2009 retrospective

I started 2009 with a trip to the New Forest. I had always meant to try riding here, as it is such a unique place. I felt that many of the riding establishments catered mainly for tourists but had my best ride from Burley Manor http://www.burleymanorridingstables.co.uk/bmhome.html
I had a day ride here and met lots of nice people and had good long canters. However when I visited the area again in January 2010 I think it had changed hands and reports from other people I met were not so positive. Moving into Wiltshire I also was lucky to find Stockbridge Riding School. They specialise in lessons and livery so have a limited hacking program but although the ground was very hard and frosty we managed to hare around the lovely downs for one and a half hours

My “best find “for 2009 was Karecole Stables near East Linford. This was a newly opened premises run by Kerry Abernethy and I was lucky enough to get a two hour ride with just Kerry and myself. We covered some lovely open country – it was rather muddy but we had good fast canters. Kerry is just starting riding breaks for 2010 and is highly recommended. http://www.karecole.co.uk/riding_holiday_package.html

I also re-visited Boltby Trekking Centre near Thirsk and found that they also do two day trail rides at very reasonable rates so that will be one for 2010.
Thirsk http://www.boltbytrekking.co.uk/

Another recently opened centre was Stonetrail near Sedbergh.
They have lovely self-catering accommodation and nice horses and countryside so I will be visiting this again in 2010. http://www.stonetrailholidays.com/horseriding/

New Year 2010

Visited the New Forest again. A friend made last year in the New Forest recommended Arniss Farm, Godshill near Fordingbridge which I had discounted previously as it was much more expensive that everywhere else. I had a good ride and, as in most places, as a newcomer was made to feel welcome.

Rode at Groveley Riding Centre - as soon as I spoke to them on the phone I could tell they were nice and friendly. I went for a New Year Special 2 hour ride with bacon sandwiches after. I rode a delightful dun gelding, Dunlin but sadly we were not able to canter as the ground was very hard and frosty and there were about fifteen of us altogether which seemed a lot of riders. The food was excellent and I was made to feel very welcome. - http://www.grovely.info/

Then a repeat visit to Stockbridge http://www.stockbridgeridingschool.co.uk/Stockbridge_Riding_School/Welcome.html – here, again I was very surprised at a large number going out together but it worked ok and we had some really good long canters

Not a holiday but a polo taster session has to be mentioned here. In June a group of us went to the White Rose Polo near Market Weighton http://www.whiterosepolo.co.uk/
and were given superb hospitality – starting with champagne and strawberries we had lots of fun. We had a tour of the yard. Sessions with a short stick on foot, a full size stick from a wooden horse then we met our mounts and played tag to get a feel of them. Then after a practice we were let loose with a larger, softer ball to play a chukka. We all had a fantastic time.