Horseback Riding: Equestrianism

Showing posts with label Equestrianism. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Some Basic (But Important) Horseback Riding Tips

Even if you are an experienced horseback rider, there might still be a few things you could learn to help make your ride safer and more enjoyable. Especially for novice riders, there are definitely lots of things to keep in mind to not only enhance the pleasure of your experience, but also for safety reasons. Following are some tips to help you prepare for your ride.
* Always check your equipment thoroughly and make any necessary repairs before you head out. Take along some string, a pocket knife and strips of leather because if your tack fails, you might be able to make at least some temporary repairs enabling you to ride home instead of walking.
* Avoid riding alone, especially for younger and beginner-level riders. If you have even a minor accident and you're alone, you could end up in serious or possibly life threatening situation. Also bring along a cell phone or walk-talkie.
* Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. If it's too warm for long-sleeves, bring along a lightweight jacket that will protect you from scrapes and sunburn. Covering your arms and legs will also help to keep the bugs from biting you.
* Take some bug repellent with you. Insects flying around your face and your horse can really be an annoyance. Keep in mind that most animals don't like the sound of aerosol spray cans, especially close to their ears. Purchase repellent in a small plastic pump bottle or in a lotion version. This way, you can apply some repellent to your face and hands and also on the horse's face and ears.
* Wear hard-soled boots with a small heal. Try to avoid wearing boots with deep arches or large treads because they can cause your feet to get caught in the stirrups.
* Wear protective head gear because not only can a riding helmet provide protection in the event of a fall, but you might also encounter tree branches or other hazards along the way.
* Wear sunglasses to help provide protection against ultraviolet rays and dust or dirt that can fly up and get in your eyes.
* Bring one of those compact, waterproof ponchos with you. They are small enough to fit in your shirt pocket and are good to have in case of a sudden rain.
* Fanny packs around your around your waist are okay for smaller items you want to take with you, but don't wear a back pack because they have a tendency to throw off your balance and can also get caught in tree limbs.
By following a few simple guidelines you'll have a much nicer ride and a happier horse too!

Article Written By J. Foley
Horse Whispering Secrets

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Horseback Riding in Hawaii

There are lots of places to go horseback riding on the beautiful island of Hawaii. You can choose from trails through its exotic, untouched mountains and valleys with fabulous waterfalls and scenery to privately-owned, horse ranches and stables with beautiful landscapes. Following are two options where you'll no doubt experience the horseback adventure of a lifetime.
Top of Waipio
Top of Waipio is located on a ridge way above the Waipio Valley, where you will find some of the most breathtaking scenery on the Island of Hawaii. This area remains untouched as the sugar cane companies have restricted access to it. You can only get to the overlooks by horseback, foot, ATVs or mountain bikes. Helicopters are not even allowed to get close the rim of the base of the valley!
On horseback, you will ride for two and a half hours through lush, open fields where you'll encounter cows, sugar cane, wild flowers and views of the magnificent Haleakala volcano, twenty-five miles away. You can also opt for a fantastic five-hour Hidden Waterfall ride. This includes the same beautiful experience of the shorter ride, but continues back along the stream that feeds into the Hi'ilawe Falls. You will ride deep into the rainforest and encounter a series of smaller waterfalls and secret pools. You can tie up your horse and hike down to a very private waterfall which spills into a stunning, ginger-lined pool. Then enjoy yourself as you picnic and swim in this hidden, magical place. For more information on this heavenly adventure, go to www.waipioridgestables.com and click on the horseback riding link at the bottom of the page.
Dahana Ranch
Dahana Ranch provides safe and fun horseback rides and activities and prides themselves on their 'Aloha' spirit. They offer several different riding options and welcome families with children as young as three-years-old. You can take a one and half hour, open-range 'Ranch Ride' which covers about four miles of spectacular territory where you'll encounter cattle, sheep, horses and more including fantastic views of the Mauna Kea and Waipi'o Valley. They also offer a 'Range Station' ride for the more adventurous. You can get as loud as you want helping to move their herd of Brahman crossbreds across the ranch. Dahana Ranch accommodates riders of all skill levels but does offer a two-hour Advanced Ride tailored for owners and competitors with lots of freedom on open land. They are open seven days a week with rides daily and by reservation. Visit them at www.dahanaranch.com.
For a full list of locations where you can go horseback riding in Hawaii, visit the Alternative-Hawaii website's Sports and Recreation / Horseback Riding page at http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/activity/bisrhb.htm.
Article Written By J. Foley
http://abouthorses.net

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Horseback Riding In Maui

It's common knowledge that Maui, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. But in addition to the fantastic tropical atmosphere, fabulous food and wonderful culture, there are also great options for horseback riding.

