tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-179905222024-03-13T12:13:03.542+13:00Let's talk about HORSE RIDING HOLIDAYSI've set up this riding holiday blog to tell you more about my site <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com">WWW.FINDARIDINGHOLIDAY.COM</a> and also to create a community of horse lovers to discuss our riding holiday adventuresUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-66297149192398892132012-05-18T13:48:00.002+12:002012-05-18T13:48:53.378+12:00Horse swims 3km!Thought you might be interested in this amazing news story of one horse's will to survive in the midst of panic. Horses can swim and in fact swimming is used as physiotherapy in many rehabilitation centres but they are not built to swim large distances.
Off the coast of California, an emergency crew rescued a horse that became stranded in the ocean after it swam more than three kilometres out to sea.
The seven-year-old white Arabian called William was spooked by the sound of breaking surf as the tide came in during a photo shoot on a Santa Barbara beach on Tuesday evening, prompting it to run into the ocean.
The photographers tried unsuccessfully to coax it back to shore, but the horse swam even further out to sea.
Here's a link to the <a href="http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8469402/horse-swims-three-kilometres-off-shore">full story</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-2017202180208496392012-05-14T23:14:00.002+12:002012-05-14T23:15:56.584+12:00Marvellous MexicoExciting news from Lucia and Pepe at Finca Enyhe in the beautiful mountain town of Valle to Bravo. In addition to their <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=108¤cy=">HORSE RIDING HOLIDAYS</a> they are now offering other themed options including <a href="http://www.mexicobirdwatching.com">A BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAY</a> and <a href="http://www.mexicooutdooradventuretravel.com">A WEEK OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL</a> including hiking, kayaking and sailing and cycling.
I can personally testify to the quality of holiday you are likely to get with Lucia and Pepe, having enjoyed two magnificent riding holidays myself. Pepe and Lucia are supremely experienced horse people and carefully match each rider to their well trained horse. The trail covers some 150 miles over the course of the week and the wonderful things is you get to combine the adventure of full days in the saddle and breathtaking scenery with the luxury of staying in luxury accommodation. (The horses are stalled on the trail while the riders are taken by bus back to the ranch). Finca Enyhe itself has been lovingly restored and is five-star quality, the cooking supreme and the village itself very charming.
You can forget all the hype about Mexico being unsafe. Valle de Bravo is a small town lakeside town (a playground for the residents of Mexico City) where you can happily walk around, hail a cab and interact with the locals.
In fact it's also a great base for a DIY holiday and if that's your preference, Finca Enyhe also operates as an <a href="http://www.hotelvalledebravomexico.com">INDEPENDENT HOTEL</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r9ia2CRCxagjd7n-QZX79CSRoFex82F3VB_GJ-l7eSUZ-tLJKTifuunUPeyqEBBO8tvoGYBwVI1A_nGY54qh8eD88NXuAwRObQVQXk-ywqN5NuXLx5DtyWRlh-C57ZXNFGaDkA/s1600/IMG_3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r9ia2CRCxagjd7n-QZX79CSRoFex82F3VB_GJ-l7eSUZ-tLJKTifuunUPeyqEBBO8tvoGYBwVI1A_nGY54qh8eD88NXuAwRObQVQXk-ywqN5NuXLx5DtyWRlh-C57ZXNFGaDkA/s320/IMG_3066.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-48461720156780743422009-06-01T19:35:00.002+12:002009-06-01T19:42:26.067+12:00Horseback Safari operator quits KenyaA popular horseback safari operator is shipping out of Kenya due to the troubles there. Although the world recession has also played a part in their decision to close the business, Mark and Carla from Siruai Safaris say their failing faith in Kenya is the primary reason. We have seen the decline of the Mara with our own eyes," says Mark. "Our coalition government is utterly ineffective, and while they struggle to maintain law and order, wild life outside of National Parks/ Reserves stands no chance of being correctly protected. With 78 lions poisoned (that we know of) in the group ranches that we ride through there seems little point in offering a safari here."