If you’re looking to treat yourself and your horse to a holiday with some wonderful outriding this summer, then Exmoor ‘The Riding Playground of England’ is the place to go. With its stunning and varied terrain, deep wooded coombes, sparkling river valleys, meandering streams, open moorland and long, stretching canters – you and your horse will have the time of your life.

Exmoor National Park Authority and the British Horse Society are about to unveil 11 newly revamped, circular riding routes across Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. Riders will be able to purchase an information folder containing handy laminated maps – perfect for sorting out your RUPPS from your BOATS and your coombes from your moors, without resorting to the ‘fine mess’ usually associated with trying to read a large map from horseback in a place you don’t know very well.

Awaiting you on Exmoor is a vast array of horse holiday accommodation providers who welcome horses and riders with open arms - and open stables and paddocks – and really know how to look after guests. You’ll find breathtaking scenery, comfortable cottages and farmhouses, home cooking that hits the right spot, reassuringly large and well-kitted-out boot rooms for ‘gear’ and plenty of hot water after a day’s riding.

More often than not, the owners, or someone knowledgeable nearby, will be happy to accompany you on rides. Some will even take you further afield for a blast on the beach, a trip to a local competition centre, or a day’s racing. If you don’t want to bring your own horse, but fancy a gallop over open moorland, or a leisurely forest ride with glimpses of spectacular coastland, followed by a pub lunch – there are plenty of riding establishments and hireling yards offering good quality, well-mannered horses and escorted rides.

While your horse has a well-deserved day off relaxing in his tranquil paddock, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. Exmoor is packed with equestrian events and country shows and activities - there really is something for everyone. You can take part or just sit back and watch.

Local pubs and restaurants like to use fresh, local produce wherever possible and the area is full of mouthwatering food and drink to take home, as well as gifts, crafts and art. Check out towns and villages like Dulverton, Porlock, Lynton, Dunster and Wiveliscombe.

While you’re there, don’t miss out on an opportunity to see one of our national treasures – the unique Exmoor ponies, who live ‘as part of nature’ on the moorland areas. These truly prehistoric ponies – often referred to as ‘little horses’ - have managed to survive, virtually unchanged, some of the harshest weather and conditions the UK can throw at them, for the past hundred thousand years. Highly intelligent and enormously resilient, they are also capable of forging close and long-lasting friendships with man and becoming wonderful riding partners.

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Tel/fax 01643 474227
Sue Porter - Editor

email: [email protected]
www.englandsequestrian.co.uk

England's Equestrian Magazine, 16 Leas Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG19 8JH
This feature appeared in England's Equestrian Magazine in 2005

www.englandsequestrian.co.uk