Equestrian Vacations

Thanks to Phil, our guru when it comes to all things website related, you are more than likely to have found our blog by clicking on the shiny new ‘blog button’ on the home page. Much to our delight we are hoping that this will enable people to keep up to date with Equestrian Escapes news - everything from how Sarah is getting on training her youngsters to new packages and special offers.

To those of you who are new to reading our blog I am Lindsey and I have been wotking at EE for just over a year. Sarah is managing director, Lou works in accounts and Jose is in our Spanish office in Seville handling all of the non-UK bookings. Our office is in Tarporley, Cheshire. Sarah’s son Matt is also working in the office running his new business, Music Festival Holidays! From my desk I look out over Mark’s (Sarah’s husband) brand new Coi Carp pond and 10 acres of land where Julio, Nessa, Ferdie and Alfie (Sarah’s horses) roam in their little herd. We also have Hector and Lily Sarah’s dogs.

Earlier this week Sarah was struggling with what to buy Mark for his fast approaching 50th birthday. After mulling over several ideas we decided on a new Coi for the pond, who would have thought there were so many to choose from! In the end we went for..here goes.. a Doitsu Tancho Kujaku. Arriving at 7.30 this morning in a box shipped straight from Japan ‘Birthday’ the new appropriately named fish seems to be settling in just fine with his new friends.

For all non-fish related enquiries dont hesitate to call us on 01829 781123.

Last week Sarah and I left the cold Cheshire weather behind and flew out to Andalucia to visit some of our providers. We flew from Liverpool to Seville with Ryan Air, the have flights going direct on a Friday and a Monday! In Seville we picked up a hire car, what fun we had driving through Spain on the opposite side of the road. Our first assignment was to visit Jose and Clemence in our Spanish office on the outskirts of the city and what a fantastic job they are doing. It was great to get a feel for their setup, we are even considering installing a video link so we can discuss bookings ‘face to face’ as opposed to boring old email! Next thing was to drive to Jerez where we stayed in the most beautiful boutique hotel. Converted from an old shooting lodge that belonged to the Tio Pepe family, this exquisite 10 bedroom buliding is set in stunning gardens surrounded by the family vineyard.

The next day we drove out to stables where we rode with Alfonso, a famous name amoungst the EE team for charming the socks off our customers and boy did he charm! Alfonso was born into a family that for centuries has been at the heart of equestrianism in Jerez. He worked for five years with one of the most acclaimed professors of the Royal Riding School of Jerez and now works along side us to offer simply the best riding experience that Andalucia has to offer.

Our third and final destination was Tarifa. This area of the coast is known by the Spanish as La Costa de la Luz (coast of light) and as you gaze out on your surroundings you will quickly understand why, as the light in this region has a quality all of its own. After a long drive we settled into our hotel with a selection of tapas and a cold glass of chardonnay! The next day we were up bright and early for a morning beach riding with Katja. As we cantered along the vast stretch of white snady beach, and then continued up into the National Park land it was hard to imagine that in 24hrs we would be back in cold rainy Cheshire.

As midday passed we decided to get back on the road (opposite side) and head back to Seville where we would spend our final night. It wasnt long after we arrived at the hotel that we were off out the door again on a walking tour of the city with the amazing Paloma. Her passion and enthusiasm overflowed as she lead us thought the tiny side streets, passed the quaint tapas bars and up to the magnificent Alcazar.

Sadly on Monday we had to bid farewell to Seville, but dont worry we are already planning our next trip..Almeria and Granada!

A holiday recently added to Equestrian Escapes’ range of inspiring riding holidays is in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.  The beautiful Yorkshire Dales provide an excellent location for pony trekking, for the novice and experienced rider alike.

A range of accommodation awaits; B&B, a Georgian Country House Hotel or pretty self catering cottage – the choice is yours!  After a short session in the riding centre’s arena getting to know your mount, you will then venture into the spectacular Yorkshire heather moorland for a pony trekking experience you will not forget.  What better way to enjoy the stunning Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors than on horseback!

Choose between one hour, half day or full day pony trekking aboard one of the Fell, Dale or Cob horses, all with exceptional temperaments.  All pony trekking excursions are supervised by an experienced and qualified guide and are suitable for all levels of rider. 

Those that are not yet confident in the saddle need not miss out on their pony trekking experience as lead rein treks are available for younger, less experienced riders.

What are you waiting for?  Blow the cobwebs away and stave off any winter blues with a visit to Yorkshire!

For those of you who wish to get the absolute most out of your horse riding holiday, and wish to continue learning and training with their own horse, Equestrian Escapes has the solution – www.activerider.co.uk.

Active Rider is our partner company, and organises both traditional and themed Horse Camps in wonderful venues with excellent facilities.  This first class tuition break with your own horse is for riders of all standards; whether you are a true amateur or the most experienced of riders, there is always more to learn!  Active Rider ensures that there are excellent equestrian facilities that are there for you to benefit from.  All instruction is of the highest standard, whereby Active Riders specialise in Dressage, Cross Country, Show Jumping, Showing & Camps with a natural theme.  Active Riders offers a wonderfully opportunity to learn more about your horse and train and learn together.  With this type of horse riding holiday you are able to take away valuable instruction that you will have learned on your holiday, for example you can use your knowledge learned from a one to one nutritional analysis, course walks, reiki, side saddle, positive coaching (NLP), animal communication, sports massage (human & equine) just to name a few!