<br /> The latest devastating events are the poisoning of the lions which looks to decimate the population of these proud, wonderful creatures. The problem stems from the cheap availability of highly toxic poison, a tiny amount of which can kill several lions. The method is the lacing of a carcass with the poison which the lions then feed on. The culprits? Some say it's maasai and pastoralists who are simply acting to protect their livelihood. When a lion kills a cow, it's a huge loss. The easiest, and cheapest way to keep the lions away is to poison them. Shocking but true. There is a scheme in place to compensate for cattle losses and negate the need for poisons but the areas where this is a problem are huge and the schemes are just beginning. There were calls to stop the selling of the poison, a bottle of which can be picked up very cheaply in most villages. Even with no new poison being brought in, remaining stocks will last a long time. Read more from:<br /><a href="http://maratriangle.wildlifedirect.org/2008/06/27/the-maasai-are-not-poisoning-lions-in-the-mara-triangle/">Wildlife Direct: The Maasai are not poisoning the lions in the Mara Triangle</a><br /><a href="http://www.lionconservation.org/lion-poisoning.html">Living with Lions: Lion poisoning - an urgent issue</a><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7460008.stm">BBC: Insecticide 'killing Kenya lions</a><br /><br />There are still operators offering horseback safaris in Africa and it remains an amazing experience - to spot wild game from horseback. See here for <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/southafrica_riding.php">Horse Riding Holidays in South Africa</a>, listed on <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/index.php">www.findaridingholiday.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1155297860746409832006-08-11T23:58:00.000+12:002006-08-12T09:51:08.666+12:00UK holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/hol93.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/hol93.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />You've got to praise the police/fbi for foiling such a devestating terror attack attempt.<br /><br />With the resulting and understandable chaos at the UK airports and no telling how long it will last, it might be a good time to look at what holiday options there are on offer on our own shores.<br /><br />In terms of riding country, the UK has some wonderful areas such as Yorkshire, the West Country, Northumberland, not to mention the outstanding scenery in Scotland and Wales.<br /><br />There are a good range of options available on the site. Click here for <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/uk_riding.php">UK riding holidays</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1153218702523717692006-07-18T22:18:00.000+12:002007-01-30T10:40:13.636+13:00Italy's Medieval Horse RaceAugust is a wonderful time to visit Tuscany in Italy and why not time a riding holiday to co-ordinate with Siena's famous horse race and festival Il Palio. Held annually on July 2 and August 16, join 50,000 people who flock to watch this spectacular and totally unique horse race dating back to the middle ages. Read all about Il Palio on <a href="http://www.ilpalio.org/palioenglish.htm">the official site</a> and check out these operators running <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/italy_riding.php">horse riding holidays in Italy</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1153086580526036422006-07-17T09:45:00.000+12:002006-07-17T10:20:04.123+12:00You've gotta love Latin America<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/DSCN1155.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/DSCN1155.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />So, I thought I'd tell you a little about a book that I'm contributing to. Due to be published soon, it's called <a href="http://www.livetravelguides.com/live-list/">Latin America</a> and it's published by Livelist. It will be available on amazon sometime after August.<br />It's a great idea. Basically the whole book is excerpts from a diverse bunch of travellers, writers and photographers. So it's kind of community publishing. I can't wait to see the book. My contribution is about my wonderful riding holiday to Mexico. You can <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/mexico.php">read the review</a> here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1153003850883054442006-07-16T10:47:00.000+12:002006-07-17T10:27:15.526+12:00Cool off in Iceland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/hol7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/hol7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />If the heat is getting too much for you in the UK, think about a riding holiday to Iceland. The summer is the best time to go for the best chance of good weather. It won't be anything as hot as the UK is right now and if you're unlucky (or lucky depending on how fed up with the heat you are), you might experience a fair bit of wind and rain too. While London is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures into the 80s farenheit, Iceland is lanquishing in the 60s. Whatever the weather, the scenery is spectacular and there's no better way to experience it than on top of one of the hardy native Icelandic horses. So, stop wilting and go after some adventure. Click this link to find <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/inbrief.php?region=Europe&month=&destination=Iceland">riding holiday companies in Iceland</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1152510631936596572006-07-15T21:49:00.000+12:002006-07-15T14:47:20.010+12:00New Admin Section On siteSo, a word about our new admin section. Programmed by the wonderful <a href="http://www.duhkha.com">Bea Kremer</a>, this section gives each of our advertisers their own password so that they can keep their holiday listings up to date, post new pictures, new info or special offers. It also automates the payment of listings - horrah.