Weekend riding break - any ideas?

[higgle]

I'm off on a riding holiday in Iceland next summer. Although I used to be quite experienced and did have my own Highland some years ago I've now got a bit nervous and prone to falling off. I'll be booking some lessons locally but really want a weekend away in the spring. As we live in Gloucestershire I'm thinking south wales or Somerset/Devon. Does anyone have any recommendations for either a residential weekend where they will be kind and encouraging or somewhere I could stay locally and book some lessons and hacking? I've wanted to go diding in Iceland for over 30 years, so don't want to make an idiot of myself now I have finally got round to it.

Riding in Iceland
Lucky you!
Shilstone Rocks Stud on Dartmoor is good for hacking (lovely scenery, nice places to stay nearby, near me!!). Not sure, but think they may do lessons too. If they don't do lessons, there's Finlake Riding Centre near(ish). Let us know how you get on wherever you go x

Iceland sounds fantastic. I'd be interested in seeing other people's recommendations - can't sadly contribute meself - have only just started again recently as well.

Sorry no suggestions,apart from ask for a small horse / pony for your riding here as Icelandics aren't big!
Went to Iceland last year and it was amazing, enjoy.

Collacott Farm (www.collacott.co.uk). It's in Devon and has a riding school with cottages to rent. We've been there as a family quite a few times and always really enjoyed it. I've had lessons/ridden out from there as have my daughters. Very nice people run the business. They're really helpful and the instruction is good. There are some very quiet horses if you want to take it gently and there's also a gorgeous former point to point horse that I fell in love with. Haven't been for over a year but it was great when we used to go.

Thanks, Sykes, will look into that. Hope it suits OP too...

Ooh, I've been riding in Iceland. Lovely! The ponies are small and hardy (Halflingers mainly) and the going isn't fast. When are you going? It is so very cold! I was there in August. Was like a February here. And beyond a joke expensive. Loved it though.

There's somewhere in Lancashire where you can ride Shire horses on the beach - I saw that featured on tv a while back and they looked fab - fit, athletic and not at all 'cumbersome' as you might imagine.

Also Northumerland horse holidays used to get great reviews.

Haflingers? Icelandics I think! In fact, they're not allowed to import any horses to Iceland, and that includes ones that have been exported - they can't ever come back.

I went on a ride in Iceland a few years ago, and we did have a fast bit - a fab gallop. Actually it wasn't that fast, their legs are so short .

Thank you everyone! I shall be looking at some of the suggestions and getting back in the saddle when the spring arrives. I am going here for my Iceland trip. This seemed to be the only place I could find that didn't involve sleeping in huts with long drop toilets and they do veggie food to which is good. It is quite expensive but DH is trekking up Kili for his holiday and that is pricey too.

Please report back, Higgle!

I will - on both bits.

Doh - of course they weren't Halfs. Was getting confused with my lovely riding in Austria. Yes they were all Icelandics. Pretty and stocky - although I am tall they didn't feel too small. Have a lovely time!

A bit nearer to you is Jill Gabb Carenza's place in Stanton near Broadway. She has amazing schoolmasters for lessons and the hacks are gorgeous. I've taken my daughter for her birthday and then my non-horsey husband. Just tell them what you want to work on and watch the miracles happen!

I've ridden at High Bullen several times and the hacking is fantastic. Food was great and the horses I rode were well schooled and safe. Would love to go back again - maybe when the children are older!

Update 1. I did my riding weekend with some hacking on Dartmoor with
Shilstone Rocks Stud. They have mainly Highlands there and I had two lovely mounts, they went to a great deal of trouble ( including trying me on 2 others before settling for "Dollar" on the Sunday) to ensure you get a suitable horse for your needs. I was very impressed, countered some of my nerves and had a great time. Off to Iceland on 25 June, will report back when I get home.

Glad you had a lovely time, they seem to be very nice people (we have one of their dartmoors).