Equestrian Vacations

At Equestrian Escapes we offer a choice of eleven different riding holidays in Cheshire, so you are spoiled for choice!  Cheshire is famous for its green rolling hills, wonderful scenery and of course Cheshire’s delicious cheese!  Whatever takes your fancy, we have a horse riding holiday to suit you.  From a wonderful farm house break, or a forest log cabin holiday, to a fabulous country house hotel, or a luxurious spa. If you would rather be in self-catered accommodation, this is also available to you.  If you find that you are not happy with any of the holidays, we will tailor make a holiday just to suit your desires, but there is something for everyone in our wide selection of horse riding holidays in Cheshire.

Horse Riding Holidays, Cheshire

If you have a passion for chocolate as well as horses, then look no further!  The beautiful Georgian town of Tarporley, where you can visit The Old Fire Station Chocolate Shop where the owner, Charles, will let you sample some delicious hand-made truffles that you can even take home with you.

If you are looking for a horse riding holiday in which you would like to widen or improve your skills with horses, then check out what we have to offer.  If you plan to take a family riding holiday, again we have something that will suit you.  Perfect for kids, this holiday offers a quality BHS Riding Centre, so you can feel free to explore the other attractions that Cheshire has to offer.

Also available is an adult intensive riding break, from beginners to advanced. Set in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside, this break offers riders a unique experience to improve their riding and for the more advanced riders, a chance to jump.

If that’s not your thing, then dressage holidays offer wonderfully trained horses so that you are able to improve your skills on a reliable horse, or even bring your own horse!  We have two holidays which have this as an additional comfort, one holiday situated in Delamere, where scenic forests run on for miles around, and are excellent to explore on horseback, or even the Bishop Bennet Way, where you are able to take your own horses on scenic routes through the forests or farmlands that make Cheshire such a pretty county.  Get in touch with Equestrian Escapes to find out more details, and to book your perfect holiday.

Dear Equestrian Escapes,

I recently travelled to Slovenia and came across some horses that reminded me of a horse-riding holiday that I booked through you.  I went alone, to Barcelona and had the most wonderful time.  I remember especially that the horses were so healthy and well looked after, and Barcelona itself was so pretty.  I am currently travelling around Europe on business, but when I return I think I may just ring you to book a well-deserved horse-riding break!  Italy, perhaps this time!  Or perhaps I should try something entirely different?  Maybe the side-saddle?…….

I look forward to speaking to you on my return,

Many thanks,

Eduardo (Horse Expert)

Equestrian Escapes' Horse Riding Holidays

If you are looking for a holiday that is a bit different, and carries with it a sense of adventure, why not book a horse riding holiday?  Equestrian Escapes offers a wide variety of horse riding holidays, from Peru and Spain, Portugal and Italy, to the Uk and Ireland.  You can even take your horses with you on holiday, and learn new tricks together.  You can design your own riding plan to suit you from lessons, short hacks, half day rides to full day rides.

Riding in Berkshire

Accommodation is also varied, from pretty little B&Bs, to log cabin, quiet country hotels, to luxurious full board hotels and spas.

Here at Equestrian Escapes we are happy to discuss your perfect holiday.

I have been on horse riding holidays before, and recently used Equestrian Escapes so I found this holiday.  I wanted to take my own horses riding and looked for the best options.  I was a competitive rider, but my husband wanted to come with me and had never ridden before.  This was not a problem, and my husband received wonderful lessons with a very patient teacher, perfect for beginners!  All of the facilities were top class and the horses clearly looked after very well.  For my own horse he was given a traditional stable not far away from the other horses.  Parking was clearly signposted, and easy to get to.  I was even able to try riding side-saddle; an experience altogether unfamiliar, but great fun nonetheless!

We were so well looked after that even the trainers were kind enough to look over my horse with me, and give me nutritional advice.  It really was a holiday packed full of fun and adventure!

What is it about the English as soon as the sun comes out?  They slap on their factor fifty, roll up their sleeves to reveal pale and pasty bingo wings, and get all excited about the countryside!

Well, that was me, except I got REALLY excited.  On a whim I took my wife’s laptop into the garden and started surfing the internet for horse riding holidays.  The web pages were endless and I didn’t know where to begin!  Being almost computer illiterate I looked for something respectable, easy and accommodating – and there it was; Equestrian Escapes.  As I navigated my way through their clearly thought out website looking at the endless opportunities I could embark on, imagining myself in these beautiful pictures, I breathed a sigh of relief as my face began to spread into a grin.

