Equestrian Vacations

I fell in love on a horse riding holiday… I went alone, needing to get away from my work, and just to give myself a break. I decided on Italy, the country of love! Beautiful valleys sweeping away into the distance, the sound of running water from my Juliet-style balcony, the warmth of the sun on my face, and a waiter at my door with a large bottle of Dom Perignon (courtesy of the man in room 42).

A beautiful Italian afternoon

I am not normally in the habit of accepting champagne from random men, but what the hell, I was on holiday, alone, and I wanted to let my hair down. The telephone on the side table started ringing and stopped as I gingerly picked up the receiver. “Hello?” Something swept over me as I heard this deep and husky voice from the other end of the line and butterflies flitted in my stomach. My breath quickened. I put down the phone slowly, all the while smiling to myself. The man from room 42… Hector, we arranged to meet just before sundown to ride out to the large lake at the bottom of the valley. He assured me the view would be breathtaking, and he would organise a picnic supper together by the lake. It all sounded very romantic! I decided that such an occasion meant a hair wash and tore into the bathroom to explore the soaps and other perfumed goods that you find in swanky hotel bathrooms.

Slightly tiddled from the champagne that I had managed to consume single handed, and nervous about my appearance as I made my way down to the stables. A little early, there was no one about apart from the grooms and I helped to tack up the dark mare that I was to ride. Over my shoulder came a dark shadow and I spun around to find myself gazing into deep hazel eyes, with gentle crow’s feet framing his lashes. I was shocked, stunned, and knew I should have shaved my legs! A basket picnic hamper, as promised, was saddled up with us, as well as deep red tartan rugs and some oats for the horses.

Hector was right, the scenery was spectacular and even to this day I remember every minute detail as we trotted down to the vast grey lake. The sun was setting, but the air was light with a slight breeze that played with my fringe. He commented on it, and carefully swept my hair back and behind my ears. I thanked him, but still he lingered close to me. At that moment, both of us astride gleaming dark mares, we shared a moment that will stay with me forever. And for our twentieth wedding anniversary next year, we are going back to Italy, back to the country of love, back to the many sweeping forests, back to the vast grey lake, back to the gleaming horses, and back to where I fell in love with my Hector.

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.

After much thought, designing and careful preperation Equestrian Escapes launched it’s new website on March the 31st 2010. Although there was nothing wrong with the old website, we had decided along with the views of our staff and PR team that it was very much so the time for change, and a little bit more spice. So the rustic old lime green Equestrian Escapes faded quietly into the night and a far more respectful, diligent Equestrian Escapes was born. Our new layout is founded on the corner stone of a lovely chestnut brown which has gently carried our horse theme, from page to page of the intricate network of web resources. We have more itineraries than ever before with a list of new holidays waiting patiently for their triumphant addition to our internet catalouge.

So what does this shiny new advertisement mean for the heart of Equestrian Escapes and the people working hard on a daily basis to keep it all running as smoothly as a busy tour operator can? More work. To place it into two simple words. With the easier to navigate web pages and clearer design our customers are finding exactly what they want much faster. No faffing around clicking on broken links or being led to irrelivant pages, just simple to the point information… with a horsey twist. We are afterall in this business for the horses! Sarah Caplan has been a horse lover all of her life and without a doubt wouldn’t be running the elaborate show behind the scenes here in the office headquarters of Equestrian Escapes if it had not been for her four legged pals. For further internet info

So without further adieu please click on the following link and be taken directly to the homepage of Equestrian Escapes. Horse Riding Holidays

Bacelona is the capitol of Catalonia, Spain

On day one of this four night riding holiday package, you will arrive into Spain via Girona Airport, for your Barcelona Riding Holiday. Having already made your choice of accommodation between a beautiful rural country home, or a stunning four star Bed & Breakfast Spa Hotel, you will arrive at your new headquarters for the ensuing days of riding. If time permits, you could start your riding today! If however it is too late, fear not… riding will start in the morning.

On day two you will see the equestrian centre for the first time. We reccommend that you take an assessment lesson to assure the right horse is chosen for you. After your assessment you can choose from a range of riding activities from riding lessons, jumping lessons, all the way to your own hand picked itinerary of pathways and tracks through the counrtyside of Barcelona. You can enjoy a full days ride and picnic or a hack in the morning and lesson in the afternoon. It is your riding holiday, and should fit your wishes accordingly.

Today, day three, is a great chance to mix it up a little and do something you didn’t cover on day one. For example, take advantage of the breath taking scenery composed of Barcelona’s own countryside and go for a picnic in a scenic spot. Your transport to and from the equestrian centre each day depends on wether you decided to rent a car for your holiday or not. If not, then lifts can be arranged for you but this must be made clear earlier on in the planning stages of the holiday to save your inconveniance. Also, please mention if you would like a transfer from the airport to your accommodation and back again at the end of the holiday.

