say 'steady' while his mates are off at the gallop is one that has my vote:)

Not sure about accommodation at the YRC but it is a very good place to ride and train.

There used to be the Equestrian Centre nr Wrexham but I heard that it was being sold. Not sure if it is still an EC or not? Many people seemed to have very positive experiences there.

I've also been to Contessa RC. I agree entirely about Tina, Dawn and Sarah's teaching. I've been fortunate enough to have had lessons predominantly with them on the 5 occasions that I've been there. I did a short (3 day) course with some friends flatwork and jumping which was very good. We had the three seniors taking us plus a couple of others but the standard of teaching was consistently good, so it may be that the difficulties they had in the past don't now exist. Hacking out there isn't really an option. I don't think the accommodation has changed but we are local(ish) so didn't stay in it.

Good luck and if you want to travel further afield go and do some classical riding in Spain or Portugal........ alternatively the Arrow riding centre - somewhere up north! - is classical and is said to be excellent.

Good luck and have fun

CT

[Mary Poppins]

If you want to travel to Ireland then I would recommend that you visit
www.ballyc.com

I stayed there in December and although I didn't ride, the horses were first class and so was the accomodation. They produce horses which go all over the world. John the owner is the local huntmaster and very knowledgeable and friendly. Although the website doesn't talk about summer holidays, they do run throughout the summer as well (is predominatly a hunting yard) but they will provide whatever you want. You can do 7 hours a day if you require it and have miles of countryside to ride in, plus an outdoor school.

[ajhainey]

Re Wellington - I think we must defer to Bay Mare's inside knowledge of the potential drawbacks. I can only speak of my own experience which is obviously more limited!
Still, we must have been very lucky, we had great instructors and lovely horses (I still have fond memories of Darcy and Caesar).

Good luck in your search!

I think BayMare was talking abuot contessa? Wellington did seem very good, although I never got round to actually going as they couldn't offer the type of hacking I wanted.

aj xx

[Trewsers]

Right, found Wheal Buller (sorry I spelt it wrong in my last post!) the web address is www.cornish-riding-holidays.co.uk - it looks fab - might be tempted myself......:D I can't stress enough what a beautiful part of the country it is though - I go to the Lizard twice a year every year and I NEVER want to come home......:D

[Bay Mare]

Re Wellington - I think we must defer to Bay Mare's inside knowledge of the potential drawbacks. I can only speak of my own experience which is obviously more limited!
Still, we must have been very lucky, we had great instructors and lovely horses (I still have fond memories of Darcy and Caesar).

Good luck in your search!

Whoops! Just to clarify, I was answering Est re Contessa, not Wellington :)

[Bay Mare]

There used to be the Equestrian Centre nr Wrexham but I heard that it was being sold. Not sure if it is still an EC or not? Many people seemed to have very positive experiences there.

No, it was sold last June to the Equine Ethology lot :mad: and is VERY expensive even if you do agree with what they do there .....

Wrexham EC was fantastic for a riding holiday, I miss it loads.

[Selle Francais]

Sorry - my mistake. I'm very pleased though that it wasn't Wellington that Bay Mare was talking about - I really felt quite "down" yesterday thinking that my happy memories weren't justified!

;<)

[hApPiNeSs]

happy is kept about half a mile away from wheal buller - so if you go make sure you come and pay us a visit (that goes for you too trewsers)
:D

never been there myself im afraid. i dont know why, i just went to another nearby riding centre, although i am planning to take H up there sometime. they do a lot of lessons, their the kind of place that would cater for your needs, im sure of you wanted lots of lessons they would be willing to oblige

i think they do lessons, beach/BBQ rides, little competitions etc, for children and adults, and they seem to have a MASSSSIVE selection of horses (they have well over 60 horses, although not all are kept there at a time)

they seem a nice bunch, when we pass them on hacks, they are always very courteous, and wait while happy has a madness fit with the sight of all those horses. :D

oh yeah, and they have a hot tub :D :D :D

let me know if you go, and if you see me and happs on the tramlines, wave :D

i can also confirm that the hacking is wonderful, especially the beach tracks. its all connected by an old tramline, so lots of flat straight places for a good gallop.

throuroughly recommend it :)

[nat17]

:) I am in the middle of finding a ranching holiday in canada !! I want to go to them all!! If anyone has recommendations for area/ranch please do let me know!:) Its hard chosing between them!

