Travel: Preparing for a riding holiday

TRAVEL

Preparing for a riding holiday

If you’re thinking of a riding holiday, MATHILDE GREGOIRE has some excellent advice to help you prepare for the experience.

Going on a riding holiday is a great way to break from your day-to-day at the barn and embark on a new and exciting adventure. You may have dreamt of visiting a new country or region on horseback, but are hesitant to travel solo – and yes, that can seem a little daunting! Or, perhaps you are eager to take that step, but are concerned about logistics, travel, visa requirements, and, if you’re a lone female traveller, about safety.

Nonetheless, going on a riding holiday can be a liberating experience and a fantastic opportunity for personal growth. If you are joining a group you will have the chance to meet other riders, and sharing new experiences in a different environment can build bonds and friendships that can last a lifetime. To prepare for your riding holiday, think of it as a project: What do you want to achieve? What’s your budget? What clothing or equipment will you need? And make sure to research your destination and learn as much as you can about its culture, customs, and climate before you get on that flight!

How will you book? Choosing between a tour operator or booking directly with a stables is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make. You might prefer to plan the trip yourself and reach out to one or several stables to create a predetermined itinerary of your choice, or alternatively go through a tour operator to join a group for an organised ride. For many, booking through a tour operator brings the reassurance of having a point of contact who can offer recommendations based on your wishes and priorities. That the stables may have been visited by travel advisors who care about the wellbeing of horses is an added advantage.

The cost of your riding holiday is generally the same whether you book directly with the stables or go through a tour operator. Tour operators also provide a degree of financial protection,

which guarantees payment security in the unlikely event of an operator becoming insolvent. On the other hand, booking directly with the riding center can help support a small business, with a larger portion of the fee available for the care of their horses and improvement of their facilities, while also offering you more flexibility in organising activities during your trip.

Whatever you decide, the good news is that there are riding holidays to suit every level, discipline, and destination. From the aspiring show jumper to the dressage enthusiast who recently picked up riding, or for those looking for an adventure in a remote area, there are usually a wide variety of destinations to choose from. So, here are some tips that will serve you well no matter what your destination:

BYO: I recommend taking your own helmet, breeches, and boots. While most riding centers provide basic safety equipment, it is always more comfortable and convenient to have your own. If you are planning on going on a trek, make sure you take enough warm clothing, as well as sunscreen and mosquito repellent depending on your destination and the season you intend on travelling.

Get fit, get ready: If you have booked a holiday which includes a few hours in the saddle each day, it can be quite physically demanding. To get in shape ahead of your trip, you may want to do targeted exercises to help you strengthen certain muscle groups. Some apps and online courses offer equestrian fitness programs which will help you achieve your goals.

Single supplement: Keep in mind that if you travel alone, some accommodation providers may require a single supplement (a surcharge for a solo guest who uses a room that caters for two). If you’re on a tour, you may be offered the option to share a room with another traveller but that’s not always guaranteed, so make sure to ask to be paired with someone else if you are more budget constrained.

Purchase travel insurance: Whether you are booking via a tour operator or directly with the stables, including travel insurance in your booking is highly recommended. Ensuring that your holiday insurance covers the specific riding activities and disciplines you are participating in is important, and it should also cover medical expenses abroad and repatriation if needed. Opting for COVID cover in case of lockdown, travel restrictions, or cancelations is also advisable.

Visas and vaccines: Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, as well as the consulate or embassy sites of the countries you’re planning to visit for information on visa and vaccination requirements. If you’re booking through a travel agency, they should be able to provide you with upto-date information.

Finally, it’s important to keep an open mind! Different cultures do things differently, which may initially surprise you. Being respectful and showing genuine interest can be truly enlightening and a great opportunity for learning.

FACING PAGE: Making memories in Sierra de Gredos, Spain. ABOVE LEFT: Riding through Chile’s Atacama Desert as a solo female traveler. ABOVE RIGHT: Riding holidays are a great opportunity to meet new friends. All images by Mathilde Gregoire

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