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1136541376183328912006-07-13T20:48:00.000+12:002007-01-30T10:41:21.144+13:00Portuguese Holiday Homes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/hol86.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/hol86.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />According to <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/place_in_the_sun/20_make_money.html">A Place In The Sun European Top 20</a>, the top three places to buy a holiday home in Europe were, in order, Romania, Poland and Portugal - all offering over 400 per cent return on investment over a ten-year period! Well, Romania's infrastructure is still quite basic and you'd have to be brave to invest there, Poland is on the up but Portugal. Well Portugal is gorgeous. Warm weather, lovely scenery, wild beaches and what has this got to do with riding holidays I hear you cry. Well, you want your holiday home to be in a good area for riding don't you? Check out these horse <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/inbrief.php?region=Europe&month=&destination=Portugal">riding riding holidays in Portugal</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1152705872560444562006-07-12T23:58:00.000+12:002006-07-13T00:04:32.586+12:00Just moved to NZ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/hol95.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/hol95.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Well, very exciting to have a change of scene, I am living in New Zealand for six months minimum. It's a beautiful country I'd urge everyone to visit. Especially nature lovers as it's a paradise of varied scenery.<br /><br />Of course there's great horse riding here too. Check out these <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/inbrief.php?region=Pacific&month=&destination=New+Zealand">riding holiday companies</a> all offering fabulous treks, from day beach rides on the sub tropical west coast of the top north island to a week's pack trip across the wild interior of the south island.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1136540054462458282006-01-06T22:33:00.000+13:002006-02-19T03:05:02.986+13:00More Celebrity horse loversHere's another link about <a href="http://www.bodogbeat.com/archives/2005/12/celebrities_and.html">Celebrities And Their Horses.</a><br><br />So, I've talked about the boys... now the girls. This feature talks about Shania Twain and how she featured one of her show horses in her 'Any Man of Mine' video. And how Christy Brinkley is a champion cutting horse rider. <a href="http://www.hecklerspray.com/hecklerspray/2005/06/tara_palmertomk.html">Tara Palmer-Tomkinson spoke out</a> last summer about how kids should aspire to ride horses rather than be famous. And of course we all know about the queen of pop. <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004580002-2005580097,00.html">Madonna's horse nightmares</a> are a result of her unfortunate accident last August just a month after she began learning to ride. She ended up cracking three ribs and busting her collar bone but it hasn't put her off. It's nice to know Olympic medallist <a href="http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds25087.html">William Fox-Pitt</a> was on hand to help her out. Well, if you can afford the best, go for it. She also climbed back on board for the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1235598">David Letterman Show</a> last October. Apparently <a href="http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment/filmandtv/tv/s/177/177543_corrie_tina_does_a_madonna.html">Corrie Star Tina O'Brian</a> who plays Sarah Platt, also took a tumble. Unfortunatley, it has put her off. I meet so many people who are put off horses by an early fall. OK sometimes it's because the rider wants to run (or canter) before they can walk, but sometimes, I'm afraid to stay it is down to the school using unsuitable horses and that really grates on me.<br><br />OK, back to the boys. <a href="http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment/filmandtv/tv/s/192/192905_love_is_learning_to_ride_a_horse_properly.html">Laurence Fox learnt to ride to play Prince Charles</a> in the recently aired TV Drama Whatever Love Means about the Charles and Camilla romance. He found it hard to master and of course it is. I remember it took me an age to learn rising trot and I was a young kid so I should have been a fast learner. That's part of why it's so rewarding. You have to earn confidence in the saddle with riding hours.<blockquote><br />"I love the way the world looks on horseback, the way it moves by… You get to experience the sound of your own heartbeat and the sense of silence that is so important to us all.” William Shatner.</blockquote><br />Yes I agree Bill.... That's why I love riding holidays!