Abbie Kozolchyk
Saddle up in style
“Horses and dogs have been man’s most intimate and faithful companions since the dawn of history,” writes Prince Philip in the foreword to “The Noble Horse,” “but the horse has certainly been the most useful.”
The Duke of Edinburgh has a point. For all of Rover’s stick-retrieving acumen, when’s the last time he let you strap a saddle to his back and ride him from chateau to chateau? (Or estancia to estancia? Or feather-bedded tent to feather-bedded tent?) Such is the service offered by countless horses around the world, many of whom work for operators that sweeten the deal with every conceivable luxury. And a few inconceivable ones, too: souvenir steed, anyone?
“A lot of people have no idea how big horseback riding is getting,” says Karen Lancaster, president of Cross Country International and purveyor of some of the swankiest riding holidays in existence. “There are 20 million riders in the U.S.,” she says, citing a recently commissioned MRI study. “And 12 million say they ride once a week, meaning they take the sport pretty seriously.”...
Saddle up in style
“Horses and dogs have been man’s most intimate and faithful companions since the dawn of history,” writes Prince Philip in the foreword to “The Noble Horse,” “but the horse has certainly been the most useful.”
The Duke of Edinburgh has a point. For all of Rover’s stick-retrieving acumen, when’s the last time he let you strap a saddle to his back and ride him from chateau to chateau? (Or estancia to estancia? Or feather-bedded tent to feather-bedded tent?) Such is the service offered by countless horses around the world, many of whom work for operators that sweeten the deal with every conceivable luxury. And a few inconceivable ones, too: souvenir steed, anyone?
“A lot of people have no idea how big horseback riding is getting,” says Karen Lancaster, president of Cross Country International and purveyor of some of the swankiest riding holidays in existence. “There are 20 million riders in the U.S.,” she says, citing a recently commissioned MRI study. “And 12 million say they ride once a week, meaning they take the sport pretty seriously.”...
Abbie Kozolchyk Saddle up in style “Horses and dogs have been man’s most intimate and faithful companions since the dawn of history,” writes Prince Phi... more
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1
The Gleneagles
Perthshire, Scotland
Meticulously equipped for every conceivable discipline of horsemanship, the sprawling Equestrian School at the Gleneagles (the surrounding trail network included) offers the riding world’s equivalent of an Ivy League education. Or at least a quickie version thereof; few guests stay more than a week. Extracurricular activities include spa-going, biking, loch-hopping and dignitary-spotting.
2
The Aravalli Hill Ride, Ghanerao Safari Tours
Rajasthan, India
By day, trot through nature sanctuaries, tribal villages and sheep-induced traffic; by night, trot out your best maharaja impression. Most accommodations are classic heritage hotels—converted forts, palaces and rawlas (“small mansions of erstwhile nobility”) still owned by Indian aristocracy.
3
Inkaterra Custom Equestrian Tours
Sacred Valley, Peru
With the eco-posh Urubamba Villas as your home base, you’ll take daily rides through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where—if you head up-mountain in almost any direction—you hit the 17th century in about 45 minutes (think: ruins, agrarian villages and an exceptionally high llama-to-human ratio). Of course, the guides (who, together with your housekeeper/chef, make up your staff for the trip) will keep you on track.
4
Explora en Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Owned by a serious equestrian, and infused with gaucho influences, Explora offers guests enough riding options to fill an entire horse-centric week (though failing to do at least some hiking—particularly to the park’s namesake towers—would be regrettable). Regardless, the best place to contemplate the matter is fireside, the planet’s best pisco sour in hand.
5
Castle Leslie Estate
Castle Leslie Estate
Its 10-million-euro renovation scheduled to debut right about now, the resident Equestrian Centre and Hunting Lodge boast—among other claims to fame—the Virtual Horse (Ireland’s first full-sized, simulated steed), 300 new jumps built by Wilson Bros. (the Nicklaus and Fazio of horse courses) and 21 miles of scenery-saturated bridleways. The castle itself has been remodeled, too, and reopens in June as a members-only retreat (but you can become a member for 3,000 euros a year, helipad use included).
6
Micato Horseback Safaris
Africa
These are custom-designed, with options ranging from a sprinkling of horseback rides to exclusively equestrian safaris. And while the location is negotiable as well, some of the best places for horseback game-gazing are in East Africa: Ol Malo, Lewa Downs, Singita and Grumeti, to name a few. Micato can also arrange for you to play polo (a popular sport in Kenya and Tanzania).
7
Paws Up Outfitters
Greenough, Montana
On rides of two to four days, you’ll reenact parts of the Corps of Discovery expedition (had it involved feather beds in pre-pitched tents and multi-course meals on the impeccably set tables, of course). And we’re pretty sure Lewis and Clark didn’t wind down with the Apres Adventure Couples Massage or the Four Paws Double Therapist Massage, but either treatment is a great way to reenter “civilization” (i.e., the Paws Up wilderness lodge) post-pack trip.
8
Cross Country International’s Chateau-to-Chateau Trail
Loire Valley, France
A glorious example of conspicuous consumption, this valley is filled with centuries-old, outsized, wealth-heralding chateaux. Even the backdrop—a blend of sunflower fields, vineyards, forests and rolling hills—is immodest. What to do with all this brazen beauty? Ride through slowly, pausing for winery breaks, riverside picnics and butler-orchestrated massages.
9
Abercrombie & Kent Lodge-to-Lodge Ride
Borana, Kenya
Sensory overload is a significant risk on this six-day ride: You’ll be surveying Mount Kenya, the Lewa Plains, the Ngare Ndare Forest and countless outsized representatives of the animal kingdom (giraffes, elephants and hartebeest, to name a few). But there’s also ample opportunity for mental palate cleansing—over poolside Pimms, say, or even better, an in-room massage.
10
Great Wall Ride and Polo Package
Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski, China
If you don’t play polo already, you may want to take it up for the improbability factor alone here: Sitting at the base of the Great Wall is an equestrian center-cum-polo grounds where you can participate in the sport of kings with one of their relatives. China’s Jordanian ambassador (part of the Hashemite Kingdom’s royal family, and the polo center’s self-appointed coach) will be happy to have you, and will adjust the teams—a rotating cast of local characters—accordingly. Between your Sunday and Wednesday games, canter alongside the Great Wall, sections of which can be reached only by riders (or exceptionally determined hikers).
[source: https://www.forbestraveler.com/adventure/equestrian-tours-story.html ]
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