RAJASTHAN’S NAGAUR FAIR

British Summer Time has ended and only short winter days and frosty mornings are on the UK’s itinerary for the foreseeable future. However, before hibernation and the January sales set in, head for some winter sun in the princely state of Rajasthan for an alternative ‘sale’ at the region’s famous Nagaur Fair. Ride beautiful Marwari horses through the Thar Desert, visit the spectacular sights of Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur, stay in luxury desert camps, forts and palaces along the way and perhaps bid for a beast! Equine Adventures still has availability on its 16-day Nagaur Fair Ride, departing Delhi 23rd January 2009.

Nagaur Fair is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country, held annually between late January and early February – depending on the full moon. Situated half way between Bikaner and Jodphur, the quaint town of Nagaur fills with throngs of cattle, horses and camels, accompanied by their colourfully turbaned owners. There is earnest bargaining between owners and buyers, and plenty of fun and festivity including a tug-of-war, camel races and performances by folk musicians and dancers. The Mirchi Bazaar (Red Chilli Market) is one of the main attractions, with local crafts, cloth and jewellery for sale.
The tour starts with an initial night in Delhi, before travellers take a sleeper train to Bikaner from where the horseback safari commences. 5-nights are spent exploring remote regions of the Thar Desert on locally bred Marwari horses – notable for their characteristic inward-curling ears. Descendants of the splendid war horses that served the ruling families and warriors of feudal India, mounts come from stables at Dundlod Castle, home of Kanwar Raghuvendra Singh, AKA Bonnie, the ride’s host. A full day is spent at Nagaur Fair, enjoying the festivities on foot and horseback. Other highlights include visits to the 12th century desert stronghold of Jaisalmer, the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur (home of the riding breeches!) and the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Accommodation varies from impressive forts and palaces, once the private residences of Rajput rulers, to nights spent in luxury safari-style tented camps, fully furnished and carpeted, in the Thar Desert.

The holiday costs £2,805 p/p (ride only) including transfers, hotel and deluxe-tented accommodation, most meals, horse, tack and expertly guided activities.


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AUTUMNAL ANDALUSIA

Want to postpone the donning of ‘thermals’ for winter rides a little longer? Get tacked-up ready to canter through the surf, explore the beautiful Andalusian countryside, learn new equestrian skills and develop haute ecole techniques during Equine Adventures’ 7-night Train & Trail horse riding holiday in Spain. Holidays depart Seville every Sunday throughout 2008.

From Seville, guests are transferred to the impressive 16th century, family-run Epona hacienda, offering a high level of equestrian tuition and facilities. Spend the evening strolling around the narrow streets of Carmona, Europe’s oldest continually inhabited village, before savouring the delights of local cuisine under an indigo sky. After breakfast, trail-rides allow riders the opportunity to explore stunning Andalusian countryside, passing impressive 16th and 17th century haciendas and cortijos, which have stood since Cervantes rode these same trails collecting olive oil taxes. Return to Epona for lunch followed by a refreshing swim in the pool or an afternoon siesta. Improve flatwork or jumping skills and techniques during equitation lessons, which take place late afternoon when the air is cooler. Visit Jerez de la Frontera, the world-famous centre for sherry production where the main attraction of the day is the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestra, a classical equestrian show 'How the Andalusian Horses Dance'. Watch the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, in the beautiful 18th century riding hall, performing piaffe, passage and 'airs above the ground' such as courbette and capriole. Later, canter through surf during an unforgettable beach ride at Donana Natural Park bordering the National Park of the same name, one of Europe's last true wilderness regions and one of the largest wildlife reserves in Spain. Finally, a visit to Seville for an evening of classical Flamenco, including over twenty dancers of national and international fame, traditional singers and flamenco guitar, is a fitting conclusion to the holiday.

The tour costs from £920 p/p (land only) including transfers, accommodation, most meals, free wine with meals at Epona, guided visits to Jerez and Donana, and all riding.
Tickets for the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestra in Jerez, Flamenco Show in Seville and two meals, (one in Carmona and the other in Seville) are not included and are paid for locally.

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DRESSAGE, JUMPING & TRAIL IN PORTUGAL

The world’s most famous equestrian event, The Horse of the Year Show, has celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a mix of prestigious showing and show jumping championships plus an exclusive Dressage to Music demo from Katie Price – aka Jordan, to the sounds of her husband Peter Andre’s hit Mysterious Girl… If you’re not quite ready for the ‘big time’ (along with burning spotlights, 56,000 spectators and musical accompaniment), Equine Adventures’ offer two centre-based, Portuguese horse-riding holidays combining trail rides with expert equitation tuition from internationally renowned dressage rider Miguel Magalhaes, João Silva - an accomplished eventing rider/instructor, Francisco Fleming - one of Portugal's top ten show-jumpers, and David Alves.

