Has your heritage determined your riding style?

Has your heritage determined your riding style?

Taking part in riding holidays with The Riding Company gives a rider a unique insight into the equestrian culture of a country.

In Portugal, it appears that men dominate the sport. 

Fit, athletic men with an appreciation of spending time under the sun, in the fresh air and at one with their horse.  Dressage is particularly popular but also evidently masculine.  Is it that the heritage of training horses for the bull-fighting ring has earned the rider the ability to perform modern-day movements with both a sense of strength and sensitivity?

In South Africa there’s a definate response to carriage driving – something often viewed as a rarity in Britain for instance.  But rewind just a couple of hundred years and trade relied upon the ability to drive wagon trains of oxen and horses across the mountains.

In Britain, hunting is the predominant equestrian sport, giving riders there a reputation for being somewhat gung-ho with bravery celebrated over riding style.

Can you tell us your country’s equestrian heritage and if it has influenced your riding style?

And, in a riding holiday are you therefore seeking something to match that style or using the experience to sample a different culture, a new outlook from the saddle?

We look forward to your comments.

‘Ride & Raise’ launched. Help charity on horseback

Egyptian Pyramids announced as inaugural ‘Ride & Raise’ holiday.

 

An epic adventure covering 255km, over 7 days and 46 hours on horseback is destined to raise over £20,000 for The Brooke this autumn.

 

Calling riders to see the Egyptian Pyramids from the saddle, the unique challenge is the inspiration of founder of The Riding Company, Kat Tiefenthal says, “On visiting Egypt personally last year, the need of The Brooke was obvious.  Through its veterinary service and education, The Brooke not only improves the welfare of equines but helps the individuals, families and communities who depend on such creatures for their livelihood and I felt compelled to encourage my clients to contribute to the charity’s cause.”

 

The ‘Ride & Raise’ scheme has therefore been devised with The Riding Company donating £500 from every rider to take part in the £1700 challenge from 14-22^nd November.

 

Kat continues, “Working with local experts we have devised an itinerary that will take the riders into the real Egypt, riding off the tourist beat across desert and on the shores of an oasis, to stay in Bedouin tents and feast on traditional fare.  Also an Egyptologist will accompany the group as they visit cultural, historical and archaeological wonders, like the necropolises of Saqqara, Abu Sir and Dahshur.”

 

The trip also includes a camel ride around the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza, a visit to a traditional Bazaar and, setting a more typical tone to The Riding Company tours, the first and final nights will be in five-star luxury.

 

Kat explains, “I felt the challenge needed to have an element of celebration for our riders, especially at the end of the tour when they will have a personal tour of The Brooke’s work in Cairo and present a cheque for the amount raised – coinciding with the 75^th anniversary of the charity.”

 

With its unique itinerary, this is a one-off opportunity as The Riding Company is to create a different ‘Ride & Raise’ challenge each year.

 

Riders interested in taking up the Egyptian Pyramids ride – which can be funded through personal means or through sponsorship – should contact The Riding Company at reservations@theridingcompany.com or Tel 0207 917 9880 and ask for an information pack.

 

Katie Price talks equestrian

Glamour girl Katie Price recently spoke to Horse and Hound about her equestrian life.

What was your first… word?

I don’t have a clue, but it certainly wasn’t horse! I know with all my children it was the usual “mama” or “dada”.

When did you first… ride?

When I was seven, on a 12.2hh grey pony called Echo. He kept bombing off with me every time we hit open grass, so I’ve had my fair share of falling off.

What was your first… job?

I left school at 16 and began training as a nurse, which I did for a few months before getting into modelling.

When did you first… own a horse?

I had a 14hh bay New Forest pony called Star on loan when I was nine or 10. He was 18 years old and we used to hack out and go to local shows.

I then had a 16.2hh ex-racehorse called Rosie on loan when I was 15, who was great fun, before my mum bought me my own – another ex-racehorse who was also a bay called Star!

The first horse I bought for myself was a 17.3hh Irish thoroughbred called Tyke – I like my big horses.

When did you first… choose dressage?

Last year. I still get a buzz from jumping, but I just love the look of dressage – the way the horses go and the elegance of it all. It’s a real discipline. Plus, I feel safer on the ground.

When was the first time… one of your children rode?

Harvey rode when he was pretty young as I bought him a Shetland. Then Princess got on the horse I rode at the Horse of the Year Show, Glamour Girl, when she was just 14-months-old and Junior rides her too. I’m actually getting them a pony called Harvey on loan.

