Riding holidays

[flamingnoravera]

I'm considering a riding holiday either in Spain or Ireland.
In Ireland I'm looking at Bel Air equestrian in Wicklow. I've ridden their cross country twice before (just two hours) and am considering the mock hunt three day experience.

In Spain I'm looking at Unicorn Trails and doing 3-5 days in Andalusia. I have to go in school hols and it has to be late July early August. I'll be alone, I can't find and riding friends who have the time or money to do this so I'm on my own.

I can't decide, July in Spain is very hot but I would like some sun, July in Ireland is wet, but my family live nearby and it's known. Bel Air horses are fab and the hotel is quirky and mad.

I need help to weigh up which to do. I've never hunted, I'm not keen on a real hunt so a mock hunt with two sessions of prep would be good. On the other hand, the idea of riding Andalucians in the mountains with a pool and lovely food and wine appeals.

What else do I need to think about? I'm 56, a good intermediate rider, swimming fit but not riding fit. I'm a lone woman traveller with enough money to do either trip. I had even considered riding Mongolia but think I should do a shorter holiday first. Help!

[BigPinkBall]

Honestly, I’d go to Ireland just because I think their health and safety standards would be more aligned with what we’re used to in the UK and in my experience, not in horse riding, but just in general, things are a lot more lax in Spain.

[flamingnoravera]

I was both pleasantly surprised and shocked in ireland. They are fastidious about helmets and body protecters and then halfway round a two hour cross country / fast ride we stopped for a quick break and people lit up cigarettes (still on their horses) and out came hip flasks of gin and whiskey.
The Spanish place is run by Brits so British standards of animal care etc but pics of people without hats.
I do not ever ride without a helmet. So I'd get v sweaty headed. But the sun appeals! Maybe I should do both?

[BigPinkBall]

I’d never ride without a helmet (my own as you don’t know what’s happened to riding school helmets) and a body protector but then, as you might have guessed, I’m a bit obsessed with safety. I’m not sure how I’d feel about a company that let people ride without helmets.

I went on a riding holiday in Wales and it was scorching one day and raining the next and I much preferred the rain as it was cooling and less sweaty. They were really clear that you had to have both hands on the reins at all times and if you wanted a drink or take a photo then one of the guides had to hold your reins.

[flamingnoravera]

Ah now I've ridden out in Wales via Freerein and you have no guide, you have maps and a destination and you head off in a helmet if you want but at your own risk if you don't. I always do. I like a bit of freedom, the two hands thing is too much for me.

[Astrabees]

I have been on two riding holidays in recent years. the first was in Iceland, booked privately with Lysuholl, the safety standards were very high there and the scenery and riding were amazing. The second was with Highlands Unbridled on their coast to coast Scotland ride, that was also very good and the fact that they used mainly Highland Ponies made it even better, a really friendly outfit. This year I'm just doing 4 days in Cumbria as I don't think my legs will stand a full week without much recent experience in the saddle.
OP, one thing you have not mentioned is the likely make up of the ride, which can be very important. In Iceland I was the only English person out of 16, with 15 Germans, 14 of them owned their own Icelandics (one had twelve!) and were from the same riding centre, so I felt very lonely and a bit concerned my level of riding was less than theirs. I had a lovely older horse that behaved very well and kept towards the back of the pack, so the riding itself was OK.
In Scotland the leaders and most of the guests were very nice, but there were two people along who barged in at the front of the ride and also had to be spoken to about trying to do things that were not safe. This time round I did make some enquiries about the composition of the group in the hope of having chosen something that will work really well for me.

[flamingnoravera]

@Astrabees thanks for that helpful point. I had not thought about the group make up. Maybe Ireland is better for me, I do want sun but I dont want to be the only English speaker in a group of monoglots. I dont mind a mixed group of nationalities because we would have to muddle along but being alone in a group of single language speakers can feel lonely.
I am also not riding fit. I was hoping that if I did a week it could be two days of a couple of hours followed by a days break and then three days of longer days as I get fitter. I struggle to find anywhere locally to ride these days- all the stables I used to use have closed and I no longer know anyone who has horses for me to part loan or muck in with. I am fit, but not been in the saddle for five months or so and then it was only for an hours ride with a child who would not do anything other than walk and so it was a tad dull.

[flamingnoravera]

I've taken the plunge and booked 6 days in Andalusia. Staying at a finca. With riding daily, a mix of lessons and riding out. There is a pool. The owners are British and have good procedures for accidents, I will take my own helmet.

I am very used to being on my own so this suits me just fine. I get sun, horses, swimming, wine and Spanish mountains. I booked my fights using the glut of Avios I had from a lot of travelling I did a few years ago so it's also worked out to be cheaper than Ireland.

I am now a tad excited. I will go to Ireland the week after for a family party and can get my tan washed off!

[givemeyourbadge]

Sounds amazing!

I can also recommend Loose Reins in Dorset for a bit of "cowboy" Book one of their shepherd hut caravans and a trail ride followed by some western lessons in the arena . Great food and wine, too!

[flamingnoravera]

I've just had a look at loose reins, it also looks lovely. If I have time and money left after Spain and Ireland I may give it a try!

I am working term time only and it means I have lots of summer time to enjoy- it's a first for me since being a student- I'm so looking forward to a proper break in the summer.

[Pebblespony]

I am sooooo jealous. Enjoy!!!

[BigPinkBall]

Enjoy! Sounds fab

[awishes]

Read this with interest. I’m similar age, on my own and took riding holidays when I was younger, you’ve given me an idea of what to do in the future.
I hope you have a wonderful time!

[flamingnoravera]

@bigpink and @awishes I am already getting excited and I only booked because BA emailed me to tell me I was at risk of losing the 174000 air miles I accrued whist working around the world!

I will report back with pics and stuff!

[flamingnoravera]

And @Pebblespony too!

Eeeee! Horses and sun and wine! And flying from Bristol too. What could possibly go wrong!

[Shadowboy]

If you ever do another holiday totally recommend the Azores! Beautiful Iberian horse’s with luscious vegetation, hydrangeas and landscapes. Fab volcanic lagoons. Myself and my husband loved it.

[Pebblespony]

Just had a mental image of my husband on a riding holiday. He can just about manage to put a bit of hay over the door when I need a lie in. My 11h pony has no respect for him. Maybe I'll bring him on one if he really annoys me 😁.

[flamingnoravera]

pebbles

I tried to persuade my partner to learn so we could do Mongolia together (he is obsessed by Mongolia and geology) but he can't get his head around riding being more involved than sitting on a horse. So I am leaving him here to look at pictures of rocks and yurts.

[Pebblespony]

Flaming 😂

[Astrabees]

Loose Reins looks lovely, I think DH would enjoy that, we managed a ranching holiday in Wyoming 27 years ago without falling out. Usually riding together is disasterous for us, he is very gung ho, I get nervous and fall off....... We went on a ride once where I fell off 3 times so since then I've been on my own, without incident.