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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…

Name of breed: Friesian Country of origin: The Netherlands Breed origin: The Friesian horse originated in the province of Friesland, a northern province of the Netherlands. Despite having the confirmation of a light draught horse, Friesians are graceful and athletic, with a natural elegance that gives them great presence whether under saddle or in harness.…

Name of breed: Paso Fino Country of origin: Puerto Rico, Colombia and other Latin American countries. Breed origin: The ancestors of the Paso Fino travelled from Spain in 1493 on Christopher Columbus’ second voyage to the New World. Columbus brought a mixture of Barbs, Spanish Jennets and Andalusians and established new populations at Santa Domingo…

Name of breed: New Forest Pony Country of origin: England Breed origin: The ancestors of the New Forest pony roamed the woods and heath of the New Forest before the last Ice Age! The forest itself has been protected since William the Conqueror reserved it as his ‘new hunting forest’ in 1079, and the development…