<br><br />Shatner's love for horses led him to his involvement with <a href="http://www.horseshow.org/hchs/index0000000000ECB4FF.htm">AHEAD With Horses</a>, a charity organization that gives physically and mentally challenged children the thrill of riding a horse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1136483214446913692006-01-06T06:31:00.000+13:002006-01-06T07:47:51.156+13:00Celebrities and their horsesIf you could afford a top-of-the-range car or a top-of-the-range horse, which would you get? I know for me it would be the horse. A car only needs to go from A to B. Maybe it's because I'm a girl. But it's nice to know that boys sometimes think like this too. Mmmm.. and what boys! I was wondering which celebrities liked horses when I came across this archived link from CBS about <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/07/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main648076.shtml">Celebrities And Their Horses.</a> It's about a book called People We Know, Horses They Love. So who are the men in question? Robert Redford of course, as if his starring role in The Horse Whisperer didn't tell us that already. He particularly loves Palominos - wouldn't you just know he'd be into blondes! And Richard Gere, who's dotty about Appaloosas. Oooh. Do you think either of them would like to accompany me on a holiday? Well, a girl's gotta dream.<br><br />And the book? Well, People We Know, Horses They Love is published by American publisher Rodale and is written by Jill Rappaport and Wendy Wilkinson with never-seen-before photography from Linda Soloman. It looks like a real gem - perfect on any coffee table. Plus it's on offer at just £20. Excuse me while I go order...<br><br /><iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=wwwfindaridin-21&o=2&p=9&l=st1&mode=books&search=people we know horses they love&=1&fc1=<1=_blank&lc1=&bg1=&f=ifr" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" width="180" height="150" border="0" frameborder="0" style="border:none;" scrolling="no"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1136377500860576002006-01-05T01:12:00.000+13:002006-01-05T01:33:19.986+13:00Happy New Year riders!Just a quick note to wish fellow horse riders a happy new year. Here's looking forward to great horseback adventures in 2006. I myself am off to Australia next week. The primary reason is for a friend's wedding but of course, I'll fit in a few days of riding too. I'm planning to visit <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=154">Snowy River Horseback Adventures</a> in the Snowy Mountains which is just outside of Canberra, and accessible from Sydney and Melbourne too. If you've heard of the man from Snowy River – this is where he hails from! Then at the end of March I'm hoping to visit Latin America where I would love to ride in the lake district of Argentina at <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=160">Gatomancha Riding Patagonia</a>. I also like the look of <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=39">Perol Chico</a> in Peru too though! <br><br>There are so many wonderful places to chose from. If you're planning your own riding trip do take a good look at my <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com">Riding Holiday Directory</a>. It has information on more than 70 riding holiday companies worldwide plus a unique search function, advice and reviews.<br />Happy Browsing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1136552464974590242005-12-29T01:59:00.000+13:002006-07-13T09:31:28.196+12:00Proud to be on Milliondollarhomepage!Not sure it's the kind of advertising that will get me many hits but I'm proud to be part of <a href="http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/">The Million Dollar Homepage</a>. Mostly because it's the first of a new breed of sites. A true brainwave from a 19-y-o who needed money to pay university fees. He came up with this really simple idea to sell pixels and hey presto, fame and fortune. You've got to admire such enterprises. <br /><br />To find our add, the little ears, look at the middle and scroll down, you'll see - monkeys fall from trees - we're three squares under the o of 'from'. Tiny yes, but we're there. A part of history.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1132702466805551992005-11-23T12:30:00.000+13:002005-11-23T12:34:26.816+13:00my site is Yahoo's favourite!It is fitting that as <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com">www.findaridingholiday.com</a> celebrates its first anniversary on the web, it has achieved top ranking on Yahoo for the prime search phrase riding holiday. Now, I just need to conquer Google. And somehow maintain the Yahoo topspot.<br /><br />Search engine optimisation is hard! But I really hope this site will catch on. In case you're not au fait with the site, here's a description:<br /><br />The site is a directory of worldwide riding holidays with over 70 companies listed worldwide. Holidays include adventure-based trips such as wildlife safaris and trekking across wilderness as well as center-based holidays which focus on the dual aspects of luxury accommodation and quality horseriding.