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Horseback Riding
Little Beaver Creek Ranch, British Columbia, CanadaOn-site owner and General Manager Alex Schütz is the most famous Swiss-born cowboy in North America - and he is a remarkable 'horse whisperer' too. There are 25 horses, and you can trek for hours in this glorious 200-acre Glimpse Lake wilderness, three and a half hours' drive north-east of Vancouver - a GPS stops you from getting lost. Our favorite of the seven hand-hewn pine suites is Loon Bay Master Suite, next to a private landing dock on the lake.Visit Property Site |   |
Riding in the San Juan Range of the Colorado Rockies is a magical experience. Art Woods, newly-arrived General Manager of the 12-cabin luxury ranch, can arrange horses for trekking on the 1,400-acre estate and further up peaks that soar to 14,000 ft. Afterwards, relax in the 103-degree natural hot springs, inside a dedicated bath cabin, out in the fresh air or, if you are in the Well House cabin, in a stone bath six feet from your bed. Mario's organic cuisine, in the original saloon that dates to 1895, is a great way to finish the day. Visit Property Site | |
Posada Salentein, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis 4,492-acre Uco Valley estate, once owned by Jesuits, now has 1,124 acres planted with Merlot and Pinot Noir - what a great way to feel invigorated, riding one of the estate's criollos through vineyards, with snow-capped Andes in the distance. The eight bedrooms are in two houses - choose Los Sarmientos, which has a big fireplace in the parlor. Enjoy the winery, and its Killka gallery, which has a special exhibition of art on children now showing. General Manager is Rafael Calderón. Visit Property Site | |
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Dinah Rose runs an onsite equestrian center with over 14 horses, including some splendid Shire horses. The estate, an hour from central London, is over 500 acres - but do not ride along the adjacent Basingstoke Canal as its towpath is rather narrow! The 133-room hotel is an expansion of the splendid brick mansion built in 1728 for the Mildmay family, and the spa is a conversion of stables that are even a hundred years older (the Olympic-sized pool is in a glass conservatory, connected to an outside vitality area). General Manager is Colin Clarke. Visit Property Site | |
Every horse lover, as well as those wanting to experience all the 'greats' in life, will at least once want to visit the twice-yearly Palio race, held in the city-center Piazza del Campo on July 2nd and August 16th. The hotel, built in the 17th century by Pope Alexander VII as a wedding present for his niece Olimpia Chigi, can arrange ringside seats in one of the medieval buildings overlooking the race. At any time, the concierges can also set up horseback riding for guests: their excursions are three hours, pick-up to return, and you ride in the Monteriggioni and Colle Val D'Elsa areas. Visit Property Site | |
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Moonlight Head Private Lodge, Yulong, Victoria, AustraliaRide to Cape Otway with local horseman Neil Henry, who will push you as hard as you want but no further. Mark Banning-Taylor commissioned Pritzker Prize winner Glenn Murcutt to design the four-room lodge, which will have a nearby boutique hotel opening soon. There are stunning views of the Cape, and of cliffs near the Twelve Apostles, spectacular rock stacks that rise up over 200 feet from the ocean. Bird-watchers also have the joy of over 160 species to view. Visit Property Site | |
Riding manager Heather Harrington takes you for various lengths of trek during the October-April summer period (you are introduced to your 'farm hack' mount, specially bred for surefootedness and endurance, by name, and your saddle has a small pommel, knee-holds and a deep seat for extra comfort). Some of the Lord of the Rings movie scenes were shot here, on the estate that was first settled in 1858: today the lodge, owned by General Manager Tom Butler, has ten rooms, with the premium being Riverview cottage for its views down the Cass River. Visit Property Site | |
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