Extremadura Treasures
15 October 2022
Green Island Trail
15 October 2022
Brenda who has been on 14 In The Saddle rides. Fastastic Riding Holiday | Exceeded my expectations. Loved the canters and gallops!
Green Island Trail
15 October 2022
Tina who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Perfect horse riding holiday in stunning location | I was very impressed by the variety and quality of the horses, all of whom were extremely well cared for. I rode three different horses during the week, and all of them were excellent and a good match for me.
Green Island Trail
15 October 2022
John who has been on 14 In The Saddle rides. An outstanding riding experience from start to finish! | What was nice was that all paces were accommodated, the horses were very well trained, the food and accommodations were outstanding, and the hosts, Claude and Christine made you feel very welcome in their home.
Anky, who led our rides, was an outstanding guide and she would tailor your ride and preferences to suit. Fantastic staff, and let's not forget Rui !
Kambaku Safari Lodge
13 October 2022
Chris who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Wonderful chance to see African wildlife up close | Exceeded expectations. The guidance had said that riding would be tailored to our preferences. We had assumed that meant a compromise between our preferences and that of the other half dozen people we would be riding with. Not so. The Lodge took seriously that we were less troubled about long canters than we were about seeing and learning about the wildlife. Most days we rode with only a guide, and we were allotted the one who was also a game ranger. We had some amazing encounters with the game on the reserve.
Horizon Lodge
12 October 2022
Marian who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous | This was our second holiday at Horizon - and I have to say I think we enjoyed it even more second time around. The owners and staff are so welcoming and really fun to be around. The riding was superb - horses matched perfectly to our individual abilities.
Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting
9 October 2022
Kathryn who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Chianti Castles & Wine Tasting | The horses were good quality, very fit and extremely well looked after. As an experienced rider it can be a bit frustrating to have to ride in single file all the time but I do understand from a safety perspective why this is done. The landscape was very hilly and the horses managed this very well. I mostly rode a fantastic horse that was actually the owners daughter's eventer so I feel privileged to have been able to use him.
[Becky from In The Saddle replies: Thank you very much for your feedback and we are so pleased you enjoyed the ride.]
Sun and Riding
9 October 2022
Vanessa who has been on 10 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous location and excellent horses | We were extremely impressed with the equestrian centre at Velanie, the yard was organised, clean and with good facilities. The staff (Vladimir and Julia) were extremely helpful and patient. We were expected to help prepare our horses and, as it was some time since we have done this for ourselves, we needed some help. Both Vlad and Julia were happy to show us what to do and careful to check everything was in order before anyone mounted. They clearly loved all the horses and made sure their welfare was always the priority.
We were both very happy with our horses and when we were allocated less interesting horses on one of the days, the situation was quickly rectified following a chat with the team.
The riding was on fairly hard and narrow tracks which limited freedom a little but this had already been explained before we went so we knew what to expect. However, the scenery and the overall experience made up for these limitations and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Miyak Tribe Trail
9 October 2022
Caroline who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Incredible adventure of a lifetime | The riding is not for the feint hearted but if you’re up to it, it will blow your mind. Forward going ponies and so sure footed over the toughest terrain. Even galloping was exhilarating over the mountains. Everybody was carefully considered and matched perfectly to their pony.
Maasai Mara Starting at KO 8
9 October 2022
Casey (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Absolutely amazing! | It was absolutely perfect for my riding ability and what we were looking for. I am an intermediate rider and was matched perfectly with the right horse for me (Flash) and found the pace to be very comfortable. If anything, it was a bit slow / too much walking which would be the feedback from my husband who is a more advanced rider. But overall it was an amazing experience, for both our first safari and riding holiday.
[In The Saddle - we are so pleased that you enjoyed your safari.]
Miyak Tribe Trail
9 October 2022
Jamie (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Phenomenal! | Excellent
Quinta do Rol
9 October 2022
Charlotte who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Amazing holiday - excellent riding, wonderful hosts, great tuition | The horses were outstanding as was the instruction. The facilities were excellent and I learnt a tremendous amount in a very short period of time. The horses and tuition were very well matched to my requirements but with the right amount of "stretch".
Bottlenose Trail
9 October 2022
Ira who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. Bottlenose trail - Brilliant holiday, well organised and fabulous riding | Yes as described.
Quinta do Rol
9 October 2022
Nicola who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Quinta Do Rol - Fantastic | The riding was fantastic. We were not the most experienced riders but the instructors never made us feel awkward about that. They were enthusiastic, encouraging and had a wealth of knowledge to impart. Our riding really developed during our stay and each lesson was the perfect mix of being challenging and fun. The riding centre itself is incredibly well run and the horses were amazing.
[Abbie from In The Saddle replies: We really appreciate your feedback, thank you. I am really pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Quinta do Rol.]
Bottlenose Trail
9 October 2022
Lizzie who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous | The riding was fabulous with the good mix of walk trot and canter. The beach ride was really great and our guide Miguel was professional and good fun always making sure the horses were well cared for.
Bottlenose Trail
9 October 2022
Jackie who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Bottlenose Trail Portugal - A brilliant week of horse riding, scenery, guiding support and fun with friends | Exceeded expectations. I was concerned that it wouldn’t be enough riding as we had chosen a trail of 4-6 hours per day. But actually it was more than enough time in the saddle. Must be getting older! Scenery more varied and remote than expected. I don’t think we met anyone on the whole trail and only very little roadwork connection tracks with some spectacular views.
