‘I was a little nervous about going on a horse riding holiday as I’d only ridden in a riding school over recent years. I was filled with worries about my slightly novice canter holding me or the group back, or whether the horses would be gentle and responsive! Well, I shouldn’t have worried. I absolutely loved it! I could do a lot more than I realised; my confidence has improved dramatically, and it was so much fun. I rode a gorgeous boy (Henry) through stunning countryside with a bunch of other friendly riders, relaxed over 5-course evening meals, and had a lot of laughs. I’ll be booking a return trip!’

‘I loved this riding trip so much. I never jumped before in my life, and here I had the chance to learn the basics and try them out in nature. I felt a lot of support and encouragement from the trainers, and I could absolutely rely on and trust all the horses. The trainers were very experienced and dedicated to everyone, caring for everyone’s personal improvement. I was scared to jump at the beginning, but with their help and preparation, I found the courage, and now I am addicted! I loved the fact that we stayed right above the stables and could peek out to see the heads of a few horses at all times. The estate is huge and charming, with lots of trails and around 300 or so country jumps, so we had a wide choice of what we would jump every day. I just could not get enough at the end of the trip and would stay another week. Once you try it, you cannot stop jumping.’

‘This is a perfect ride for someone looking to level up their jumping- I don’t think the instruction quality exceeded my expectations – I truly learned SO MUCH from all of the trainers I worked with, and my trainer at home commented that I am a totally different rider after this trip. Amazing horses and wonderful hospitality.’

‘I quite enjoyed my time at Castle Leslie! The staff were lovely, the food was delicious, the scenery was beautiful, and the horses were absolutely amazing. The horses were healthy, sound, fit, and knew their jobs well. My favourite horse was Arnie – he was a very smooth ride and an absolute gentleman. My trail guides were very kind, encouraging and adaptable throughout the week. This is a wonderful vacation package to book with Globetrotting; I definitely recommend it!’

‘What a beautiful facility! When younger, I rode a lot but hadn’t been able to ride as much in the last couple of decades. This ride was the perfect way for me to boost my skills and confidence, enjoy riding well-trained horses, and receive instruction in a fabulous setting! From the front desk to the restaurant staff to the stable personnel, everyone was extremely kind and helpful. The view from the room and garden was lovely, as were the grounds. Already, I am planning a return trip!’

‘I hesitated for 2 or 3 years before booking this ride, thinking it looked too good to be true. Turns out, it’s that good and better! Some of the people I was riding with were back there for the third or fourth time, and I can see why. The rooms at the Lodge are spacious and gorgeous; the food is amazing, and the estate is full of beautiful walks. Then there’s the riding—day after day of racing around on big, beautiful Irish hunters. You get to canter through the woods, gallop over the fields, splash through the water, and leap over logs and ditches. The horses know their jobs extremely well and were some of the best I’ve ever ridden. I had my first proper experience of cross-country on Blueberry, and despite being someone whose jumping experience consisted mostly of trying to coax silly thoroughbreds over 30cm cross-rails, she was taking me safely over the biggest jumps on the estate on the first day. If you’re wondering whether to go for it, do!’

‘I truly can’t say enough good things about my time at Castle Leslie. The instructors are wonderful, the horses are phenomenal, and the accommodations are to die for. The instructors really read you as a rider and work to grow your skills in the time that you’re there. They each have different styles, and I love that you get to work with all of them. I loved experiencing a variety of horses; they each teach you something in their own way. My time at Castle Leslie was perfect; I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday and plan to go back as soon as I can!’

‘This was my first Globetrotters experience, and it definitely won’t be my last! I enjoyed the Castle Leslie ride so much that it may be impossible to top. Everything from the amazing horses, instructors, staff, castle, charming town of Glaslough, endless acres of the estate, accommodations, dining, spa, and fellow Globetrotters… completely exceeded my expectations, and I was sad to leave. One of the best weeks of my life!’

‘After finishing the amazing Castle and Estate Ride in Ireland, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming! Pairing the most luxurious accommodation with delicious, plentiful meals, gorgeous and expansive grounds, and a whole range of horse riding experiences—from flat work to indoor jumping, to hacking, to cross country—I couldn’t fault my stay. With an endless supply of willing and well-trained horses and knowledgeable instructors, I went from not having done a cross-country jump in years and feeling very nervous about the whole thing to feeling confident and enjoying trying far more jumps than I had ever hoped for on the trip. Would strongly recommend to anyone who wants to get back to or improve their confidence with jumping, or anyone who just wants a luxurious and relaxing horsey escape!’