There was Andalucía.  And Seville it would be!  The idea of a horse-drawn carriage showing off the city of Seville to me was the real clincher.  But, the Spanish country home, the inviting olive groves, the Spanish food as well as beautiful beaches needed little persuasion.

I am booked to go in a couple of weeks, and cannot wait!  Equestrian Escapes made a holiday made just for me, and I was able to choose from their many luxurious choices in order to make a holiday perfect for me.  I’ll let you know how the tapas tasted!

Ron Howarth

Yet another stunning day in Seville, Andalucia

Ron kindly gave us this article after becoming aware of our blog here at Equestrian Vacations for Equestrian Escapes. Soon after he wrote this and emailed it to our staff (know how you can find on our Contact Us page) he phoned up and arranged a holiday, within two weeks he was sat in Andalucia eating tapas for lunch after a great mornings riding. Now that is a good example of what we at Equestrian Escapes aim to achieve when delivering fantastic landscapes and scenery to our beloved customers. We’re here for you.

Welsh Beach Riding

 Thursday. Arrive onto the Welsh coastline and settle into you lovely 4 star cottage for your long weekend riding holiday. This Bed and Breakfast has been carefully restored and redecorated to once again relive its former glory. Inside are medieval vaulted cielings and original details preserved from the past. It has its own walled gardens holding a view to the ancient church of Saint Madoc. The bedrooms have great views, good beds, digital radios, a vareity of books and ensuite bathrooms. Once you have settled in you may have time for a ride, if not then riding will commence tommorrow.  Tonight you can choose to eat out from one of the local pubs.

A canter in the shallow water

 Friday. After a hearty breakfast it will be stable time! Head to the stables and they will quickly assess your ability and allocate you an appropriate steed. They have a large selection of good horses ranging in suitability for all levels. Ponies or horses. These fine animals can cater from those who have ridden for decades to children who are trying riding for the first time. This morning you will enjoy a hack out after having a horse allocated to you. This is a great chance to improve your riding. After lunch, you have the oppourtunity to go riding in the woodlands. This ride will take you through some of the private thirtyfive acres of private valley owned by the stables. In the woodland you may spot any number of foxes, badgers, pheasants, rabbits and other freely roaming wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled! The woodland is peaceful and you will walk and trot down paths following the natural flow of the valley. There are many different routes to take. From advanced small cross-country jump routes, all the way to relaxed walking routes. It is very much so your choice. You will be accommpanied by an experienced, friendly guide available to give you tips on your riding and show you the area.

Riding in Wales

 Saturday holds longer rides in this particular area of the British countryside, to Druidstone Haven. You’ll be hacking through more woodland valleys and also along stunning coastal tracks and lush pasture land. The coastal tracks and pastureland overlook the inlets of Nolton and Druidston. They give an excelent bird’s eye view over St.Bride’s Bay. You will be able to ride on the beaches of Newgale and Broad Haven out of high season, so it’s important that if you would like to ride the beaches you give us a ring on 01829 781123 and consult our staff on suitable dates and oppourtunities. These awe inspiring beaches offer up to 2 miles of sand when the tide is at is lowest. This afternoon you will be riding on the beach to Druidstone Haven this peaceful, stunning and dramatic beach is situated just over a mile from the stables. Druidstone is nationally renowned for the ‘Telly Tubby House’ and the area’s natural geography.

Sunday. After breakfast, head to the fully certified stables, a Visit Wales Certified Activity Center and member of  the Wales Trekking and Riding Association. This morning is another chance to head to the beach and split up into smaller groups based on ability for maximum enjoyment of the breathtaking views and scenery at your own pace may that be walk, trot or canter. After your ride you will have the opportunity to say goodbye to your new found friends and horses before you depart.

This three night holiday includes accommodation as stated on B&B basis with five riding opportunities for £395 see Horse Riding Holidays Wales

Or for a complete change of scene for British folk weary of English weather, check out Horse Riding Adventure Holidays Spain

Whilst indulging my equestrian passion during a Riding Holiday in Bournemouth my mind began to drift from the lazy swell of the sea to an article I recently stumbled upon in Horse & Hound. It had the most astounding picture attached, which held Freddie Wettach in the centre, hovering, having jumped an unofficial record breaking height of eight feet, three and a half inches!

