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Penny Richards has just returned home with her very own brumby after completing our debut Desert Brumby Safari (sadly no longer available). She took the time to tell us all about this incredible experience, what led her there and what she and her Brumby have been getting up to since. What is your earliest memory…

In August this year, Sally Boardman traversed the steppes, valleys and mountains of Mongolia from the back of a tough little Mongol horse. If you want to learn more about this ride and the incredible kinds of people who are drawn to it, read on! What is your day job? I am an agricultural scientist.…

If you’re heading to Wales for a horse riding holiday, there’s a fair chance you’ll find yourself in Cardiff either before or after your ride. And if not, it’s well worth a detour to experience this thriving coastal city, the capital of Wales since 1955. With plenty on offer for people of all tastes and…

Kat Spencer has been a horse lover her whole life, and she recently embarked on her very first horse riding holiday. Not one to do things by halves, Kat signed up for our exploratory ride in Iceland, an epic adventure that saw her ride with a herd of horses across Iceland’s dramatic and changeable wilderness.…

If you’re heading to the Emerald Isle for our Castle and Estate Ride, you may be lucky enough to meet — and ride — the delightful Blueberry. A much-loved and beautifully mannered member of the estate’s stable, Blueberry is known for her calm temperament, willing nature, and ability to make riders feel instantly at home…

Elegant, expressive, and steeped in history, the Andalusian horse, also known as the Pure Spanish Horse or PRE (Pura Raza Española), is one of Spain’s most iconic breeds. Renowned for its intelligence, smooth movement, and willing temperament, the Andalusian is perfectly suited to long days in the saddle. On our Spanish horse riding holidays, guests…

Name of breed: Hackney Country of origin: England Breed origin: Although the Hackney originated in Norfolk, England, the name comes from a French word, ‘haquenee’, which was used to describe a riding horse with an exceptionally comfortable trot or amble. From its development in the 14th century, this type of horse became very popular as…

Name of breed: Standardbred, or American Standardbred. Country of origin: United States of America. Breed origin: The world’s fastest harness racing horse, the Standardbred was developed in America in the late 18th and early 19th centuries after a Thoroughbred stallion called Messenger was imported from England. Messenger was a ‘flat racer’, not a trotter, but…

  Name of breed: Orlov Trotter, or Orloff Trotter. Country of origin: Russia Breed origin: The Orlov Trotter is Russia’s oldest and most famous ‘stud’ breed, renowned for its speed, stamina and fast-paced trot. The breed was developed in the late 18th century by Count Alexei Orlov, hence the name. Count Orlov set out to develop a…

Name of breed: Gotland or Russ; sometimes Gotland Russ. Country of origin: Sweden. Breed origin: The Gotland pony, also known as the Russ, is the most common breed of pony in Sweden. The breed’s origins are subject to much speculation: there is evidence of horses living on the island of Gotland, on the south-eastern coast…

Name of breed: Percheron Country of origin: France Breed origin: The Percheron is a breed of draught horse that originated in northern France, in the province of Le Perche, from which the breed takes its name. While the more ancient origins of the breed are subject to many differences of opinion, it is known that…

Name of breed: Morgan Country of origin: United States of America. Breed origin: All Morgan horses trace back to a single foundation sire, a stallion named Figure, who was born in Massachusetts in 1789. As a three year old, Figure was given to a man named Justin Morgan as payment for a debt. A dark…