What were your first… resolutions for 2009?

To compete as much as I can and learn to ride the new horse I’ve bought from a sale in Holland, Jordan’s Pretty Boy. He knows all the moves and is a real challenge for me.

Who was your first… hero rider?

John Whitaker on Milton – I used to have posters of him all over my bedroom walls. Of Milton I mean, not John!

What is first… on your list of ambitions?

To conquer the world.

When did you last… get something for free?

Prestige want to give me saddles and bridles for all of my horses – even though they usually only do it for professional riders. So that’s very generous of them.

When did you last… laugh so much it hurt?

I’m not a big laugher – I have quite a dry sense of humour.

When did you last… do a good deed?

When I went into a shop to get my computer fixed and ended up buying loads of stuff for Pete’s [Peter Andre, Katie's husband] studio. I’m terrible with computers – I had to buy a new Mac recently because I’d forgotten the password and lost all the software, so apparently there was nothing else I could do.

When did you last… fall off?

I don’t want to jinx myself, but I can’t remember. That’s not good is it? It must mean I’m due for one.

BBC to cover 2009 European Championships

The BBC have announced that they will be covering the Alltech International Equestrian Federation (FEI) European Jumping and Dressage Championships – taking place at Windsor from 25-30 August.

The BBC will show the individual final of the jumping and dressage, as well as the team jumping.

Thirty-two nations have put forward teams. Over 150 riders will be competing at the event.

Equestrian fashion for spring

As the weather has finally started to warm, the team at The Riding Company are finally beginning to think about spring.

And this equestrian jacket is the perfect compliment to warmer weather, with its tailored look but is still fully lined for extra warmth.

Made from wool, it has three buttons in matching material with a trim in red cord. There is even a matching skirt, called the ‘flirt’ skirt in a range of sizes. Visit Ohalloranco for more details.

Last minute riding offer!

Ride in the sunshine on the beach in Southern Spain.

2 for 1 special offer – bring a friend and ride two for the price of one at Aventura Ecuestre Riding stables in Tarifa. £629 FOR TWO with the Relax riding programme (10 hours of beach, dune and mountain rides) on bed and breakfast basis in our lovely hotel right on the beach on the southern-most tip of Europe. Includes return transfer from Gibraltar airport. Offer available until 28th of February. Escape the February chills!

Visit The Riding Company for more details.

Equestrian gifts for Valentine’s Day

If you’re looking for something a little bit different for Valentine’s Day this year, The Riding Company may be able to help.
Our gifts shop is full of lovely equestrian goodies; from jewellery to art and sculptures, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

Horse of the Year Show box office now open

The box office for the Horse of the Year Show opened this week.

This October from the 7th to 11th at the NEC in Birmingham, there will be a host of old favourites such as the Puissance on the Saturday evening and the HOYS leading show jumper of the year grand prix competition on Sunday.

There will be a musical display and a Phantom of the Opera-themed performance run by Cheshire North Hunt Pony Club.

For more information go to Hoys or call the box office on 0844 581 8282.

How to groom a horse

Look for any drainage from the eyes and make sure your horse’s ears don’t have anything in them.

Use a medium-bristled brush for your horse’s body. Start at the neck and work your way down.

Look for any cuts or bumps that need treatment.
Brush entire body, including belly and legs.

Run your hands down the horse’s legs to feel for any swelling.

Spray conditioner or detangler in mane and tail to make brushing easier.

Source: www.ehow.com

Gourmet riding holidays: Riding, cooking (and eating!) in Northern Italy

Join us on our brand new ‘riding and cookery’ week, where you will be collecting herbs and mushrooms and other produce on horseback, then using them later to try out some local recipes.
Daily rides out and lessons based at authentic family guest house. Riding with Fruits of the Forest Cookery course: an insight into Italian food and mountain traditions.
You’ll stay at the delightful Orthal riding centre, based at a small Albergo on the L’Altopiano di Asiago, a sunny plateau overlooking the Venetian plains and with views stretching to the Dolomites. Massimo Rigoni, a former horse jumper in international competitions, is the charming owner who will take you on half-day or full day hacks through pretty, unspoilt countryside and villages. Family skiing area during the winter months. The area has an extensive network of marked trails which are perfect for hiking or mountain biking. Riding can be combined with white-water rafting, paragliding and other adrenaline sports.

Visit The Riding Company for more information.