Claire - Travel Consultant

My main areas of specialism are Europe and Mongolia.

I grew up in Northern Ireland and have been an avid horse enthusiast from a young age. I studied Media and Communications at Goldsmiths University of London, and in my spare time rode horses in Hyde Park and had a horse share in North London. During one summer break I volunteered with Mozambique Horse Safari for a month and had a fantastic time with Pat and Mandy Retzlaff. After graduating, I came back home to Northern Ireland and worked for Shelter NI during the week, spending every weekend leading trail rides in the Mourne mountains. A highlight during this chapter of my life was to go with a charity group to a ranch in Colorado, raising funds for the Southern Area Hospice. I spent one summer interning at a western stud in Ireland and made the decision to follow my dream of working with horses full-time, after that I headed for Georgia, USA to work on a ranch. Following this I moved to Germany to work for European champion reiner, Philipp Martin Haug. Since joining In The Saddle in 2016, I have ridden in Spain, Hungary, The Azores, Rhodes and Mongolia.

Horses and Travel with Claire

Tell us about your riding experience.
I have been riding for 21 years. I love Western riding disciplines such as reining, trail, pleasure and horsemanship.

What's been your favourite destination… so far?
Mongolia, shortly followed by Rhodes.

What's on your bucket list?
I would love to go on safari.

What sort of horse do you like?
A palomino quarter horse.  Only joking must haves for me are a horse with a good attitude and work ethic.

What’s your most memorable travel moment?
Swimming in the sea with my horse in Mozambique and galloping around the deserted beaches.

What is the best part of your job?
Hearing that someone has really enjoyed their holiday.

I wouldn’t travel without…
A travel towel – I have made this mistake in the past.

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