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A warm welcome awaits you in the lovingly
restored center just one hour from Dublin. Enjoy
the days pursuing healthy outdoor activities,
returning to roaring log fires, the best of
Irish food, and a relaxing evening.
The Equestrian Center offers excellent tuition in the
indoor or outdoor arenas. Twenty-five horses are here at all different
levels. Novice and advanced riders will find their perfect horse. One of
the best equestrian vacation in Ireland, with
lots of horse riding available in all
disciplines, particularly show jumping,
cross-country, or dressage. Here you will enjoy
wonderful horse riding facilities, including a
great range of challenging cross-country fences,
but also catering for the complete beginner.
There is an extensive cross-country course of
over 130 obstacles on the 380 acre farm. They
range from simple logs for those who are only
starting out at jumping to an Intermediate
Horse Trials event course.
We know that the vast majority of riders do not
aspire to compete at very high levels but
nevertheless enjoy jumping cross-country. We
have lots of small logs and simple jumps for
those who want to just have some fun. Often
people spend all their time training in an arena
to show jump, however our cross-country course
is an ideal way to do lots of diverse jumping
and have plenty of fun and learn some new ideas
along the way.
We also run competitions known as "Hunter
Trials". They are held in the Spring and
Autumn. This is simulation of hunting
conditions where the competitors run over a
marked course . They are let off at timed
intervals and the least faults in the best time
is the winner. This is a great fun competition
for novice cross-country riders with the classes
as follows: Pre-novice( 2ft3in. jumps) Novice
(3ft jumps) and Open (3ft6in. jumps).
The riding center enables you to stretch
yourself that little bit further than you
thought you could go. Alternatively, if you just
wish to do some gentle riding, we have many
interesting and fun rides around the farm, that
you will enjoy. Simply trek around the farm and
country lanes at leisure. Trail ride through the beautiful Slieve Bloom
mountains and end the day with a sumptuous meal followed by a drink at the
fire.
 IT-IR-ANNSTA
2008 Rates include accommodations, all meals
except dinner on Sunday night, 6 riding days with 12 hours of
instructions and cross country
8 day/ 7 nights $ 1,350
Single: + $165
-- based on
€ 950 / € 115
Dates:
Weekly from March to October
Meeting: Tullamore
Airport: Dublin
Transfer:
From Dublin $215
(€ 150) per group of 4
- also good train connection
from Dublin to Tullamore - to pay locally
Tack: English
Horses: Irish Hunters, Thoroughbred,
Connemara
Pace: to suit riders - with optional Jumping
Level: all levels
Max Riders: 12
Note: riding hours can be instructions in dressage, jumping, cross
country or guided hacking - additional riding hours can be added at Euro
50 per hour
Lodging/ Meals
Accommodation for 18 guests are comfortable and with every
facility and comfort at hand. The pitch-pine floors and beams, open fires,
and en-suite bedrooms, are complemented with colorful patchwork quilts.
The setting is a restored grain barn which has been sumptuously fitted out
to the highest standards. Each of the bedrooms are en-suite with a number
of family rooms available. All meals are catered for in the superb new
Bistro with view over the horse pastures. The food is freshly prepared
using local produce where possible, ensuring the best of Irish food every
day of your stay. Sit back by the open fire while you read through the
menu of the evening and see what takes your fancy.
For Sunday night there are several good
restaurants in Tullamore for you to explore.
The Riding Program: includes 2-3 riding
hours per day up to a total of 12 hrs (or more if you like). Whether you are a complete novice and have never ridden a
horse before, or a seasoned horseman looking for something more
challenging, you will find the experience at this center both rewarding
and extremely enjoyable.
You can also reserve the advanced instruction program that includes
3
hours of instruction on 6 of the days during your week long stay. The
center will design the instructions according to your riding level and
include jumping, dressage, cross-country and theory.
Facilities:
-
Indoor Arena - 42 x 22 metres.
-
Outdoor grass Show Jumping Arena
- 100 x 50 metres.
-
Oudoor School - 30 x 55 metres.
-
Cross-country Course - 200 acre.
