Equine Adventures Blog

Customer Comment: SHOWJUMPING & TRAIL RIDING, Portugal

2008-09-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

"I have to express my deepest gratitude for absolutely the best vacation I have ever had.
The riding experience was delightfully better than I could have ever imagined. I have ridden all my life, and was not expecting such exceptional quality. The horses are wonderful; with several that I would like to take home. The trainers are truly skilled with a strong knowledge base and a gift for teaching.

The facilities are impeccable with every attention to detail.

Aside from the equestrian aspects, the lodging, food, and hospitality were absolutely five stars. Everything was meticulously clean. The food was amazing, consistently. A lovely farm in an exquisite setting where my every need and wish was catered to with intent. Antonio, you are exceptionally gracious, as is each and every person there.

I have to impart a special note about the trainers who are integral to the excellence of my vacation. My experience with all of them was superb. Joao is truly remarkable, and somehow taught me more about jumping in one week than I have learned in years of riding with other trainers."

Ms Stout. Washington, USA. September 2008

Click here for Horse riding holiday: Show jumping & Trail Riding in Portugal

Customer Comment: Mr Gibson, South Africa, September 2008

2008-09-07T01:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Clementine & Estelle,

I meant to write earlier, but I don't seem to have had a spare moment since returning from SA.

We had a fantastic holiday - and I'd like thank you (Estelle particularly) for recommending Triple B. The duration and pace of the rides was exactly right for us. The setting is superb - it's been difficult going back to work in crowded Victoria Street. The guides were knowledgeable about the local wildlife as well as being able to spot the game. Part of being on horseback was the chance to look down and look at animal tracks and droppings. The mix of nature lesson, conversation and canters along sandy tracks was just right. We played polocrosse (twice), herded cattle, and there was even a stop at the local primary school when the children came out to sing to us.

Beyond the riding - the whole Triple B experience was very good. The meals around a single table were an unexpected opportunity for conversation with an interesting mix of guests. I was delighted by how well my son Alex (15) joined in. My daughter Celina (10) didn't find the dinner conversation so interesting, but she was tired enough to curl up with the Ace the ranch cat on the sofa in front of the log fire. Shane and Laura were also kind enough to introduce Celina to their daughter Jess and invite her on a family ride with other children. There was a memorable evening looking at the stars (a once in 10 years chance to see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn together), an afternoon trip to Entabeni Game Reserve for a game drive (lions, elephants, rhino and others but sadly no leopard), and a shopping trip in Vaalwater.

The personal involvement of Shane and Laura in the ranch was evident throughout the week. They even came in on Sunday afternoon especially to say goodbye!

The transfers to and from the airport contributed to a stress-free week. Both drivers were very good. If I have one grumble it was the use of a saloon rather than an estate car when it was predictable that we would have 3 large suitcases.

Even BA contributed to an enjoyable trip. The flight out wasn't full and we benefitted from empty seats between us. The return flight was full, but we were upgraded!

I'll definitely think about going back - maybe with a few days in Durban or Cape Town. I also still fancy tackling an expedition or a trail ride although I now know that 4 hours in a single stint is my limit without better preparation. I've been looking in your brochure and I've not been to New Zealand or most of South America!

Mr Gibson - September 2008

Click here for Horse riding holidays in South Africa

Customer Comment: CLASSICAL DRESSAGE & TRIAL RIDING, Portugal

2008-08-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

"One of the most wonderful things is how much my riding has improved, although I now ride alone it is with the instructors voices in my head (more often than not shouting shoulders back!) I feel inspired to be a better rider, and it’s great to come back to your own horse and be able to put into action everything you have learnt. I hope that soon I will be able to jump so I can practise everything I have learnt from Joao too - until then I will just gaze wistfully at the photos and remember to keep my hands forwards."

Ms Law. Nottingham, UK. August 2008.

Click here for Horse riding holiday: CLASSICAL DRESSAGE & TRIAL RIDING, Portugal

Staff Report - Across Wales - May 2008

2008-05-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

Most of us have dreamed of doing an epic ride and imagined ourselves following in the footsteps of people like Amie Tchiffeney ... and for those of us with our own horses; they are normally included in the dream. Last month, Abee (my mare) and I rode with two friends across Wales - from the English borders to the Irish Sea. Whilst it wasn't in the 10000 miles league, the 90 odd miles filled a week's vacation to perfection.

The ride started at Brandy House Farm, which is close to Knighton on the English border. Medina, who owns and runs the Brandy House with her husband Richard, was to be one of my companions on the ride along with a friend of ours called Karen.

