Equestrian holidays around the world

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Anna Sewell – beloved author of Black Beauty, probably the ultimate horse-riding story.

With the Grand National also scheduled following a few furlongs after that date, taking place next Saturday (April 4th) many of us will be chomping at the bit for some equine action.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at the top horsey holidays jockeying for position this summer.

South African Sunset

Tracking wildlife on horseback allows people to get even closer to spectacular species without disturbing them. For complete novices to experienced equestrians, the Hanchi Conservation Experience can host any level of rider for two to 12 weeks.

This exciting programme, set in a private game reserve in South Africa immerses volunteers in all aspects of horse care and includes bush rides to track game, full moon rides, and care of the reserve.

Accommodation is in a tent-camp, while prices range from £2,190 per person for two weeks to £4,390 per person for 12 weeks including accommodation, flights (London), transfers and all meals.

Head over to African Conservation Experience.

Colorado Photographic Workshops

A western wrangler photographic workshop takes place high in the Colorado Rockies, giving participants a chance to learn how to use an SLR digital camera and edit images on a laptop - all the while surrounded by cattle and cowboys.

The surrounding countryside is home to elk, bear, wolf and deer providing plenty of scope for breathtaking images. The area will be explored on horse-back to get the best shots, and guests will learn cowboy skills including lassoing and rounding up cattle.

Five nights at the Black Mountain Ranch in Colorado costs £1,800 per person including full-board accommodation, equipment and all course-related activities (not including flights).

Dates are available on July 18th-23rd and 25th-30th, with more information at Eye Photographic Workshops.

Rising in Iceland

Guaranteed to be one hoof of a journey, Discover the World’s seven-night 'Golden Circle' tour incorporates Southern Iceland’s most stunning natural wonders.

Icelandic horses possess two unique gaits, the tolt and the flying pace, which allow them to navigate rough terrain with ease. The trusted steed will carry guests across rolling pastures, through mountain rivers and alongside deep canyons.

Visit Thingvellir National Park, the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and the Great Geysir area, before soothing sore muscles with a soak in an outdoor hot-tub after a long day in the saddle.

Regular departures are on offer from June to August, with prices starting at £1,326 per person; including seven-nights’ accommodation with most meals, return flights (London), transfers and riding equipment.

Trips are suitable for intermediate riders, with four to seven hours a day spent in the saddle.

Umbria with Real Holidays

La Casella, in the heart of the Umbrian countryside, is the perfect getaway for those with itchy hoofs and a tendency for all things equine. Renovated farmhouses provide character filled accommodation with views across the picturesque 200-acre estate.

The riding school offers lessons for beginners plus hacks in surrounding pastures for those more accomplished. There are sunset rides with candlelit forest dinners for romantics and a pony club for little ones aged four to ten. With two pools, a tennis court and a small beauty centre on site there’s plenty to do should holidaymakers become a little saddle sore.

A week’s full-board costs from £686 per person in April, while flights and car hire extra. All the details can be found at Real Holidays.

Year Out in Cambodia

Year Out Group, the not-for-profit organisation with over 38 members, offers a comprehensive range of structured placements including expeditions, volunteering, courses and cultural exchanges.

For equine-lovers, member organisation Outreach International offers a three-month horse-riding and hippotherapy (riding therapy) placement at the Cambodian Riding Centre in Phnom Penh, for experienced riders to teach disadvantaged and disabled street children.

The project is priced from £2,800 per person and includes accommodation, food and in-country support.

For further details on this and a range of other gap year projects, contact Year Out Group.

UK Short-break riding holidays

Two Shoes (sleeps two) is a delightful detached barn conversion where guests can watch the race in comfort. Amid the undulating fields of the Dartmoor moorland, the cottage has comfortable furniture, slate floors, exposed stone walls and a warming wood-burner for a wintry, romantic evening.

For equestrian enthusiasts, there is a riding stables just four miles up the road, and Tavistock, offering good restaurants and a busy Pannier Market, is only a short drive away.

The price of a week’s stay arriving April 4th is £188 per person (£375 total). Head over to Classic Cottages for more information.

Working Pampas Ranch in Argentina

Experience a real life working ranch (estancia) in the pampas region of Argentina, a vast area of land stretching inland from Buenos Aires for hundreds of miles.

Stay at the seven room, family-run Estancia Los Potreros, a 6,000 acre ranch and a veritable paradise for horse lovers, nature lovers and hikers alike. Originally, the principal activity at this estancia was breeding mules for the silver mines in Peru; today the main occupations are breeding Paso Peruano pacing horses and Aberdeen Angus cattle.

An eleven night Argentina itinerary starts from £3,566 per person, including flights (Heathrow), eleven nights’ bed and breakfast, transfers and excursions.

More information is available at Sunvil Travel.

Morocco's Atlas Mountains

At 3,000 feet, astride an Arab steed, the High Atlas Mountains offers a heady experience.

Picking the way through orange, lime and grapefruit trees, a carpet of wild flowers and the beautiful Berber countryside spreads under-hoof, and streams from the snow-capped mountains trickle past. Savour the shade in the forest, and a cool drink, as well as time in one of the many villages visited.

Stay in the homes of local Berber families who’ll humble you with their hospitality. La Roseraie – a remarkable hotel just 90 minutes drive from Marrakech – has a well-established riding centre.

A four-night trip is from £910 per person and includes flights (London), a three-day horse trek with Berber gite accommodation and all meals, the first and last nights staying at La Roseraie with half board, and all transfers.

Head over to The Best of Morocco for more information.

Chris O'Toole