If you are interested in this type of horse riding holiday opportunity, please get in touch with Equestrian escapes, or click through to www.activerider.co.uk.

Throughout the hectic holiday season of 2010 equestrian escapes have gone from strength to strength, consistantly providing a thoroughly satisfying holiday experience for customers of all natures. Whether you’re jetting to Portugal for a long weekend of luxury and culture or a brief rural getaway in Cheshire takes your fancy, we ensure that your every need will be met.

As a UK based holiday business it’s implicit that our local breaks in Cheshire, Berkshire, Devon, Bournemouth,  Wales, Cornwall and Shropshire will be refined to perfection.                                                  

riding with equestrian escapes

These holidays have been tried and tested to a near excessive degree resulting in the perfect combination of leisure and equestrian adventure for you the consumer! As our most popular holiday, we receive a large amount of feedback about Cheshire, which is convenient as the managing director Sarah lives a 10 minute walk from the stables. A combination of friendly staff and breathtaking scenery which indulges the soul provide for a user friendly and entirely relaxing holiday location.

There’s no need to merely take our word for it, the testemonials section on our website is evidence of an entirely fulfilled network of customers. One satisfied consumer stated “Your expertise was much appreciated when planning my schedule, I was really happy with the lunge and flat lessons and the number of rides out that I did – it all worked out perfectly.” This is clearly the popular opinion when given the chance to experience one of our holidays, which is evident if you read any of our testimonials, but only so much can be enjoyed from behind the confines of a computer monitor, so I can only urge you to indulge yourself and jump aboard!

The enticing Spanish scenery is enough to startle anyone, but what better way to view it than by horseback?  A horse riding holiday away in such bountiful locations whilst combining equestrianism with excellence is something that everyone should enjoy.  Equestrian Escapes offers horse riding holidays of high standard, of which two wonderful examples are Barcelona and Madrid.

Catalonia, the capital of the region, just a few miles from Barcelona, is an area of outstanding rustic beauty that has a charm of its own!  If you would like more of a rustic theme in your accommodation, perhaps choose the ‘casa rural’ option, or for those who are looking for pure luxury, there is the four star spa hotel.  on this holiday the riding is extensive, also with the option of jumping lessons, all for all standards of horse riding so there is no room for anyone to miss out.

Alternatively, Madrid could be your hostess, with stunning views that are yours to frolic in!  This horse riding holiday is perfect for those who like to combine sight-seeing and culture with horse riding and adventure!  Madrid is strewn with wonderful treasures of the region, such as castles and ruins that make it so picturesque and memorable.  On this horse riding holiday you get the opportunity to design your own holiday experience to ensure that you will have the most fantastic time!

For your perfect horse riding holiday check out our website, or alternatively call us directly on 01829 781 123.  We look forward to hearing from you!

One of the many activities to be found on a horse riding holiday, Cornwall

Cornwall is famous for its natural beauty, and in particular the beaches.  Equestrian Escapes has found two wonderful sandy beaches in Western Cornwall that are just perfect for a horse riding holiday.  This holiday is fantastic fun for everyone, and filled with activities, so there is no room for boredom!  This holiday can take you on all sorts of naughty adventures, including the chocolate factory, the local ice-cream farm and local, home-made organic Cornish Pasties that melt in the mouth.

And when it comes to riding, the adventure just doesn’t stop;  be it flat work, help with nervous riders, show jumping, cross-country or hacks including riding on the never-ending neighbouring beaches that are wonderful for a slow canter.

This holiday package is designed for those who like to be kept busy, but also like some spice in their life.  The Cornish beaches are entirely breathtaking, and the local activities are also to die for!  For more information about any of our horse riding holidays, please do not hesitate to contact Equestrian Escapes.

Equestrian Escapes' Horse Riding Holiday, Berkshire

Berkshire is typically picturesque and its fabulous beauty is set in the most ideal of places.  Close to London and Oxford, Berkshire can easily tempt you into a wonderful mini break, and even for the kids too.  You may even be tempted into a mid week mini break, filled with fresh air and the picturesque valley and wonderful woodland make it perfect for walks and trekking on horseback.

If you are one for sight seeing as well as horse riding, then Berkshire is perfect for you.  Windsor Castle, Highclere Castle, or even bird watching in the tranquil Beagle Park (also wonderful to visit with a good book).  The fresh air and picturesque scenery clears your mind, and takes you far away from the hustle and bustle of home life.  And more than that, Berkshire is simply a horsey haven; Ascot, Royal Windsor, Newbury racecourse and Lambourne are just a short drive away.

If you are looking for your children to learn in a peaceful area of such a pretty nature, then choose a horse riding holiday that offer you exactly what you want.  This holiday offers an opportunity of younger learners to stay with us with out there parents, perhaps with friends in the summer holidays.  We offer twenty-four hour adult supervision, and ensure that your kids get to know horses better, and improve their skills with them.  As well as this there will be other activities, including swimming, games, films, picnics, barbecues, ball games and walks around this area of natural beauty.  A wonderful horse riding holiday experience!

So, as you can see Berkshire offers a horse riding holiday for everyone, and if not, Equestrian Escapes will tailor make a horse riding holiday just for you.

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)