Click here for the full report.

Staff Report - Brandy House, April 08, Fran Griffith

2008-04-15T00:19:00.000-07:00

Well our escorted Brandy House weekend has been and gone. It really was a great success due to the hard work and hospitality of Medina and Richard Brock, our unbelievable luck with the weather and a bunch of great clients!

I had arrived at Brandy House 4 days earlier than the rest of the group, so I could do a final recce of all the rides with Medina to ensure that we didn't encounter any unforeseen glitches such as locked gates or fallen trees...

Click here for the full report

Staff Report: Fran Griffith in Argentina

2008-03-27T00:26:00.000-07:00

I was on a two-week trip to Argentina, trying out the various holidays featured in Equine Adventures 2008 brochure (it's a tough job but someone's got to do it) and was at the end of week two on a pack-trip into the Lanin National Park arranged by Estancia Huechahue. My companions on the pack trip were 3 amazing English ladies, all experienced riders. Debs the youngest of the group, was 62, her sister, Hope, was 72 and their friend, Althea, 77! I had experienced a few concerns about the prospect of sleeping on the ground using only my saddle, before I'd reached Huechahue but these were quickly stifled once I met my companions. I was 22 years younger than Althea and if she could do it - well then so could I! Indeed my concerns had proved groundless, the tents provided had stood up well to heavy rain and extreme wind on the first night and the bed made up of saddle blanket, leather and felt saddle underlay, sheepskin and 4-seasons sleeping bag was both warm and surprisingly comfortable...

Click here for the full trip report

Customer Comments - South Africa - Whalley Range

2008-02-25T00:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Lucy and Steven,

Hey ho from Whalley Range!!

It was SO lovely to receive your email on our very reluctant return to England!! It was a thoughtful and kind gesture, so typical of you both. You took such great care of us all while we were adventuring with you and your combined energy, enthusiasm and sense of fun was totally infectious... (no pills for that!!!) ...mind you, shepherding such a loquacious and loony bunch as us 8 'SAGAs' doubtless had you drawing on hitherto untapped resources!!
I am so relieved that all the horses survived safe and sound from their trip. They carried us, without exception, with generosity and courage, and engendered in us a mutual confidence and trust, whatever the challenge presented. They are a credit to your fine care and horsemanship. Of course, it goes without saying that I hold a special affection for my little horse, Khosa! I forget who said this, but it encapsulates my thoughts and memories of Songimvelo perfectly: '...in riding a horse, we borrow freedom'. Such was this safari for me.

As predicted, it was a far harder task to adjust to more mundane matters back home - like daily routines and jobs etc., and I think we are all dreaming of a future in Kruger Park!!!!
We have already got a theme tune for our next ride, (with suitable ??? lyrics!!) which we composed, to the bewilderment of our mini-bus driver, as we headed for Jo'burg airport...and I am perfecting the accompaniment!! ..death by harmonica????

Thank you again for ALL that you both did to make our adventures happy, safe, endlessly surprising. It was a TRULY AMAZING and unforgettable experience.
I leave you with this beautiful Arab proverb, oft quoted by my mother when we were small:
'The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears'.

Love to you both, Charlotte

Click here for details of the Songimvelo Wilderness Safari.

Staff Report: Estelle Somers (Equine Adventures consultant) in Turkey

2008-02-18T00:58:00.000-08:00

Estelle visited Turkey last year and tried our Cappadocia Bivouac Trail.
Cappadocia is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the centre of Turkey. The landscape is made of soft volcanic rock that has eroded away leaving valleys, plateaus and steppes which are scattered with all sorts of weird and wonderful rock formations known as Fairy Chimneys. Fairy Chimneys are basically strangely shaped rock formations, which can be pillar shaped, pointed, mushroom like, cone like and even capped by other rocks balancing precariously on top. Within the valleys, cliffs and rock formations the local people have carved their homes and churches into the rock for centuries, virtually everywhere you go there is some sort of deserted rock dwelling that can be explored. For every deserted dwelling there are also just as many occupied ones, whole villages are built into cliffs and fairy chimneys. A fascinating area to see...

Click here for Full Report and images - Cappadocia Horse Riding in Turkey

Staff Report: Botswana's Okavango Delta by Fran Griffiths

2008-02-18T00:53:00.000-08:00

Fran Griffith talks about riding in the Okavango Delta and says that this is a 'must do before you die' ride!

