Is there a breed best suited to horse-riding holidays?

At The Riding Company we’re often astounded by the ability of the horses on our holidays to adapt to their riders ability, cope with the terrain and for their exceptional temperaments.

Among them there are Uruguayan Quarter Horses tackling the Peruvian mountain trails to reach Machu Picchu to Lippizanners giving riders a real taste of classical dressage.

The strength and depth of the horse breeds used in our personally selected riding holidays include Lusitano stallions, Haflingers, thoroughbreds, the Paso del Mont, and many more.

What’s your experience?

Do you have a favourite equine breed and why?

Austrian riding holiday winners review

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of The Riding Company, Susan Halliwell (above left) from Herefordshire won a five night trekking week at the Schlosswirt Hotel in the British Horse competition taking her friend, Karen Lloyd along for the ride.

 

 

Karen says, “I can vouch that the photos on The Riding Company website do give a very clear indication of all that any holiday at the Schlosswirt might entail.

 

Yes, you really do head off up high mountain paths through rivers and by water-falls and are surrounded by the most spectacular panoramas and scenery.

 

Each day Toni arranged a different ride for us and we never went the same way twice – he matched us well with our horses and once we both relaxed into the Western style of riding with the long rein and long stirrups we also allowed ourselves to be taken by those trusty sure-footed Haflingers where they were confident we could indeed go!   

 

When not riding, we choose to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside. We spent an afternoon in bright sunshine exploring the glacier at the base of The Grossglockner (Austria’s highest mountain) in the Hohe Tauern National Park and another afternooon exploring the pretty local village of Heilingenblut and another memorable afternoon was spent just sunbathing in the hotel’s garden sipping long iced drinks and really winding down from our busy UK lives.  

 

The hotel was really very comfy and everyone there very welcoming and helpful.   The food was divine.   Huge amounts of help-yourself breakfast and each night a delicious and varied 5-course supper.   I was very glad I had packed stretchy jodpurs!      

 

We  were inspired too by the idea of riding through the snowy season ahead which Toni assured us was very popular and possible…. skiing AND riding very very tempting.”

 

Italian holiday winners review

                   

 

 

Emma Lowden (above right) won a trip to the Orthal Riding Centre in Italy, through Horse & Rider magazine.

 

Emma says, “I am sure you remember that phone call you made and I was convinced it was a scam!

 

It was a brilliant week as you well predicted -everything ran like clockwork!

 

The hotel was really lovely and the area nice and peaceful - the real Italy I believe. Predomaintely a skiing resort the scenery was outstanding, (skilifts in the background) and explored the streets of the nearby town.

 

We rode daily and Massimo, being a show jumper, knew instantly I was into dressage and shortened the stirrups by about four holes which felt like hundreds more..ouch!

 

A former Olympic ski jumper (Eddie the eagle eat your heart out!) he lives for adrenalin filled activities and spends the summer concentrating on horse riding.  And he was a real peoples person and very popular with both children and adults alike.

 

I took my mother, Maureen, with me and she did really well after not riding properly for nearly 20 years!  We rode several horses that were all well suited to their job though they were well bred including Thoroughbreds to Holstein – Mum’s favourite horse being Flo-Jo who turned out to be a former showjumper!

It was a wondefully relaxing and enjoyable week and maybe next time we’ll combine with a trip to Venice!”

 

Bitter drinkers can register for a share in a racehorse

To promote John Smith’s renewed sponsorship of the Grand National, punters will have the chance to register for a share in a racehorse with their next pint.

The scheme, called “Smithy, The People’s Racehorse” will mean the horse will be owned by the bitter company’s customers.

There won’t be any financial commitment apart from buying a pint, as customers will be able to register for one of 250,000 shares with the company.

“Smithy”, a four-year-old gelding will be trained by Donald McCain junior at Bankhouse Stables in Cheshire. His owners will get updates on his progress and be able to vote online about his training and the races he’ll be entered for.

Olympia The London International Horse Show December, 2009

Witness the best of equestrian sport this Christmas at Olympia – The London International Horse Show this December.

The First Royal International Horse Show took place in the Grand Hall Olympia in 1907 and is now home to everything from world cup showjumping and dressage, to spectacular performances from Lorenzo the Fying Frenchman and the Ukrainian Cossacks.

Olympia attracts some of the top riders in the world and visitors can enjoy fantastic, edge-of-the-seat equestrian excitement and horsey Christmas shopping all wrapped up in a festive atmosphere in central London.

The 2009 show will take place from Tuesday 15th December until Monday 21st December. Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th will be the FEI World Cup Dressage Comeptitions and Thursday 17th to Monday 21st will be performances with jumping competitions.

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.