8ft 3 1/2in

Despite the reading of the article not being particularly recent, I found the picture had been permanantly embeded in my head. Such a spectacular sight it is to see my equine hero acheiving such a monumental feat with a man clinging onto his back for dear life.

I glanced around me along the beach longing to find an obstacle to jump in order to emulate the vision now imprinted on my brain. My eyes fell on a neatly stacked pile of deck chairs and my mind took over…… I was rapidly hurtling on my fine steed towards the group of deck chairs alongside which lay a large umbrella and a watercooler. With little time to take evasive action and command my beautiful black Warmblood clear of the innocent furniture. Rangolf (the german steed) made the necessary calculations and commited to the most electrifying jump of my forty three years on the planet.

In what I likely suspect was a record attempt of his very own Rangolf launched himself at the very same angle of an airplane at take-off and for a moment time froze still. I found my head racing with all my most cherised memories. My first hack on a riding weekend in Cheshire. The summer of 2009 in which I chiefly lived in Windsor, riding daily in The Great Park. And numerous childhood memories long since forgotten.

At this point I looked below me to see the sheer height that we had reached and I realised there was a very good chance I could make it. Rangolf had done me proud. We landed in the sand but inches away from the watercooler. Snap! Just like that I’m pulled out of my daydream and back to the Bournmouth Beach Ride. I thought this new anecdote is faintly reminiscent of Mad Jack Mytton’s story published in the article Spend Your 52 Weekends Wisely. Eager not to be left behind I urge my horse forward as the instructor shouts time for a canter, did she realise I had just broken the world equestrian high jump record (even if it had been just in my mind!)

One of the things that is often on peoples ‘must do’ list is to have a go at riding horses.

Most children dream about riding ponies and if they don’t get the chance whilst they are young they often think they have left it too late. This is not the case, even if you have never had the chance of horse riding before we can give you the opportunity to make that experience a reality.

We can offer you the chance to have some riding lessons, riding our safe, willing schoolmasters and learn a few basics from our experienced instructors. You will often start riding horses in the arena where you will get to know your horse which will have been carefully selected and matched to you. You will learn how to start and stop and then progress from walk to a slow trot. Later you will have the chance to gently ride out into the local countryside, taking in amazing scenery often not accessible otherwise. All to soon it will be time to go home and dream about your next trip riding horses.

For pony mad children why not join us for our pony for the day. Enjoy some lessons riding your pony and get to know a few stable management basics. Whilst enjoying your day you will also have the chance to meet other children also experiencing the magic of pony riding.

Alot of us dream about riding horses on a beach and in the sea. Equestrian Escapes can help you realise that dream whatever your riding ability. Horses love the freedom the beach offers and their enjoyment is catching. The scenery that is viewed whilst riding horses is breathtaking and the experience will be unforgetable.

It will soon be Christmas and lots of us are scratching our heads and wondering what to buy our loved ones this year and how to amuse our children during the holidays. You can solve both these problems with a short riding holiday including some riding instruction.

Why not treat yourself or your wife, girlfriend or daughter to a break in Cheshire on our Adult Intensive riding programme. This holiday offers a superb package of riding lessons for people who want to improve their basic riding skills, to others who want to have more advanced dressage lessons or jumping lessons. The programme includes riding lessons on the lunge and in the arena, hacking out and also stable management lessons to increase your knowledge of everything related to looking after horses.

If you are thinking of treating your horse mad children to some riding lessons we recommend our family riding holidays. There is something for everyone to do, Dad can play golf around the 18 hole golf course set in picturesque countryside, mum can pamper herself in the luxury 4 star spa hotel and the children can spend the day at the stables. The pony for a day is a great way for your children to have fun whilst learning lots of information about horses and meeting new friends. They will have riding lessons on the flat from qualified instructors on well schooled ponies, hack out in the forest and learn how to look after their ponies.

Perhaps Mum and Dad would also like to taste a bit of the fun and have a go at some riding tuition themselves. Even if you have never ridden before you can have a few private riding lessons in the safety of the arena on our willing schoolmasters and then you will be able to swap stories with your children over dinner.