<br /><br />The brainchild of Jo Stanford (that's me!), a UK-based horse rider and journalist, the site is aimed at offering individual riding holiday companies greater exposure on the internet and helping riders find their perfect holiday without having to trawl through thousands of search engine results. <br /><br />Users can compare lots of different options for riding holidays using the unique search function – the site acts as a portal to the world of equestrian tourism. Plus, as well as giving detailed information on over 70 riding holiday companies, it also includes real rider reviews for added inspiration, native breed profiles and advice on safety matters and what to take. Visting this site is a must for anyone researching a riding holiday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1132187766063948392005-11-17T13:35:00.000+13:002006-01-06T08:25:03.526+13:00Riding Holiday Pics of AndalusiaHere are some more riding pictures to inspire you. This time of my holiday at Los Alamos in Spain.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.josie.smugmug.com/gallery/960967">Andalusia pictures</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1132188011191638402005-11-08T13:38:00.000+13:002005-11-17T13:41:18.496+13:00Riding holiday kit listHi guys, I need your help. I've published a <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/riding_kit.php">kit list </a>for riding holidays on my site. But have I covered everything? If you can think of anything I should add, please leave me a message.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1131024047788536652005-11-04T02:16:00.000+13:002005-11-04T02:21:36.936+13:00Riding Holiday PicturesJust thought I'd share my pictures with you of two wonderful riding holidays:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/473861">Mexican Horse Adventure</a><br><br /><a href="http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/777272">Riding in Iceland with Ishestar</a><br /><br />Wherever in the world you're looking to go on holiday. You will find what you're looking for at <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com">www.findaridingholiday.com</a><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1129630672766267372005-10-17T22:00:00.000+13:002005-10-19T04:07:05.666+13:00Riding in Andalusia<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/forblog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/forblog.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Wow. Just back from a fantastic riding holiday in Andalusia. I went with a company called Los Alamos. Everything was really well organised, the horses were forward going and impeccably behaved. It was pure unadulterated fun! You have to be a fairly good rider as there are lots of wonderful canters and gallops through the forests. The going is really sandy so it's just lovely riding country of umbrella pine forests and wonderful beaches. <br /><br />All the food and drink and riding is included in a fully inclusive price. There's almost a house party feel at Los Alamos. You ride in the morning and then have the afternoons to relax at the hacienda with it's communal living room (good selection of dvd's!), lovely pool (lots of loungers!) and sitting areas (wine and horse chat!). <br /><br />Los Alamos is a family outfit and everyone is so friendly. Sisters Rhiannon and Rachel are top-notch horsewomen which is evident from the well trained horses. Along with two other guides, Kathy and Jose, they ensure the rides and fun and safe and that all the horses and riders are well matched.<br /><br />Rhiannon is in charge of food and it is to die for. For lunch each day we'd either stop at a taverna with the horses tied up outside or we'd head back to Los Alamos and all sit round a big stone table in the shade for cold meats, tortilla and salads. In the evening we were served a three course meal with lovely home made dishes. It's a good job we were riding every day or we'd all have come home a tad heavier. <br /><br />In October the weather is just right for riding. Still warm enough for t-shirts and refreshing dips in the pool but not too hot that you get sticky in the saddle.<br /><br />I'll be posting a full review of the holiday on the site very soon. Look out for it on the <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/reviews.php">Riding holiday reviews section</a><br /><br />Find out about <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=152&name=Los%20Alamos%20Equestrian%20Holidays">Los Alamos Equestrian Holidays</a><br /><br />Meanwhile, has anyone else enjoyed a riding holiday in Andalusia. I'd love to hear about other people's experiences.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1129636644822359992005-10-17T00:50:00.000+13:002006-01-06T08:26:35.593+13:00Your riding holiday storiesEveryone knows word of mouth is the best recommendation possible. If you've enjoyed a great riding holiday, don't keep quiet about it. Tell other riders so that they can enjoy it too!<br /><br />This is what my site's about. Searching for riding holiday on the web returns literally millions of listings. Within these are hundreds of holiday companies. But first you've got to sift through the pages finding legitimate companies, then you've got to try and work out if they are reputable.