Equestrian Holidays – Irish Sport Horse Magazine

As the New Year begins, we have to put our disappointments and cancelled trips behind us, and look forward; so let us take some time to plan for a more exciting future; and what better way to escape then on horseback? With each passing day, the promise of global travel has gradually become more of a reality and therefore making travel plans more accessible. As equestrians, you can seize this opportunity to plan for those extraordinary horseback vacations you’ve dreamt of taking. While some say it is too early to start planning for your equine holiday, we say “Day Dreaming and Imagination are Everything, they are the Preview of Life’s Coming Attractions!” (Borrowed from Einstein;-) During these past grueling months, you have been disconnected from your adventurist equestrian yearnings for too long. Here are our top five worldwide destinations for the equestrian holiday of a lifetime to bring your Inner Adventurer back to life. NORTH AMERICA – C Lazy U Ranch (Granby, Colorado) As a kid, I always dreamt of becoming a rancher atop the colorful mountains of beautiful Colorado spending my days galloping through the picturesque terrain and hosting cattle drives. This fantasy brought me to C Lazy U Ranch, the most celebrated historical Dude Ranch that provides an all-year-round experience. Picture from www.clazyu.com Established in 1919, C Lazy U Ranch has served smiles and panoramic views for the entire family to enjoy. The ranch is located at the heart of The Rocky Mountains, with high-class amenities and services to match the already elevated experience. The concept behind this exclusive ranch is an entire week full of horseback riding, luxury cabin living, unlimited smores, and so much more. Once you arrive through the arching gates and make your way down the cascading driveway, you arrive at a modern take on an old-timey wild west village; expect this one is your personal oasis. Throughout the week, your wallet stays at home as you can freely enjoy a horseback ride through the Aspen trees, a gourmet meal prepared by the ranches’ top chefs, or maybe even a relaxing massage at one of the ranches’ scenic yurts. Whatever you chose to do, C Lazy U is sure to meet all your greatest expectations. During the summertime, actives include daily trail rides, fly fishing, scenic hiking, and river rafting to make every family member smile ear to ear. So while the adults hang back and enjoy a hand-crafted beverage at the bar, the kids are making their wildest imagination become a reality, with the proper supervision, of course. If you crave the colder seasons, C Lazy U offers a far-from-dull winter package. With activities such as skiing, tubing, sleigh rides, trap shooting, archery, and mountain biking, you’ll be wanting to extend your trip at the end of the week. C Lazy U Ranch is a place for everyone, where your only concern is picking out a daily activity. Ready to live your best life as a cowboy? www.clazyu.com/ to make Your Wild West Dream a reality. AUSTRALIA – Snowy Mountains Are you looking for the perfect mountain gateway vacation, where horses and views are being served each day? In that case, the Snowy Mountains of Australia are calling your name. This excursion makes for the optimal escape from city life, as you’ll drift away through the exceptional scenery of the Kosciuszko National Park. Picture from www.inthesaddle.com Spend up to six nights riding and exploring the diverse terrain as you befriend your steed, who is well equipped to guide you through the challenging lands. Each outfitter is a skilled mountain man with over 40 years of experience in this rougher terrain, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Picture from www.inthesaddle.com You will spend your days riding along the various mountain lakes, crystal clear streams, intimidating peaks with astounding panoramic views, all from the comfort of horseback. As you embrace the mountain life, be sure to wave to the locals as you’ll meet Australia’s diverse wildlife. Emus, kangaroos, and wombats can be commonly seen during this unique experience. And if you are lucky enough, you will even get the privilege of spotting some brumbies on the trail, the wild horse herds of Australia’s vast wilderness. If you are craving the thrill of riding across the beautiful lands of Australia, then you can discover more on >> www.inthesaddle.com/rides/snowy-mountains/ to feed your inner equestrian. NEW ZEALAND – High Country Horses (Glenorchy, NZ) Camping is fun, but what about camping with horses across one of the most movie-produced areas in New Zealand? High Country Horses offers an unparalleled experience to ride through mountain ranges and sheep pastures where Bilbo Baggins from the Lord of the Rings once began his extraordinary journey. Picture from www.highcountryhorses.nz During my short but sweet life in New Zealand, I experienced the scenic backlands of Glenorchy atop the humble steed, Cruise, as High Country Horses guided the trail ride of a lifetime. We began our Hobbit-like mission by climbing aboard our perfectly matched ponies, who turned out to be movie stars of their own. Natalie, our guide, talked with us about how the barn operated during the lockdown, which seemed like more fun without the constant inflow of tourists. But our minds soon became too distracted to uphold a conversation, as the trail opened up to an endless riverbed with breathtaking