Equestrian Vacations

A question often asked is what experience do the Equestrian Escapes team have with horses?

Well, my name is Emma Shore and I own a horse called Wee Welsh Lady (Lady). I have been working at Equestrian Escapes for the past 3 years on a part time basis whilst studying at University. Lady is a Welsh Cob x Throughbred. I compete with Lady most weekends in BSJA showjumping competitions. To date I have won many prestigious competitions.

I got Lady 7 years ago and she had never done any show jumping before. She had previously competed in working hunter classes to a high level and qualified and competed at many of the top shows.

She was the perfect horse for me as I was only 13 when I got her so we could both start in British Novice classes and slowly progress together. Soon after this I had qualified for the British Novice and Discovery Championships in Lincolnshire. Unfortunately because I was still at school I couldn’t compete in the Discovery as it was during school time. However, I went and competed in the British Novice. I qualified for the final in which I came 2^nd. I also won the under 21 qualifier but didn’t jump her in the final as we wanted to save her for the British Novice.

After this success I qualified for numerous other championships including the Scope 1.15 metre class. At Scope I qualified for the main ring in the 1.15 metre. This class was inside and there was a fountain in the ring and Lady hates water. I was slightly worried that there was a fence that looked like it was jumping straight into the fountain and I was correct to be worried. I fell off and ended up breaking my finger. However, after this I came 3^rd in the Star of the Future class.

Additionally, she won a Welsh Master Championship as well as numerous 1.15, 1.20, 1.25 and 1.30 classes. In August 2009 I won 2 championships at Aintree Equestrian Centre.

Lady was having a rest during the winter of 2009 when she jumped put of her field onto the concrete yard. When she did this she slipped onto her hock and cut a large area of her hock down to the bone as well as cutting her coronary band on her front hoof. She was rushed to the vets and underwent an operation. She had to have her hock thoroughly washed to try to avoid infection and she had stitches in her front hoof. She then had to have 4 months box rest whilst the wound healed and all the time we didn’t know whether she would ever recover. About 2 months ago I started riding her again and getting her back to fitness. She has now been to 4 shows and she has been placed 3^rd in 2 competitions and 1^st in 2 competitions of which one was a 1.15m Amateur Championship qualifier. I am now aiming at building her up to larger competitions including the 1.20m HOYS qualifier and numerous championships.

Take your children with you to the open planes of Cheshire and enjoy a chance to improve your riding and learn a bit more about stable management. It’s often the case that we hear all about families which have been long considering purchasing a horse of their own but they aren’t quite sure and don’t know where to begin. Here is a chance to try you hand at what it’s like to care for a horse.

This is probably one of our best Childrens Riding Holidays but this is not to say that it is just for the children. More so that it is child friendly.

You arrive into Cheshire and settle into fantastic hand picked accommodation, we do after all know Cheshire very well as it is the home of Equestrian Escapes and we have now been offering Horse Riding Holidays to all who seek them for well over three years.  After settling in you have a number of options, dine out in any of the nearby pubs or restaurants, go for a ride if time permits or simply relax for a few hours.

Throughout this four night package there will be a 10am – 1pm riding/tuition session at the stables. This is split up into three parts. Starting with a lesson, followed by learning about stable management. This is essential knowledge that you should find both interesting and invaluable. These sessions carry on every day during your stay and by the end you will have a clear idea in your head about whether having a horse is for you.

Green pastures and white horses

Another great idea for your whole family would be to take them on a real adventure, the Medieval Castle Tour in Tuscany is dressed to impress. It’s one of the best horse riding experiences I have ever had.

A happy new year to all! I decided given the quaint and silent beauty of the snow, that is to say in my neighborhood of England (the lovely Cheshire), that I would once again brave the elements with my most capable and favourite companion Alfozo. Alfonzo is a shire horse, the extra weight gives him that extra edge in the sometimes icey and devious snow. His mane is a beautiful chesnut brown and all over his muscular body he is riddled with patches of beige.

It wasn’t untill we were a full half hour away from our delightfull country base that I felt the -8°C chill down the back of my neck that the crystal clear image of a steaming hot chocolate warmed my very soul. With a click and gentle tug on the reins Alfonzo began to take his indecisive passanger home, however he did so happily, not attemting to guilt trip his oldest friend. Willington Hall, a beautiful country house hotel deep in the heart of cheshire is far from the hustle and bustle of many a Brits everyday life. Memories of a warm Tuscany, prompted by the big chill… are however quite the contrast to this snowy excursion

A snowy country road (on horseback)

Needless to say I’ll be advising my closest, nearest and dearest to enjoy Riding Holidays Cheshire specificly! This is available as a package from Equestrian Escapes.