Chris - Travel Consultant

Since joining In The Saddle in 2003, I have been fortunate to travel to over 40 different destinations. Much of South America, except Uruguay and Argentina, is still a bit of a mystery to me, but I am very happy to help with most other worldwide destinations from personal experience. In a nutshell, my areas of specialism are North America; Argentina and Uruguay; Greenland, Iceland and northern Europe; southern Europe (Italy and Crete); eastern Europe (Bulgaria); Middle East (Israel); and Asia (Mongolia).

I originally studied at Warwickshire College of Agriculture, and following teaching appointments in Italy and the UK, I was accepted into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. I was an army officer for seven years, during which I led adventure training exercises in various countries including Norway and Jamaica. On leaving the army I returned to my love of horses, latterly taking up positions with the ILPH (now World Horse Welfare) and the RSPCA. I also hold the BHSI(SM).

Talking Horses and Travel with Chris

Your favourite destination… so far?
There is something different about every destination I have visited, and it is true to say that the more remote and challenging expedition rides hold a fascination for me. However, if I could jump on a plane tomorrow, I would definitely be heading back to Iceland; or perhaps British Columbia and Yukon; then again possibly Kenya and Tanzania; but the lure back to Mongolia is strong too; as are the vineyards of Tuscany, or the mystery of Israel …. this is an impossible question!

What’s on your travel bucket list?
I’m always very happy to travel, and don’t usually mind where, but there are still a few destinations on my wish list. I would love to see the dunes at Sossusvlei in Namibia; ride on the white sands of Mozambique; explore the Kingdom of eSwatini; track wolves in Portugal; see Petra in Jordan and scale the dizzy heights of Ecuador.

What sort of horse do you prefer?
I would have answered a small horse, especially the Icelandic Horse, but at Ant’s Lodges recently I rode the most wonderful Thoroughbred ….. so now I’m a little undecided!

What’s your most memorable travel moment?
There are special moments on every ride, but an ever-enduring moment for me was on the summit of the holy Tiger Mountain in Tibet, where time stood still as my ‘little prayers’ were carried off in the wind.

What is the best part of your job?
What could be nicer than reliving your best holiday moments every day? The wonderful thing about this job is being able to share my experiences with others and helping them to plan the holiday of a lifetime. Or perhaps the first of many holidays? The excitement of the planning is wonderful but hearing from guests when they return from a wonderful adventure is the icing on the cake, and I get to relive my memories all over again.

I wouldn’t travel without…
There are many things on my ‘wouldn’t travel without’ list, but just a few are spare boot laces, small cable ties and at least two buffs.

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