views in every direction. Picture by Jordan Bastian To the right, Lake Wakatipu’s crystal-clear waters in the distance and to the left, the interminable snowy-topped mountain ranges of Richardson and Humboldt. We trekked across the river’s surprising frigid and strong waters to return to the charming forests where we ran into a shepherd and her herd. As they passed, we sent our farewells as we heroically galloped away. Picture from www.highcountryhorses.nz We raced through the dense forests, vast sheep pastures, and sloping hills to an optimal vantage point. Here, we could see all from the highest peak to the lowest river inlet. As the sun quickly began to disappear behind the intimidating mountains, a hallowing mist encompassed the lands as our humble steeds lead us home. Every minute of our ride was straight out of a movie, as I rode through picturesque terrain mounted on a dabble-grey beast who took the best care of me. So, if you are looking for a little adventure, away from any form of civilization, High Country Horses is the place for you. Why not make Your Hobbit adventure a reality? Discover more on their Website Here>> www.highcountryhorses.nz/ as you dare to dream of your next big equestrian holiday. EUROPE – Vineyards and Beaches of Bordeaux (France) What can be better than spending a week riding along one of France’s many alluring beaches, accompanied by the rich and diverse flavours of the region’s finest wines? Horses and wine? Can it get any better than that? But when you book this excursion, you’ll have a guaranteed head-turning story to tell at the next family function. Picture from www.equitours.com The Gironde region, a major port located in Bordeaux, is home to some of France’s best vineyards. As you ride through the vineyards, you’ll experience where the rich flavors originated from before exploring some of the world’s best Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Begin your week, gallivanting through the 12th-century medieval village of St. Emilion, popularly known as an architectural legacy. Once you have your “blast-from-the-medieval- past” fill, it’s time to cross the Gironde River via boat to the Medoc Vineyards. Among these vineyards, you’ll be able to tour the ever-famous chateaux of Margaux. Picture from www.equitours.com But what better to follow a few days of sipping wine then galloping through miles of pine forests with experienced guides to ensure you have a memorable French escape. Before you think that this trip cannot get any better, imagine ending your trip by stretching out your horse across the endless sands of French Atlantic beaches, as you chase the sunset. In addition to experiencing the French countryside highlights, guests will spend their nights in various charming and relaxing hotels and chateaus of the vineyards, handpicked by locals. If you are currently staring at a fluorescent screen, fantasying about your next vacation destination, consider the French countryside for the perfect equine getaway. If wine and horses are your go-to vacation essentials, make time to plan your next equestrian adventure at www.equitours.com/horseback-riding/vineyards-and-beaches-of-bordeaux/. AFRICA – Tuli Horse Riding Safari (Botswana) While natural scenery is an all-encompassing appeal of any excellent trail ride, what about riding horseback to experience the wildlife around you instead? More specifically, the diverse and vast African terrain wildlife, where majestic lions and elephants roam freely. Picture from Tuli Horse Riding Safaris Botswana The Tuli Horse Riding Safari, located in Botswana, offers a “true African riding adventure” resembling that of Africa’s original pioneers. The land you’ll ride across is called the “Land of Giants,” where some of the largest herds of elephants wander across untouched lands by mankind. As you ride, you’ll see African wildlife in their natural habitat with creatures such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and over 350 species of birds. The excursion will be stretched out over seven days of riding, camping, and resting in the various tented campgrounds along the trail, getting the full experience of “glamping.” Each day spent on the track, as a guest you will be able to ride to exceptional game viewpoints, experience the vast land mass’s overwhelming beauty, witness the intense colours of sunsets and sunrises, and test your equestrian skills. Picture from Tuli Horse Riding Safaris Botswana Over the week, you and your guides will cover almost 120 miles of land, giving plenty of opportunities to walk, trot and gallop. This is an experience you will truly not want to miss. To Plan Your African Adventure visit https://africanhorsesafaris.com/tour/tuli-horse-riding-safari-botswana/. Whether you are craving a relaxing and mellow equine getaway or a thrilling and skill-challenging trek, these excursions will fuel your inner equestrian. All that is left to do is pick a place and plan your next equestrian holiday that is ensured to make lifelong memories. In consideration of COVID restrictions, please be aware of changing schedules. This article was originally written for the December 2020 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine. If you enjoyed this article by Jordan, check out her 5 Tips for Setting Your Equestrian Goals and Sticking to Them below>> https://www.irishsporthorsemagazine.com/5-tips-for-setting-your-equestrian-goals-and-sticking-to-them/