I have ridden my entire life and spent over 30 years of that involved in the African safari industry but for me our ride in the Okavango Delta is an all time highlight. I have been fortunate enough to do our Kujwana ride twice. This highly personalised safari is run by owners PJ and Barney Bestelink and is probably one of the best riding safaris in Africa.

To ride anywhere in Africa is a magical experience but the ride in the Okavango Delta is the ultimate of all magical experiences. On horseback you can get closer to game than you ever dreamed possible... when you are on horseback the animals don't perceive you as a threat- you are truly part of the bush. Just imagine yourself mounted on a great horse sitting high above the long grass and reeds watching great herds of zebra, wildebeest and lechwe as they move across golden floodplains. Now imagine yourself slowly cantering through the shallow floodplains, the spray on your face refreshing in the heat of the day! Now imagine the breathtaking excitement of riding silently along game trails used only by the animals and coming face to face with a family group of elephant!

Click here for the full report - Horse Riding in the Okavango Delta

Staff Report: Safari Horse Training - African Horse Safaris - written by Steven Rufus (who operates our Songimvelo Wilderness Safari)

2008-02-14T01:07:00.000-08:00

For us to use horses in the African bush we need to have a good understanding of animal behavior. Natural Horsemanship. is the modern day catch phrase that has horse owners spending thousands of Euro's on special 'gimics' in order to make them work better / harder / faster. As a staunch proponent of this I have spent my whole life watching and studying horse's behavior to better understand how we can work together. I am able to say the word 'gimic' knowing that my father and his father before him worked in this manner long before any special training aids were bought to the market place. Please don't misunderstand, I am in huge favour of all 'natural' learning techniques, it just needs to be kept in mind that training naturally means your own body, voice and knowledge rather than shop bought aids. Also remember all these aids are great if you have only one horse to work, but not so practical when you have a yard of 30 to work. Always remember "horses work as they aim to please."

Click here for the full article - African Safari Horses

Staff Report: "Horses for Courses" - African Horse Safaris - written by Steven Rufus who operates our Songimvelo Wilderness Safari.

2008-02-13T01:03:00.000-08:00

A flash of brown, hounds giving voice, the scarlet's are on the move and away we go! Through the Irish countryside in pursuit of the Meath fox hounds. What a rush, only comparable to sitting on a well trained safari horse in front of one of Africa's designated Big Five - Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant, Lion and Leopard.

Click here for the full report - Songimvelo Wilderness Safari

Staff Report: The Holiday of a Lifetime - African Horse Safaris (written by Steven Rufus)

2008-02-05T01:10:00.000-08:00

My name is Steven Rufus and with my wife Lucy we own and operate South Africa Horseback Safaris based on the borders of Swaziland in SA, a company designed for clients to take their holiday on horseback moving with the Big Game in their own terrain. As an operator and guide I will try to prepare you for the holiday of a life time answering some of your questions and giving you an insight in to what you can expect.

The day before the start of safari is here, I sit on a log outside my house in the bush with a trusted friend (an ice cold beer!) watch the sun go down, and listen to the sounds of Africa. I start to ponder the arrival of my guest's who at this minute are sitting in airports all over the world anxious to arrive in Africa and start their holiday and what you expect to see and feel on arrival that automatically makes you realize you have chosen the right holiday.

Click here for the full report: African Horse Safaris

Staff Report: The Valleys de Gredos - Fran Griffith (Head of Equine Adventures)

2007-11-01T00:48:00.000-07:00

Fran Griffith did our Mountains & Valleys of the Gredos last October. The ride was not perhaps quite what she expected but surpassed expectations in many ways....

Situated between the provinces of Avila, Caceres and Salamanca, the Sierra de Gredos is one of the wildest and least populated areas of Spain. It is a land of light and colour, of magnificent views and tiny villages, of ancient cattle tracks and Roman roads, of crystal clear rivers and shady forests.

The drive from Madrid Airport to Navarredonda de Gredos is about 2 hours. Guests normally arrive in Madrid mid-afternoon so they have time to explore the forests that surround the Parador de Gredos before dinner. Because I flew from Cardiff, I missed the normal transfer and had a private transfer by taxi to the hotel. The hotel was far better than I had expected... one of the first hotels of the Parador chain, this three star hotel is surrounded by pine groves, crystalline waters, rocks and diverse vegetation. El Alto del Risquillo, where the hotel is located, is one of the most popular viewpoints in the area so you have magnificent views of the Gredos massif, the Piedrahita and Bejar mountain ranges and the Tormes valley...

Click here for Fran's Full Report - Horse Riding in Spain