Ever since my first Globetrotting ride back in 2011, I’ve been hooked. This mode of travel offers far more than anything else I’ve ever experienced. Exploring amazing new destinations on horseback allows me to get up close and personal with the land, live among the locals, and see the world in a unique way not normally accessible to the average traveller. These trips are like a drug, and I’m completely and utterly addicted. Globetrotting has changed my life. That may sound a tad dramatic, but it’s true.
If you had to pick just one, what is your absolute favourite ride to date?
Sorry, this is an impossible question. I used to have a top five, but the list just keeps growing. I find it really hard to choose between so many incredible experiences.
Walk us through the landscape, the atmosphere, and the unique elements that make it stand out among all your Globetrotting journeys.
The more remote and exotic the ride, the more I seem to be drawn to it. I’ve never tried to analyse why, but thinking now, perhaps I like the sense of achievement that comes with completing rides that have a sense of the intrepid about them, or perhaps it’s because I set the bar quite high by choosing Kenya, followed by the Andes and Patagonia in Chile and Argentina as my first GT destinations. Others that stand out are Iceland, Namibia, Morocco, Mongolia, the Scottish Borders, India, Ireland, the Camargue, and Andalucia.
Globetrotting often introduces riders to fascinating characters and encounters. Can you share a story of a particularly memorable interaction with locals or fellow riders that left an indelible mark on your globetrotting memories?
One memory that stands out (among many) as a particularly special moment in time was in Africa on the Maasai Mara. There had been a couple of rainstorms that day, creating a magical atmosphere of grey African sky, dark and broody, over a vast plain of straw-coloured savannah. We had been following a herd of elephant cows and calves from a respectful distance when the cows must have decided we might present some kind of threat. As we watched in wonder, the mums herded their babies into a tight ring. Facing out, the elephant cows used their own bodies to corral the youngsters safely inside a perfect circle. It was completely awe-inspiring to see these majestic animals collaborate to protect their precious babies right before my eyes.
Think back to a ride that threw unexpected challenges your way. How did you and your horse navigate through those moments, and what valuable lessons did you learn from overcoming obstacles on the trail?
I believe the most physically challenging experience was the Namib Desert Safari, which I completed earlier this year, coinciding with my 60th birthday. My horse, Napoleon, standing at around 14.3hh, was small but mighty—a little pocket rocket who covered ground at speed regardless of our pace. With my own horses at home and, of course, having completed so many GT rides, I’m fairly ride fit. However, when you’re covering between 30 and 50 kilometres a day, the riding is fast, furious, and fabulous. I loved every minute of it, but my quads certainly felt the strain. Across all GT rides, one lesson I’ve learned is to let the horses do their job with minimal interference. In situations where the terrain or obstacles pose mental challenges, trust your horse; he or she knows how to safely carry you through.
Looking ahead, what’s the next ride on the horizon for you? Could you provide a sneak peek into your upcoming adventure plans and the anticipation that comes with it?
After completing no less than three huge Globetrotting adventures this year, I’m taking some time to mull over the next destination. I am liking the look of the new Kosciuszko Ride, so that one might be on the cards when I find myself getting itchy feet for my next Globetrotting fix.
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