Portugal has a strong equestrian tradition dating back to pre-Roman times producing many fine international riders. With a temperate climate, stunning landscapes of olive groves, cork trees and vineyards, it is an ideal year-round riding destination. Based at Hippikos Equestrian Centre on the border of the Peneda-Geres National Park, owned by Olympic Show Jumper Antonio Vozone, riders explore the beautiful Costa Verde of Portugal’s northwest whilst learning classical dressage or improving show jumping skills. During dressage lessons, ride skilfully trained horses, most of them world-famous Lusitanos, that are able to do flying changes (tempi changes), lateral work (half pass, leg yielding, shoulders in), extended trot, canter pirouettes, piaffe, passage, Spanish walk and work on the long lines. For time out of the saddle, relax by the indoor pool, explore the stunning landscape on foot, play tennis or visit tranquil, nearby beaches.

Classical Dressage Training & Trail Riding - 7 days, departs Porto every Sunday.
Classical dressage lessons are taken on skilfully trained horses, with internationally renowned dressage rider, Miguel Magalhaes (2007 Vice-Champion of Portugal) and David Alves. Ride for between three and four hours a day, including two 60-minute sessions of flatwork training, mainly concentrating on outline, transitions, lateral movement and flying changes (depending on ability), and a trail ride.

Show Jumping & Trail Riding - 7 days, departs Porto every Sunday.
The programme is run by João Silva, an accomplished eventing rider / instructor and Francisco Fleming, who consistently ranks as one of Portugal's top ten show-jumpers. Combine flat work and jumping on highly trained horses. Ride for between three and four hours a day, including one 60-minute flat work lesson and one 60-minute session over jumps, followed by a trail ride.

Holidays costs from £1,099 p/p (ride only) including return transfers, guesthouse accommodation, most meals and all riding.

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TULI, MADLY, DEEPLY - BOTSWANA

Equine Adventures has late availability on a 10-day horse riding safari in the Mashatu Game Reserve, one of Botswana’s wildest and most beautiful regions. Tour departs Botswana 23rd November 2008.

The Mashatu Reserve is part of the Tuli Block, which lies in the southeastern tip of Botswana. Known as 'The Land of the Giants', the Tuli Block is home to great herds of elephants, at least 800 inhabit Mashatu Reserve alone. In addition to elephants, there is a plethora of plains game as well as numerous cats, including leopards, lions, cheetahs, African wildcat and serval. The plains are dotted with magnificent Baobab trees and huge sandstone outcrops, whilst Mashatu and Fever trees line the banks of Rudyard Kipling’s great grey-green, greasy Limpopo. For the duration of the holiday, guests are based at Two Mashutus Camp, set in a stunning location next to the Limpopo River. The first day at camp is all about getting acquainted with equine companions during an introductory ride, then later, enjoying sundowners at the Stable Bar whilst watching horses rolling in the setting sun, followed by a delicious dinner served in the beautiful Lala Palm Rondavel. The next few days are spent exploring the surrounding terrain on horseback, riding over high basalt ridges, along age-old elephant tracks criss-crossing vast open plains and beside riverbanks, stopping to lunch under the shady canopy of an old Mashatu tree. The Mashatu Reserve is perfect for horse riding; the good going, natural ditches and logs to jump provide a fast and exhilarating ride. Encounters with elephants provide an adrenalin pumping experience and may require fast evasive action, so riders need to be confident in the saddle.

The holiday costs £1575 p/p including transfers from Pont Drift, accommodation, all meals and drinks at camp and all riding. Flights are not included but can be arranged through Equine Adventures.

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IRISH DRAUGHT OR A PINT OF THE ‘BLACK STUFF’?

12-year-old mare Peggy who used to enjoy a pint and a packet of crisps at a pub in Tyneside with her owner, has been barred after the landlady purchased new carpets. If, like Peggy, redecorating has put a block on your fun-time, perhaps it’s an exhilarating canter through the Atlantic surf along deserted beaches followed by an evening of Irish craic and a well-deserved pint of the ‘black stuff’ you’re in need of! Equine Adventures offers 4 or 7-night Riding by the Sea horse riding holidays in County Sligo with departures available between Thursdays and Sundays from Sligo now until 30th October 2008 and from April to November in 2009.

Riders are based at Holiday Horse Farm, situated in the most beautiful and untouched area of Ireland directly on the Atlantic coastline. Arrive in time to meet the well mannered, experienced and very sure-footed Irish Hunters and Connemara ponies, then enjoy a short trial ride to become acquainted with each other. Riders keep the same horse for the duration of the holiday and are free to choose a pre-breakfast gallop along miles of sandy beaches or a trek along the lanes of the hinterland at sunset! For the willing, there is also a challenging 10-mile cross-country course with over 50 obstacles - designed to cater for all levels of jumping, so everyone can have fun. For time out of the saddle, Wednesday is rest day for the horses, allowing guests to relax or explore the counties of Sligo and Donegal.

Riding holidays cost from £495 p/p (4-nights) and £750 p/p (7-nights) including B&B farmhouse or guesthouse accommodation and all riding.

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