[In The Saddle replies: We really appreciate your feedback and are so pleased that your holiday exceeded your expectations.]
Sun and Riding
8 October 2022
Liz who has been on 9 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous - again! I’ll be back - again. | I rode the wonderful Mangas who suited me completely. Willing, able and with a great temperament. I also had three lessons on him in the open air ménage - with a great view down to mountain.
I am not able tack up the horses but this was done very willingly for me.
I was on the Sunny Rides programme which proved suitable and fun for an experienced rider of advancing (advanced!) years.
Atlantis Ride
8 October 2022
Sara Fevre (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Good
Lodge stay
8 October 2022
Gillian (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) A truly wonderful experience | Riding at Borana was absolutely wonderful. The horses were in excellent condition, well mannered, and forward going. Our guide Nicholas took us on a different ride every day (we rode for 7 days) . We saw different terrain , lots of animals and had some amazing long canters & fast gallops.
Sun and Riding
8 October 2022
Olaug who has been on 13 In The Saddle rides. Ride, food, relax. Hospitality. Lovely hotel, room/food. | Excellent
Sun and Riding
8 October 2022
Grethe who has been on 7 In The Saddle rides. Wonderful | A good selection of horses in a changing landscape.
Did different rides everyday and enjoyed the variety this offered.
Sun and Riding
8 October 2022
Elisabeth who has been on 21 In The Saddle rides. Beautiful location and excellent service | The riding took place in small hill/mountain/field roads, with gravel or concrete or asphalt surface. Most of the riding was upwards or downwards with beautiful views and with short and some longer canters in the more relative smooth upward parts with gravel ground. The selection of horses is varied and will fit the unexperienced and the experienced rider. I got to ride 3 different horses and was very pleased with 2 of them. We were riding in one line with the same order within the same day. It was therefor a nice experience to change the horses some days to also get another place in the order, being in the back and also being in the front. It was difficult, some times, to get the information given by the guide when riding in the back. The guides were very helpful and nice in all respect.
Monfragüe National Park
8 October 2022
Marianne who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. The horses were fantastic. Regarding riding level Red+, I expected a relatively calm ride with a lot of walk, but was pleasantly surprised by a quite fresh pace in both trot and especially canter. There was far more canters than I expected. A huge pleasure.
Sun and Riding
6 October 2022
Joanna who has been on 2 In The Saddle rides. Great riding, great people, great accommodation and location | Riding was great, lovely horses - clearly well cared for. Enjoyed being able to help with grooming, tacking up etc.
Sulayr Ride
5 October 2022
Jane who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Memorable and great fun | As anticipated this ride was slow due to the terrain with quite a lot of on foot walking where terrain very steep.However some cantering days 2 and 3 and well worth the ride to cross the high Sierra Nevada. Horses sure footed , picnics delicious , views amazing and you really were off the beaten tracks. We keep talking about our Spanish adventure. We loved being in the mountains and the two villages, Bubion and Trevelez, were fascinating.The horses were well schooled so could relax and enjoy the countryside eg picked their way over rough terrain, you just gave them a long rein, in canter went into a rhythm and did not pull so can just sit still with light contact, when leading they walked behind and did not tread on you !
Quinta do Rol
4 October 2022
Pippa who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Quinta do Rol - Lovely place | The equestrian centre facilities were truly beautiful. The horses were very well turned out and cared for. Good quality tack that was cleaned after each ride. There were 3 trainers and it would have been more beneficial for me to swap about a bit more.
Riding Holiday
2 October 2022
Janice (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Outstanding vacation !
Miyak Tribe Trail
2 October 2022
Julie who has been on 4 In The Saddle rides. Exhilarating Unforgettable Ride | Vasco takes great care to match you well with your horse and Johan my horse was a dream. I loved every minute of the riding especially the fast walking and great fast canters and gallops. Such a thrilling ride.
Villa Based Ride
2 October 2022
Sarah who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Outstanding. | Horses were superbly looked after. Rachel had great insight and diplomacy, with all the riders. Unusually we were allowed to gallop on the beach day 1. (We only found out after they normally assess you first but seemed happy w us after we said we hunted regularly). There was not a single horse that misbehaved or put a foot out of line at any point in the week. Fantastic ratio of horses to riders to ensure adequate rest time between work. They all knew their job and are a great testament to Rachels investment into training over a long period. They were all well shod, sound and a delight to ride. I was given three greys through the week.
[Becky from In The Saddle replies: Thank you very much for your feedback, we are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your holiday at Los Alamos.]
Villa Based Ride
2 October 2022
Claire who has been on 3 In The Saddle rides. Beach and Forest riding | Definitely met expectations
Horse operation was excellent
Riding Safari
1 October 2022
Miquel (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Horseback riding safari in the Macatoo Paradise | All ridings were carefully cared about.
The guides were excellent.
All was specially prepared for Kate. All horseback riding endings were on a different location and we were always surprised and excited.
All the staff were really good.
Monte Velho
1 October 2022
Maxine who has been on 8 In The Saddle rides. Fabulous week of riding | I had an amazing week at Monte Velho, my riding improved so much with some great instruction and superb schoolmasters.
[In The Saddle replies: Thank you for your feedback on Monte Velho. We're so pleased that you enjoyed your return visit.]
Yngve (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) Wonderful riding in an intereseting area with fantastic host | The trail was sold in as a trail with some cantering and trots. During the trail some more cantering would have be fine, but according to the initial information it was as agreed.