-
Hacking - 400 acres.
-
Riding School Horses/Cobs (from
ex International Eventers -
beginner Riding Horses) - 20.
-
Riding School Ponies - 20.
-
Stables - 42.
-
Meals and refreshments.
-
Tack Shop - for all your riding
needs.
-
On-site Farmhouse Accommodation
- 7 bedrooms.
Horses:
-
Experienced at all
levels, from
complete beginner to
2* event standard.
-
Our horses and cobs
are a mixture of
Sport Horse, Irish
Draught and Irish
Cobs.
-
Our ponies are a
mixture of Connemara
and Irish pony.
A Typical Day:
The main
reasons people come are to horse ride, relax,
and enjoy being looked after, so here is what
you would be doing on a typical day of your
equestrian holiday with us.
Breakfast - 9.00am
During this meal Vanessa will discuss the day's
activities with you, which horse you wish to
ride and what discipline you want for your
lessons.
10.00-10.30am
Out to the yard to discover which stable your
horse is in, get your tack, brushes, etc. and
prepare your mount for the 11.00am ride. There
is always help available if you have problems,
so don't be afraid to say you are having
difficulty with getting your horse ready, or are
unsure of what you are doing.
11.00am
Lesson in the indoor or outdoor arenas depending
on the weather.
12.45am
Lunch back in the house and a well earned rest
after the morning's activities. Lunch is a light
meal, usually quiche, toasted sandwiches, or
maybe homemade soup and brown bread.
2.00-2.30pm
Back to the yard for more brushing and tacking
up. The ride out is at 2.30pm, when all leave
for the fields, for schooling over the huge
variety of cross-country fences, or just a good
amble around the farm for the more casual rider.
We try not to put anyone under undue pressure,
so do what you are comfortable with, and leave
the large fences to those who wish to take them
on.
4.30pm
Horses are untacked and put away for a rest,
leaving you time to relax before your evening
meal, walk the farm walks, take a trip to
Tullamore town, only 6 minutes away by car, or
just sit back and read a book from the large
selection available in the house.
6.30pm-7.00pm
Dinner is served in the dining room, when all
sit around and chat about the day's happenings,
what War Paint did, or what Dougal didn't do!.
Evenings usually end early, as everyone is tired
and ready for a good night's sleep, in
preparation for another challenging day
tomorrow!.
This center is also a great for non-riders.
Hiking: There are numerous routes through the magnificent Slieve
Bloom Mountains for the walking enthusiast, from the gentle river walk at
Cadamstown, to the strenuous climb at the cut. Clara Bog offers the
naturalist a wealth of information during the two and half hour guided
tour over the eskers and through the bog, giving a glimpse of times past,
which have helped shape the present.
Biking: Armed with a packed lunch and detailed cycling route, the
cyclist can pedal his way around the quiet country lanes, enjoying a
wealth of wild flowers and birds abounding in our hedgerows. The serene
route along the Grand Canal will then lead you through the rural townlands
to Locke's Distillery, Kilbeggan and another trip into our past....
Golfing - There are 7 of different golf courses in the area.
Sightseeing: Due to its central location many of the top
sightseeing destinations of Ireland are easily reachable by rental car.
- the magnificent ruins of Clonmacnoise
- Birr Castle, with its world famous gardens and telescope is only a half
hour drive
- An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum
- The Irish National Stud in Kildare
Fishing: is the ideal location for
those members of your family who wish to do
some fishing. The Grand Canal is only a few
kilometers away for those interested in Coarse
and Pike fishing. There is no licence or permit
required to fish the Canals |
view video
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Day Trips from the center:
This riding center is very suitably
located for taking Day Trips
around the Midlands - we are
situated approximately half way
between Dublin and Galway, (two
hours in either direction) so for
anyone wishing to see a little bit
more of Ireland this is your
opportunity.
The following are just some places
within easy reach of the center:
Clonmacnoise:
Situated on the banks of the
River Shannon, Ireland's
longest river, Clonmacnoise
is an old monastic site
steeped in the history of
our past, going back to
early Christian times. There
is an excellent
interpretative centre and a
visit to this
internationally renowned
site is imperative to a well
rounded visit to Ireland.