[Cherokee]

I went to Wheal buller in the summer and personally I wasnt that impressed.I went on the kids riding holiday so the adult ones may be different ut I was not impressed by the teaching or the kindness of the instructors.I found that i didnt learn anything.In one jumping lesson I fell off twice because my leg was swinging back when I went into jumping position.When i fell I was shouted at for being so rubbish and made to do it again.She did not try to help me do it better.
On the third day i was there one of the horses stood on my foot , I was in agony but i was told to not be such a baby and shut up.The next day my little toe was purple and my nail had gone black.I couldnt ride because my toe had swelled up so much that i couldnt get my boot on.
The food was good and the horses were nice though.I expect the staff would treat adults better though.

[hApPiNeSs]

thats awful lucy :mad: dont actually know what the staff are like because ive never been there.

actually, when i mentioned to my current riding instructer about wb, she made a kind of grimacing face. but i dont really think that i should slag them off on a public forum

one thing they do do though, which i think is dangerous, is let young children ride and lead 2+ horses on the roads. that always gets me a bit mad

however, most people who have been on their holidays seem to enjoy them. i could always go and have a lesson for you est, and report back :D :D

[Trewsers]

Cherokee - what a shame you didn't enjoy Wheal B. I've never been, but I always thought it looked a nice place and of course the surrounding countryside looks fab. Thats a bit mean of them shouting at you for falling off!!! Bet your toe hurt too!! Happiness - you lucky person living in that part of the world - its gorgeous! OH and I go to Kugger (Kennack Sands) twice a year - its lovely there, we usually hack out at Newton Livery stables - its a lovely place, they have some fab horses. I rode a 16.3hh shire x called Duchess last time - what a girl!!!!!:D

[HairyCob]

Oh Darn! I just got the brochure from Wheal B, and was going to phone and book myself a week tomorrow, but now Cherokee has made me think twice...!

Of course I'm an adult, and would shout back if an instructor shouted at me, but not sure that I want to have to!

It does look wonderful, and it's quite affordable too... has anyone else had any experience there? Good or bad?!

[Est]

He he :D What a good idea Happiness!

@ Cherokee - sounds awful :( Here's hoping you just caught them on a bad week. Not that it is any excuse! Hope your toe didn't take too long to heal :)

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll be checking all suggestions out asap. Further ideas always welcome! :D

[hApPiNeSs]

seriously, i'll go and have a lesson there. i've wanted to anyway, just out of curiosity. :)

make sure you come and have a spin on H when your down :)

[bubblious]

We went to Ivesley Equestrian Centre last February at it was brilliant, we both still talking about it now ... 2 lessons and a hack each day ... full board accomodation in their house, was made to feel very welcome ... just wish I was going again this year :) anyone want to volunteer to look after my kids so I can have a fun week riding in Durham?? pleaseeee??

Anyone had any experience of the Wellow Park Stables? I know they do riding holidays and have B&B accomodation .. never been myself but its not too far away from here ... just wondered that all.

xx

[coverblown]

Hi everyone,

glad bubblious joined in because I can bore for Scotland about how good Ivesley is. I still ride at Ivesley and love it, and would imagine it wuld be great for a holiday, as the house is on site and the instructors are fab. Lovely horses and great facilities.

I love the look of murthwaite green and it won an award locally for training. I have also been to scottish equi which I thought was good too, but accom was a bit ?. Recently I have been to hollin equest (which I found on ebay!) and have booked again. Somerby in Leics also appeals and like hollin equest you can design your own mix.

All a mix of hacking and lessons. I also quite like the look of Kimmerston in Northumberland

[coverblown]

Sorry forgot to add....

Wellow Park was where Cait and I got started..... they are fairly well booked up because Center Parcs books them out all the time. I phoned last year when Wrexham closed down to see if they would take us and they couldn't even offer a place on their waiting list.....

But it is nice...

Anne

[Bay Mare]

Anyone had any experience of the Wellow Park Stables? I know they do riding holidays and have B&B accomodation .. never been myself but its not too far away from here ... just wondered that all.

xx

I had some lessons there and they were pretty good, difficult to get in, though, unless you are very flexible time wise. As AAH said, they are booked out by Center Parcs most of the time :(

[coblover26]

If you actually wanted to do like riding everyday and saty with horses then i can't hel pyou sorry but if there are a few days where you ould like to go out of hacks etc. then a place in Dorset called Rempstone is a good place. I went there with my cousin. :):):)