How do you decide what kind of horse holiday or riding trip is right for you? Experience is an important factor to consider in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable equestrian travel experience, and our descriptions of riding level classifications will help steer you in the right direction.
These broad classifications are a recommended starting point for each of our trips, but a more detailed description can be found on each trip page, or by contacting a member of our team. We have ride-tested every ride we offer, and can give valuable insight about what to expect. We also collect detailed information from each rider prior to a trip, in order to match riders with the right horses and rides at an appropriate pace throughout the trip.
For any riders who don’t ride frequently, or have been out of the saddle for awhile, we highly recommend getting back into the saddle prior to your trip. Whether this means taking lessons, riding with a friend, or going on a local trail ride, it’s important to get reacquainted with your riding muscles before spending hours in the saddle while on holiday!
Many of our trips cater to mixed groups of riders at varying levels. Rides will either be tailored to meet the needs of all riders, or split into separate groups according to riding level.
Riders who are joining a trip where they will not be riding in their normal riding discipline may find themselves at a lower riding level than they might be at home. For example, an advanced Western rider might be more of an intermediate rider on a trip where they are riding English.
All Levels Welcome
Many of our trips can accommodate a variety of riding levels, from beginners to advanced riders, or even a mixed group. Riders might be divided into riding groups according to their experience level, but then will spend the rest of their time together, out of the saddle.
Beginner
Beginner riders have perhaps sat on a horse before but have very little riding experience. Cannot rise the trot, and not proficient in the canter.
Beginner rides take place in a controlled environment, like an area, under the supervision of an instructor who is able to assist and educate novice riders, or on trails where where the ride pace is slow and beginner-appropriate. These are great rides for families or groups where some members have little or no riding experience, because the whole group can ride together regardless of varying riding levels.
Advanced Beginners have enough experience to be comfortable on longer, walking trail rides, and are capable at a controlled trot but not comfortable cantering. They are more advanced than truly novice riders, but more beginner than our intermediate category.
Intermediate
Intermediate riders are familiar with correct riding position and can ride in control at the walk, trot, and canter. Riders who have a history of riding regularly, or ride semi-frequently.
Intermediate rides offer rides at varied paces, depending on the riders in the group, and well-schooled horses. Many trips fall into this category, since there is room for flexibility.
Advanced
Advanced riders are those who ride well and regularly, confidently and in control at the walk, trot, canter, and gallop over open ground or variable terrain, with independent seat and hands. Comfortable and competent with a forward-going horse.
Advanced-only rides are those where it is necessary to have a high level of proficiency and fitness and/or experience in the chosen discipline. (For example, for an Advanced Polo trip, previous polo experience is required.)