Day four. More riding catered to your desires, give us a ring and we can plan the perfect holiday for you! If you don’t fancy some more fabulous riding in the local area then pay a visit to the town of Besalu. It is the proud owner of a 12th century Roman bridge, a local landmark. And the restaurants in this region are a gastronomic delight of Spanish, and local dishes.

Day five is the day of departure. And by this time you will have grown very fond of Barcelona. If there is time before your flight this morning, you can go out for one last ride.

Our riding holidays are for you and aim to be the best riding holidays that you could hope to enjoy. If this sounds good to you but you would like more nights in Barcelona, or to fly over to Andalucia, Spain’s most Southern Region, and spend a few days there. Or just add something you wanted to do. It is your holiday and we are here to help! Contact us on our website Equestrian Escapes Riding Holidays.

The following three testimonials were all recieved within shorst distance of each other and prompted me to write a quick article featuring their words of praise.

Horse Riding Weekend, Cheshire

“The accommodation was excellent. The whole place was spotless, the riding was also excellent. We both enjoyed all of the riding experience. We didn’t want to come home and we have reccomended it to our friends.

Thankyou, Joan“

Epona Trail and Train Riding Holiday Spain

 “The service was excellent as all questions were answered promptly and in detail. The rooms were also excellent and were comfortable, homely, very clean. Excellent lessons gave me lots of help with riding skills and the horses provided for lessons and trail rides were fantastic. Overall Experience – I loved my week riding in Spain it was a great combination of lessons and trail rides and also got to experience a little of the culture through flamenco show and a visit to the Jerez royal riding school. Local cuisine was provided for meals and the hosts were lovely. Horses were gorgeous and lovely to ride. Would love to go back again. I will definitely reccomend this to my friends. Epona was an amazing experience my 2 horses were beautiful and taught me a lot, Fernando made sure everyone was happy and kept us all amused with his jokes. The chance to learn through lessons and trail ride was a great combination. I would definitely go back. Thanks for a great week.

P.Meyers“

A happy customer taking instruction from a trainer

Tarporley Cheshire

“The room and service were excellent and the beds, very comfortable. We were impressed with the quality of the private lessons, the hacks were good fun and useful for putting the techniques that we learned into practise. We really enjoyed our experience, can think of nothing that would have improved it. Brilliant weekend. By far the best horse-riding experience I’ve had, the teachers were patient and knowledgeable and I felt I learned a lot. The hacks were great fun and were a good opportunity to put the techniques we learned into practise, as well as a brilliant way to see the countryside.

Thankyou“

More reasons to enjoy a riding holiday in Cheshire.

Equestrian Escapes has an expansive archive of information on all of our packages and holidays, please go to our site and find the perfect Horse Riding Holiday for you!

Inside the cottage

Some people might look at the words self catering and think, Cook for myself? I however, take pride in my culinary skills and jump at the chance to prove my ability in the kitchen. That and the fact that I can eat whatever I desire. No holds barred, self indulgence. This was one of the key factors in which holiday I was to choose because I knew what I wanted. Often I holiday in southern spain and sometimes I venture futher, Florida, Peru. But this time I decided the key to pure unfiltered relaxation is stick to what you know best. That and of course the oh so necessary change of scene which I had been internally craving for quite some time.

So, the decision was made. One week in the cheshire countryside, for Relaxation, Reading, a couple of good movies and lets not forget what’s best! During my seven nights stay, five hacks out in the nearby countryside. And five riding lessons to improve my already admirable (if I must say so, and I must) cunning competance in the equine department.

The outside of the cottage is a subtle hint of the inner beauty

The day I arrived in Cheshire I alighted from the train in Crewe Station and took a taxi to the delightful village of Tarvin. Upon arriving I dropped my bags off at the cottage I was so dying to inspect and went for a quick pub dinner accompanied my a smooth pint of the local larger, Cheshire Cat. After what wasn’t a hard day of travelling and eating I returned to my new housing and settled right in. The cotage is, to say the very least, a beautiful little corner of the world. I popped my shoes off and made myself extremely comfy whilst browsing the video library. Embarrasing as it is I must admit that I haven’t yet got the hang of those new DVD players.

After a good sleep I nipped out to the shops and collected a haul of foods to last me the duration of my stay. The shopping list included, one cake (a slice of self indulgence), bananas, apples, some bran flakes and a few baskets of everything that appeared in my minds eye as I browsed. I stocked up on energy in the form of a hearty full English breakfast and proceeded the short distance to the stables for my first lesson. They were very kind at the stables and really made me feel at ease. I was introduced to my steed, a fine creature of a particularly muscular disposition. And after a speedy briefing, off I went! I can tell you this, I have never ridden in Cheshire before. But I most certainly will ride there again. What more could a man want than a beautiful place to ride a steed, with the wind on his face and a canter of pace! I will confess to indulging my poetic side in the form of many a scribble whilst, as my grandchildren say these days “kicking back”. I’m not quite sure what the kicking is a reference to exactly, probably some rap pop song of sorts. But I can assure you that this holiday kicks lots of back! (Fear not, the horses don’t kick)