Videos from Feb. Irish trip

[Hilary]

Thought you might enjoy the helmet cam videos from my February trip to Ireland.

I was so fortunate to have a fantastic little mare who jumped anything and everything I pointed her at - and learned pretty quickly not to point her at something until it was really time to go jump it.

Because they are long, I broke them up into smaller segments - 3 from the first day and 4 from the second.

We even had great weather -just one downpour at the very end of the day on Sunday.

I was a guest at the E. Galway hunt on the first day and the Roscommon Hunt on the second.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r86jpHoiDaI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3onu_fbU4yM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrP4T5hlOQ

Day 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZM1IW-Xtbg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4k5Iq-_sNI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJSf_MBwy4g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT2SY908NP0

[jessiesgrrl]

Oh my gosh!!! I want to go!!! lol

Just one question, and it may have been answered in the video but I am at work and have the sound off (heehee)
in the very first video at about 6.45 there is 4 random loose horses in the field, looks like the hunt was trying to round them up or something…can you explain what happened, and why?? really curious!

[Hilary]

We were in their pasture! We jumped in via a low spot in the fence (and often someone would get off and create that low spot - moving the wire, or adding some solid stuff for visibility). I was in the back, but I think they jumped in along with us. Some hunt members were trying to get them to go back into the previous section so they wouldn’t keep following, but it didn’t work.

One of the them is terribly lame - I felt really bad -and I don’t have any idea how frequently they are looked over.

We went through cow and sheep pastures too. Cows just stand and watch, sheep get spooked and they usually have one or 2 riders sort of herd them off to the side quietly so we don’t frighten them.

Once we are through, someone gets off and puts the fence back as it was.

This was my second trip and it’s just wonderful - although not for the faint of heart.

[Hilary]

Oh, and there isn’t any soundtrack other than whatever is going on - horse noises, the wind in the camera etc. Me muttering to my horse to wait, please.

[jessiesgrrl]

I already texted my riding partner and bff telling her I watched the video and we HAVE to go lol

We both enjoy a good random hack in a new section of woods or fields, so I think we would love this!!

Thanks for the explanation

[fairtheewell]

Great videos!

[west5]

Could we have more details? Were you a guest of “friends” or did you just find a livery outfit with good horses?

Last time I was in Ireland I just googled “equestrian activities” and the name of the town I was in for the day. I rode many different fantastic horses: cobs, galloped draft crosses on the beach, a show jumper in the arena, a Connemara pony in Connemara, etc. It wasn’t hunt season but the pony was one that hunted with Galway Blazers during their season.

I think the sound track of Ireland is the sound of hooves trotting on pavement

At the moment I am not getting out of the arena or off the farm nearly enough as my horse is retired and I am always on other’s horses. I was thinking of heading back to Ireland to be able to really ride for a week. If I could do it here I would (hate jet lag) but there just don’t seem to be the same opportunities.

Hunting is great (my retired Irish boy is a fox hunter) but so is just extensive hacking and cross country riding as I’m unsure about the time of year I can take off.

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

[Hilary]

Yes - 2 years ago I went on a purely riding vacation through Gerry McCarthy - he had a hunting/trekking business called Loughrea Equestrian Center. He took care of all the arrangements except my flights. Provided horses, transport to/from the hunts, arranged for lodging, picked me up from the bus station. He has cut back on the horse business but still had his own horses and was kind enough to take me out again.

Flower Hill Equestrian Center run by Oliver Walsh (who is the huntsman at the Roscommon Hunt) does lots of riding vacations including hunting. Gerry refers any inquiries to Oliver now. Oliver had lots of guests at both hunts and his website outlines what he offers year round. I think I’ve seen the name here on the COTH boards.

Willie Lahey used to run a big riding/vacation program but he is in his 80s and had a stroke last fall and no one is sure what will become of his establishment. It’s still there, but he is not doing nearly as much.

All this was going on about 30km east of Galway, so I can’t help much if you are going other places but that is pretty central and really easy to get to from the Shannon Airport - so I would check out Oliver and Flower Hill.

[Hilary]

http://flowerhill.net/

should have included that!

[west5]

[QUOTE=Hilary;7493226]

Willie Lahey used to run a big riding/vacation program but he is in his 80s and had a stroke last fall and no one is sure what will become of his establishment. It’s still there, but he is not doing nearly as much.
.[/QUOTE]

That is sad. I rode with him one day in Connemara on a fabulous hunt pony that some other random American couldn’t stay on despite pony’s rather saintly disposition.

I will definitely look into Flowerhill. This trip will be solely about the riding so I wont be traveling around. Thank you for the information.

[Beverley]

Sad news about Willie- though on reflection I haven’t seen his ads lately. Had a nice ride with him in Connemara, just made arrangements to ride one of his spare horses for one day on one of his week-long treks.

[Small_Change]

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear about Willy! Dad and I had the most wonderful time riding with he and his family in 2011. He was such a timeless man that it is hard to believe anything could possibly happen to him.

[mroetter]

Hilary:
I just read your post today. were you on one of Oliver’s horses? If so, which one? I have hunted with him in the past and I ma planning on going next fall.

[Willesdon]

I was thinking of heading back to Ireland to be able to really ride for a week.

Come to the UK and the riding is even better because we don’t just stick on the roads but can use a network of bridleways that does not exist in Ireland. It is also possible to visit a town and check available equestrian opportunities.

Alternatively, PM me as I am a natural born travel agent!

[Hilary]

[QUOTE=mroetter;8362011]
Hilary:
I just read your post today. were you on one of Oliver’s horses? If so, which one? I have hunted with him in the past and I ma planning on going next fall.[/QUOTE]

Hi, No I rode with Gerry McCarthy - he wasn’t doing his commercial business that season but took me out anyway. But Oliver was at the hunts with groups of 4-5 people - he had nice horses! I hope to be going back this winter!

Willesdon, I’d love to come to the UK sometime too. I went on plenty of bridleways and non-roads as well - usually the roads were only the very start and finish of the day.