Get in the saddle – horse riding on Exmoor

With its stunning and varied terrain, deep wooded combes, sparkling river valleys, meandering streams, open moorland and 482 kilometres of bridleways, you and your horse will have the time of your life.

Awaiting you on Exmoor is a vast array of horse holiday accommodation providers who welcome horses and riders with open arms, stables and paddocks.

You’ll find breathtaking scenery, comfortable cottages and farmhouses, home cooking that hits the right spot, reassuringly large and well-kitted-out boot rooms for gear and plenty of hot water after a day’s riding.

More often than not, the owners, or someone knowledgeable nearby, will be happy to accompany you on rides. Some will even take you further afield for a blast on the beach, a trip to a local competition centre, or a day’s racing.

If you can’t bring your own horse or you want to try riding for the first time, Burrowhayes Farm is a great place to start. Escorted rides are taken in the glorious Horner Valley and on the open moorland of Dunkery, Ley Hill and Selworthy. Small children’s ponies are available for parents to walk and lead. 01643 862 463

While you’re deciding which enticing trail to ride first, you can check out www.activeexmoor.com with listings of Exmoor providers with either stabling for your horse or quality riding schools to get you started.

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Katy, 11, to celebrate her birthday at the Golden Horseshoe Ride

Exmoor ponies break barriers at Golden Horseshoe Ride

Katy Mellor, from Asterton, Shropshire, has found a novel way of celebrating her twelfth birthday this year – riding the first 25 miles of a demanding, two-day, 50-mile endurance ride over Exmoor.

She will be riding her own pony Angelina Ginny, and competing in the Exmoor Experience class at the Golden Horseshoe Ride (May 16 – 18). The class is designedorseH to provide experience of two-day competitive rides over the tough Exmoor terrain and encourage riders to go on in subsequent years and try the famous 100-mile Golden Horseshoe class at the same meeting.

Katy, who broke her pony herself when the mare was only four and completely unhandled, will be accompanied by her mother, Sally, who in 2008 and 2009 took Silver and Gold awards respectively in the same class.

The Golden Horseshoe Ride, based at Exford in the heart of Exmoor, attracts riders from all over the UK and is classed as one of the toughest venues in Europe. Classes offer a test of mileage from 100 miles over two days, 50 miles over two days,  one of 50 and 25 miles on the second day and one of 50 miles in one day.

There is also a 15 miles training and sponsored ride, (in aid of  the Moorland Mousie Trust – a charity dedicated to welfare of the Exmoor ponies – and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance) and the Golden Horseshoe Run, in aid of leukaemia research, when up to 100 runners will take on 14 miles of the 100-mile course. They will start 30 minutes before riders in the first class.

Vet’s receptionist Mary Hannah, from Brompton Regis, and her Exmoor pony Kingsby Nutmeg – the first Exmoor to complete a competitive ride at the meeting – will be trying to better last year’s Bronze award in the Exmoor Experience class.

The pair may well have competition in coming years. Linzi Green, who works for the  Moorland Mousie Trust will be trying the training ride with a Trust pony she has “homed,” Knightencombe Firecrest (stable name Basil.)

“This is the first Trust pony to attempt endurance competitively,” Linzi says. She is aiming for the the Exmoor Experience class next year – “and perhaps the 100 in years to come.”

Early entries in the 100-mile Golden Horseshoe class demonstrate the challenge of Exmoor. Candy Cameron will be travelling from Scotland, Helen McFarland from Nothern Ireland and Val Cammock from Rutland. Local entries already in include David Yeoman from Somerset and Nikki Routledge from Bampton, Devon.

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