Ironwood Ranch is located atop the western Maui Mountains, high above the busy resort area. They claim to have the best string of horses available in the entire region and specialize in smaller group rides. There are also private rides available upon request and you can even have a horseback riding party on their grounds if you like. They offer a wide variety of horseback riding options and can accommodate families and individual riders of any experience level. The ranchers will specially select a horse for you that matches your riding style and ability and even offer smaller, gentle horses for children. Choose from several different tours and ride through the pineapple fields and Ironwood Forest while enjoying spectacular views of Maui and its neighboring islands. Visit Ironwood Ranch's website at www.ironwoodranch.com.

Haleakala on Horseback offers two exciting, 'House of the Sun' guided horseback trail rides into the largest, dormant volcano on Earth - the Haleakala. They provide experienced guides that narrate the trip, giving you all sorts of information on the fascinating history and geology of Haleakala in addition to the rare plants and animals found there. Take the eight-mile Haleakala Crater Ka Moa O Pele Junction Ride and descend down the soft slope of the Sliding Sands Trail, 2500 feet to the crater floor! It's about four hours of incredible scenery and there is no prior horseback riding experience necessary. Plus, you'll be given a wonderful lunch when you reach the bottom. Go to www.mauihorsebackriding.com for more information.

Mendes Ranch is an actual working cattle ranch situated in the heart of West Maui. Ride the range into the base of flourishing, green valleys where you'll take in breathtaking views of the flowing waterfalls of the West Maui Mountains. Afterward, ride along the waves of the beautiful shorelines. They have a two-hour morning ride which starts at 8:30 am and an afternoon ride beginning at 12:30 in the afternoon. At the end of each ride, you'll be offered a generous, Azeka-style feast for an additional fee. The ranch is closed on Sundays and the minimum age for riders is 7 years old. Their web address is www.mendesranch.com.

Lahaina Stables is nuzzled in the slopes of the West Maui Mountains. They offer several riding options including a two-hour morning ride, three and a half lunch ride and a remarkable, two-hour sunset ride which they highly recommend, especially for experienced riders. They welcome families with a minimum age requirement of 8-years-old. Get more information at www.mauihorse.com.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Head over hoofs about vaulting

16 Jan 10 @ 11:47am by Stacy Thomas

NICOLE Stapleton and Nicole Collett travelled to Germany last year for horse vaulting and now have their eyes set on the United States.
The two are spending one weekend a month training in Canberra with an elite squad in preparation for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in October, with practice increasing in the lead-up to competition. Germany is at the top of the horse vaulting world. It is the country the rest of the world looks up to.
The aim of the elite squad is to cull its members down from 18 to 10 and attempt to qualify for this year’s games.
This will be the first time Australia has sent a team for vaulting because it’s the first time the country has had the calibre of riders to go up against the rest of the world.
There are less than 15 vaulting clubs in Australia, with Oakville-based Stapleton and Collett major hopes for the games.
“Vaulting is my passion,” Stapleton said. “At first it was a bit of fun combining horseriding and gymnastics.
“Now I have a dream to go overseas to train and compete.”
The duo is training with Sydney Vaulting Group and Hawkesbury Vaulting Club.
The next big event is the state championships in April at Horseworld Maraylya.
Vaulting is a competitive discipline where gymnastic and dance elements are combined and performed to music on a cantering horse.
* HORSE mad? Combine horse riding with the grace of dancing, strength of gymnastics and love of music.
Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback and participants don’t have to own a horse to learn the fine art.
Children as young as six begin by learning basic gymnastic skills on the mat and barrel.
Then they put their skills to the test on a slow horse.
As their skill and confidence improves, the horse progresses to a canter.
Hawkesbury Vaulting Club will be holding a twilight open session where visitors can see a variety of demonstrations, including one by a 2010 World Equestrian Games hopeful.
There will also be opportunities for visitors to try some basic skills on the barrels, as well as face painting, barbecue and stalls. Details: 0407949826 or 45765208.
It will be held on Saturday, January 30, from 3pm to 6pm at Kinlew Equestrian Centre, 477 Sackville Rd, Ebenezer.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Equitrekking’s PBS TV Series Launches Equitrekking Travel Featuring Exceptional Equestrian Vacations

