Choosing a
ride can be challenging, especially when there are so many fabulous options to
choose from. If you have narrowed your choices down and are looking for an
adrenaline-filled, fast-paced adventure, then this blog is for you. Here are
our top five bucket list rides that are sure to give you that thrill that you
are looking for.
One of the
most challenging adventure rides in our books and a bucket list trail riding holiday for
many equestrian adventurers! This trail covers over 300 km riding in one of the
world’s oldest deserts. In order to cover such a long distance, the pace is
necessarily fast. It is demanding for horses and riders alike, so make sure to
come fit – very fit! The horses are wonderful athletes and receive the highest
levels of care in order to ensure they can carry riders safely, and soundly,
across the Namib. They do a safari every six weeks only with a long break
between November and March out in the bush. They are checked regularly on
safari and several spare horses run loose with the group, so each horse
can get a break if needed. This is a camping trail, with the opportunity to
sleep under the starry desert skies - don’t expect luxury lodges and a steady
WiFi connection… Overall, this isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you are looking
for a fast trail ride and want to challenge yourself to a real horseback adventure, look
no further!
For those who might prefer to stay in Europe, France is the ideal destination for an active trail ride. Many of our trails in France are relatively fast-paced, especially in those flatter areas, but one that really stands out is our Burgundy black mountain trail. On this ride, you will ride in 50 km stages with an average pace of more than 10km/h, with long and frequent canters over varied terrain. Again, this is a trail ride for competent and more importantly, confident riders. Your hosts, Jean and Amélie, are brilliant endurance riders and breed their own endurance horses – some of them have gone on to successfully compete at the international level.
We’re
staying in Africa for our next sportive ride. And what a ride! This one is for
the water babies amongst you. The Wild Coast Trail in South Africa has often
been called “the most spectacular beach ride in the world”, and it’s easy to
see why. The Wild Coast is known for its rugged and unspoiled natural beauty,
with endless beaches, rolling hills and rocky headlands. These South African beaches
call for exhilarating gallops – the sort that leaves you with shaky legs and a
big grin on your face (and perhaps a little sand between your teeth). The
groups are small and intimate (usually a maximum of 8 guests), giving you the
chance to really enjoy your riding holiday to the fullest. The horses are a
mixture of Arabs, Anglo Arabs, Thoroughbreds, crossbreeds or local African
horses such as Boeperds – in the stable of around 40 horses, there is sure to
be one that will steal your heart.
A trail riding adventure for experienced riders looking for an active pace! You will ride across the beautiful Croatian countryside from an authentic family-owned ranch to the stunning Krka National Park, following the Cetina river and exploring untouched scenery. You will be able to enjoy regular fun canters through open fields and rolling hills, with opportunities to cool off in beautiful rivers and lakes in the summer months. Long days in the saddle, fit, forward horses and great hospitality make this trail ride one of the best riding holidays in Croatia.
Our trail
ride in Cappadocia, Turkey, is known for two things: its stunning scenery, and
its never ending canters! Although the tracks in and out of canyons and around
the magical fairy chimneys of Cappadocia are rather twisty, there are plenty
of open valleys where you can let the horses fly. But be warned – some of the
canters can be quite long: up to 20 minutes at a time, which is no joke! This
is an equestrian adventure for fit, active riders. The horses are lovely forward-going
Anatolians, Arabs and cross-Arabs (mares, for the most part). They are a
pleasure to ride and are quite sensitive and responsive.
You need to
be a competent rider to participate in these rides – capable and in control at
all paces, able to canter in a forward seat. Most of these trail rides also
have a weight limit. If you are unsure, please do contact us and we will be
happy to help you find the best ride to match your requirements and
expectations.
More information
To find out more about our rides, please visit our website.
You can also contact us directly at info@equus-journeys.com or give us a call on +44 (0)1905 388 977