(see Heritage of Ireland
website ...) |
Birr
Castle:
 Birr
Castle is well known for
having the world's largest
telescope - owned by Lord
Ross, the estate is open to
the public. Apart from the
endless information
available in the museum, the
grounds are very beautiful ,
a trip not to be missed.
(see Birr Castle website...)
Birr town is also well
worth having a walk around.
The buildings are very old
and gracious, telling tales
of a time past, when the
ascendancy reigned. |
The
National Stud:
 Based
in Tully Co. Kildare, the Irish
National Stud is a must for the
horse enthusiast. Here the
government own a fine collection of
our best racing stallions. Every
year in the spring, the paddocks are
full of mares and foals, some of
whom go on to become the future
stars of the racing world.
The stud is also home to the
Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra's
garden, both well worth visiting as
places to relax in and enjoy.
(see the Irish Nation Stud website
...)
Berney's Saddlery:
 Not
far from the National Stud,
is one of Ireland's best
known tack shops - Berney's
have been in business since
time began, which you will
appreciate when you visit
their premises in Kilcullen,
The shop is bursting at the
seams with everything "horsey",
and they are known
throughout the world for
their " Berney Saddles"
which are made on the
premises. The quality of
their work is second to
none, and we regularly have
clients who take a saddle
home with them.
(see Berney's website ...)
|
 Galway
City:
Two hours from Tullamore,
on the west coast, you will find the
age old city of Galway, known also
as the City of the Tribes. It is
steeped in Irish culture, with
theatres and street entertainment -
not to mention the shopping - a
great day out.
(see Galway City website ...)
 Dublin
City:
Again, only two
hours from the
center, Dublin is our
capital city, a bustling
thriving place, that has
become very cosmopolitan
over the past 10 years.
There are some very good
tours and a visit to Grafton
Street and St. Stephen's
Green are a must.
(see Dublin City website
...)
|
Kilkenny
City:
 More
a large town than a city, Kilkenny
is a place that you would enjoy
visiting - only an hour away, it is
full of history and crafts. The area
around is a haven for potters, glass
makers and jewellery A visit to the
Kilkenny Design Centre and Kilkenny
Castle opposite is a must.
(see Kilkenny City website ...)
|
Slieve Bloom Mountains:
 Only
20 minutes away are the
beautiful Slieve Bloom
Mountains where there are
miles of scenic walks for
those interested in the
quiet life. The villages of
Kinnitty and Clonaslee have
good pubs where a welcome
drink and sandwich are
available and of course a
chat with the locals!
(see Slieve Bloom Mountains
website ...)
|
Emo Court:
 Owned
by the state, this magnificent
Gandon building is situated in the
lovely village of Emo in Co. Laoise
and is open to the public. There are
miles of lovely walks, all on well
developed paths, so are very
suitable for anyone not able for
rough terrain, or for parents with
children in buggies. The woods and
gardens are wonderful in the spring
time - a most pleasant way to spend
a few hours.
(see Emo Court website ...)
|
Belvedere House:
 Belvedere
House Gardens and Park is a
magnificent parkland estate
on the shores of Lough Ennel
in the Irish Midlands. the
house, built originally as a
hunting and fishing lodge,
is set in the midst of 160
acres of parkland on the
lake shore. There are
extensive gardens, including
a highly regarded walled
garden. The well laid out
park is dotted by a number
of follies - the jealous
wall, gothic arch and an
octagonal gazebo.
(see Belvedere House website
...)
|
Locke's
Distillery:
 Established
in 1757 Locke's is the last
remaining example of a small pot
distillery in Ireland. The
distillery made Irish Malt Whiskey
for almost 200 years. Locke's
Distillery is now open as a museum
of Industrial Archaelogy showing how
whiskey was produced in times past.
Guided tours bring you through the
original distillery buildings.
Situated in Kilbeggan, this museum
is only a 25 munute drive from the
center.
(see Locke's Distillery website ...)
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