<br /><br />My site changes all this. I've put together a <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com">Riding Holiday Directory</a> so that you have all the companies you need, worldwide, in one place. You can search by ability, month of travel or destination and you can compare loads of different companies all on the one site.<br /><br />And what's even better about my site (I think at least!) is that riders can post reviews of the holidays they've been on. So you really get first hand information about the quality of the company, the horses, the accommodation, everything.<br /><br />If you've been on a great riding holiday and want to tell others about it, post your review in the <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/reviews.php">Riding holiday reviews section</a><br /> and help me make my site even better and more useful to riders everywhere.<br /><br />Thanks guys!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1129632293529738062005-08-19T06:15:00.000+12:002005-10-19T03:36:53.186+13:00Riding in Iceland<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/35426971-O.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/35426971-O.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Just got back from a riding holiday in Iceland. Wow, it's such a unique experience. We rode right across Iceland's interior in a six-day marathon trek with between four and seven hours in the saddle each day. The Icelandic horses are just wonderful, such characters, really great disposition and so endearing. We changed horses at least once, sometimes twice every day, and travelled with a herd. In total we had 96 horses with us for 20 guests! The herd travelled either in front or behind us and I could never tire of watching them arrive or depart from our lunch spot or a midway grazing spot.<br /><br />It was really something to experience the tolt, the fifth gait unique to the Icelandic horse. It's like a running walk and very smooth to sit to. I spent most of my time asking my horse to tolt as we went at a trotting pace all day and tolt is much more comfortable! Some are happy to do it naturally, some you need to find the right button and it can take a while!<br /><br />The company I went with was Ishestar. They are one of the biggest, most long established companies in Iceland and everything was really well organised. Each night we stayed in a mountain hut in dorms (sleeping bags provided) and enjoyed wonderful food cooked by Siegrun. <br /><br />The tour I did was the Kjolur tour which goes from south to north across the middle of Iceland between two glaziers. The scenery was terrific, very different. The glaciers were in sight for a couple of days, other times it was just like a moonscape with rocks as far as the eye can see.<br /><br />I'll be posting a full review of the holiday on the site very soon. Look out for it on the <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/reviews.php">Riding holiday reviews section</a><br /><br />Find out about <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=103&name=Ishestar">Ishestar Holidays </a><br /><br />Also, I'd love to hear if anyone else has ridden in Iceland and what they've thought about the experienceUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17990522.post-1129635010473168422005-04-02T23:23:00.000+12:002006-04-28T10:13:52.606+12:00Riding in Mexico<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/1600/19313004-O3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/883/1749/320/19313004-O3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Just returned from an amazing riding holiday in Mexico. Accommodation was five star quality, a beautiful restored hacienda. The grounds were just stunning and there was a lovely pool and jacuzzi which were well used when we got back from the ride each evening. The wonderful thing about this ride was that we did a circular trail, but while the horses were stabled each night on the trail, we were transported back to our marvellous base by minibus. So we could really get comfortable in our surroundings, unpack etc, but at the same time feel like adventurous because we were completing a 200 mile circular trek.<br /><br />The horses were forward going and very well behaved. I had an instant rapour with my horse, Moro, a 15hh blue roan. He was only five and yet so well trained. He was raring to go when we had a canter but at the same time he would happily continue to walk quiety if another horse trotted or cantered past. Very handy when you're trying to take lots of pictures!<br /><br />Because it was early march we were just in time to see the Monarch butterflies in their hibernation spot in the forests. An amazing site, butterfly on top of butterfly - just a mass of orange. It was really special to witness such an amazing phenomenom. These butterflies migrate all the way from North America to come to the very tree that their ancester, something like seven times removed, was born in. Just amazing.<br /><br />You can read a full review of my marvellous holiday in Mexico in the <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/reviews.php">Riding holiday reviews section</a><br /><br />Find out about <a href="http://www.findaridingholiday.com/holdetails.php?holkey=108">Mexico Horse Vacations</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1