Castle Leslie in Ireland, anyone?

[equest]

I have always wanted to do a riding vacation in Ireland. I had known someone who did the Cross Country International vacation experience, and raved about the Ireland cross country riding and the horses, but that company went belly up. I saw an Equi Trekking episode a while back which featured Castle Leslie, and it looked great. I see that they offer all inclusive riding vacations for experienced riders, and I am pondering a trip this summer, to escape the heat and humidity of Florida. I’d go it alone since I don’t have friends or family interested in this trip, and I happen to be single at the moment.

Has anyone been ? Thoughts? http://www.castleleslie.com/

[BAC]

The photographs are stunning, it looks like a fabulous place for a riding vacation although I know nothing about it.

A friend has taken many riding/trekking vacations to Latin American, Europe, India and Africa through Equitours and each trip is better than the next. She goes on the “invitation only” trips for experienced riders, maybe you could contact them about Castle Leslie for info?

[carly]

I’m not sure if you’re open to Wales, but if so, I would highly recommend FreeRein Riding Holidays (http://www.free-rein.co.uk/). I went on a self-guided trip this summer with two friends and we had a blast. The scenery is beautiful and the horses were a lot of fun- we did a fair bit of cantering and trotting (as the terrain allowed). They also offer guided tours (need at least two people to do the self-guided). We rode for 5 days and experienced different scenery each day!

[regalace]

I went a long time ago (2001). It was fantastic. Two rides a day, morning and afternoon, plus very nice meals. The people were lovely and the horses were saints (though some more lively than others!). Lots of galloping cross-country, but they would scale the rides to your comfort level. BTW–be kind to the horses and tip your ride leader or instructor; they can and will make you fall if they think you need an ego adjustment.

I just booked direct with Castle Leslie for a long weekend, as I was in England anyway, but there are many tour companies and stables that offer packages. Just Google “ireland equestrian tours” or some such. Also you might ask in the Eventing section, if you haven’t already. Here’s one: http://www.ehi.ie/

[equest]

Thanks all, for the helpful feedback! I am definitely more into jumping training and cross country than scenic rides, though I know there will be some nice scenic hacks mixed in per Castle Leslie’s description. I’ll look into Equitours as well.

[elysechuvalas]

My husband took me in September for my 50th birthday. I can’t tell you how much fun it was. We met and hung out with a great group of people, the horses and riding staff are terrific and the grounds are beautiful.

[AliCat]

A riding trip to Ireland is on my bucket list. Let us know what you choose and how your experience was.

[VelvetsAB]

I used Equitours and booked Annaharvey Farms, in Tullamore…about an hour(ish) by train outside of Dublin. It was more in the lines of having lessons. I had a cross country lesson and a stadium jumping lesson each day, plus an hour hack (three hours total lesson time). I don’t think I rode the same horse more than twice over the 5 days that I was there. Also went as a single person.

It doesn’t look like Equitours has them on their list anymore, but I checked the Annaharvey website, and it shows that they still offer Equestrian Holidays.

Linda and her family were awesome, and I really enjoyed my stay there.

http://www.annaharveyfarm.ie/

ETA: I found lesson video! (Excuse my refusal at the end of the first one…whoops!) Jenna was my coach for the majority of the time, and she pushed me in a good way to go higher then I normally jumped at home. It was a great confidence booster! (I think I may need more leg…?)

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=147715318381&l=2978382996003456220

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=147699108381&l=2519551679074170217

[ako]

I really, really wanted to go this year. I wanted to focus on individual or small group jump lessons and then some cross-country estate rides. I even have some flight vouchers and miles with British Airways. I was thinking of going to Castle Leslie in Winter/Spring and taking advantage of the indoor to start up the season. Now you got me thinking about it again…

[ako]

Equest, did you do this? I’m considering this again. I really, really want to go…

[50ShadesOfHay]

I went 2.5 years ago and LOVED it! My husband came with me although he did not ride there are other non-horsey things to do there. Its a bit difficult to find, not a lot of signage and its a driveway off the end of a road.

We stated there for 3 nights in the Lodge, while in Ireland for a week and a half. I believe the castle is actually haunted, and featured on a few of Travel Chanel most haunted places. So we stayed in the Lodge…lol.

There isn’t much nearby but they have everything you would need, 2 restaurants on site, lots of activities (even falconry), and they proved rubber boots if you want to go for a walk/hike, since it rains pretty frequently.

They have loads of trails to go on and I was taken out with a small group with a guide over maybe 2 foot jumps (they have various options).

[ako]

Ok, now you convinced me I’d be foolish not to go! My husband can’t go so maybe I need a solo vacation. I’m not into haunted locales when sleeping alone, so the lodge it is.

[equest]

I have not yet been, but I am still dreaming of the trip.

[ako]

I will let you know how it goes, then, and hopefully give you a good excuse to plan a trip. I’m super excited.

[Foxtrot_s]

A number of people I know have been (some time ago now), people of average riding skill, to people of good riding skill - all reported a fabulous time.

[ako]

Castle Leslie was fabulous! 2-3 hours of riding a day over 6 days. The lodge was comfortable and charming, with the equestrian center just an elevator ride away. Our room overlooked the equestrian center.

The focus is definitely cross-country. They have plenty of safe, sane cross-country horses to pick from. Some perhaps don’t have the best flat-work in the ring, but they’re pros outside.

They can take novices and quasi-beginners safely over cross-country jumps and do it all the time. The staff really have a good method and know just how much to push the riders. I’m a bit of a weenie outside - out of shape to boot - and I really enjoyed some cross-country jumps by the last day. I even jumped a couple 3-foot jumps in the indoor - a big deal for me.

It was great!!! The beds were comfortable, grounds lovely, and the food was good!!

[BAC]

So glad you made the opportunity to go ako, and that you had such a wonderful time, it sounds like an awesome riding vacation.

[ako]

BAC, thanks! I miss it already!

I would definitely recommend Castle Leslie very highly. Such a fabulous experience! I will say, when they say to canter, they’re really looking for a good gallop. They like their horses in front of the leg, that’s for sure!