Equitrekking, the Emmy Award-Winning Public TV series that is broadcast to tens of millions of viewers on PBS and international networks, announces the launch of Equitrekking Travel [www.EquitrekkingTravel.com]. This new enterprise will allow individuals and groups to enjoy in person the horse riding vacations they could previously only see on the popular Equitrekking television series. The riding vacations will take place at featured locations and many will be led by the same guides who have appeared on Equitrekking's programs.

The Equitrekking series is the first televised travel series to explore the world on horseback. Host Darley Newman travels off the beaten path, riding horses with local people to get an in-depth look at an area's natural surroundings, culture and history. Viewers, after watching these riding vacations in televised form during the last four seasons, have repeatedly asked how and where they might have the same equestrian experience. Thus, Darley decided to launch Equitrekking Travel as a forum through which viewers and their friends can also enjoy Darley's favorite equestrian trips, vacations that include horse riding with local guides as well as other activities featured on Equitrekking.

As Darley has often said, "when you explore a place on horseback, you ride with local people who can show you the best of their area. This is my favorite way to travel. I learn tons of things that aren't found in any guidebook."

Now viewers of Equitrekking who have dreamed of riding horses in locations where Equitrekking has gone will be able to actually experience what they have seen on the show. Darley has handpicked the sites that have been selected so far for Equitrekking Travel, because they offer accessible vacations that accommodate travelers with varying budgets and riding skills, including beginners and their non-riding companions. Horseback riding is an exciting, eco-friendly way to see the world and traveling with a local guide makes these journeys very special.

Riders may participate in unique adventures like riding with the Bedouin in the desert in Jordan, cattle round-ups at a working ranch in New Mexico, cross country training in Ireland, a pack trip in the Canadian Rockies or Alaska, natural horsemanship at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, trail riding America’s National Parks in Utah and more. These new travel offerings include visiting magical Petra, exclusive access to Jordan’s Royal Stables, sightseeing in bustling Istanbul, fly-fishing in Wyoming, golf at Mount Juliet and castle tours in Ireland and Wales.

“I, like many Americans, own a small business, have family obligations and work a lot, so I know how important it is to have a good vacation when you have limited time,” said Darley. “I really worked to include riding vacations that encompass diverse, full travel experiences and allow those who wish it, some respite from the trappings of modern life. Some trips include city stops in Montevideo or Amman, so if you travel all the way to Uruguay or Jordan, you can ride at an estancia with working gauchos or in the desert with the Bedouin, as well as visit the major sights. On some of my chosen wilderness and ranch adventures, you can leave your cell phone behind -- because it won’t work anyway -- and so really get away from it all for a few days or a week.” 

The original, first-hand travel blogs, photographs and video from the best of the 35 Equitrekking episodes on EquitrekkingTravel.com, along with in-depth trip itineraries allow travelers to learn about where they are going before they get there. In the coming weeks, the EquitrekkingTravel.com site will be enhanced with a Trip Finder that will make searches for vacations based on dates, riding skill level and location even easier.  

Trips featured on EquitrekkingTravel.com can be booked by Equitrekking Travel’s preferred provider of travel services, Julie Snyder. Julie is an award winning "Virtuoso Travel Agent" as well as an experienced, enthusiastic equestrian. Julie can arrange all aspects of the vacation, including airfare, rental car, additional vacation days in cities and activities for companions who do not ride.

Continually updated, the Equitrekking Travel Deals page features Last Minute Deals on equestrian vacations, Special Events that include access to high profile equestrian competitions at Spruce Meadows and the annual Calgary Stampede. EquitrekkingTravel.com Deal’s also feature Special Departures to train with an Olympic Dressage Rider in Spain or ride America’s National Parks in Utah. The Best Picks section of the website further categorizes trips to help visitors narrow their search. The Equitrekking monthly newsletter features these special deals, along with travel articles and vacation updates. Darley’s Blog on EquitrekkingTravel.com highlights helpful tips on how to pack and prepare for an equestrian vacation, based on Darley’s expertise in riding the world.

For more information, visit EquitrekkingTravel.com.