The Confidence Hosted Ride was Enjoyed by All
The May Hosted Ride started with everyone arriving on Friday afternoon and settling their horses and themselves in for the evening. As dinner time approached we all loaded into a few cars to head off to the Village Green and Pavilion, not far from Hillcrest Homestead. It was a very enjoyable evening with tasty meals from a good selection on the menu. Pizza was the most popular. The pear, blue cheese & walnut pizza looked very enticing. We sat, talked, laughed and had a few glasses of wine/beer before heading back to the Clubhouse to enjoy some time in front of our open fires. On Saturday morning, we all enjoyed an egg & bacon breakfast before the first groundwork session began.
Defizzing the horses and relaxing the riders with some groundwork and obstacles were the first tasks for the morning. The morning passed quickly with much positive feedback buzzing around in the kitchen. New horses, absence from riding for a time, etc. meant that there were a few anxious riders amongst the group. The general feedback after the morning’s exercises was that the weekend was much better than anyone expected. A lot of planning goes into our Confidence Hosted Rides so it was great to hear that the morning had hit the target of relaxing some nervous riders before going out on the trails.
After lunch the riders had the choice of going out on a trail ride or staying back to do some more work in a safe contained environment. Both Groups had a good time. The group that stayed behind rode to the highest point on our property and enjoyed the expansive view, as can be seen in the photos below.
On Sunday morning everyone saddled up and set off for a trail ride to The Top of the World. Again the views were beautiful. The ride was gentle and at a good pace that all could enjoy.
Lunch awaited everyone on their return. All guests set off for home, feeling like they had an absolutely wonderful weekend. They all achieved some progress and learnt a little to help them on their way to trail riding confidently.
We enjoyed the weekend as much as our guests. The nicest people are attracted to our hosted rides, and probably trail riding in general. Everyone was caring and courteous to both humans and horses. We are thrilled that we can offer a pathway to trail riding for people returning to riding after many years, or for those who are venturing out of arenas and onto the tracks and roads. There is no better way to discover Australia’s beauty.
Gaining Confidence in Trail Riding
A calm rider will result in a better trail riding experience. Horses can sense and feel when a rider is nervous, and this can contribute to a horse being a bit fizzy. Groundwork and time preparing for a trail ride can make the trail riding adventure a little more enjoyable for both rider & horse. Our groundwork sessions help with settling both horse and rider. During these sessions we give tips about how to cope with situations that arise out on the trail.
Having the correct gear is a must too. A comfortable saddle and well fitting girth is a must for the comfort and enjoyment for both rider and horse. A well fitting bridle and a bit suited to the horse is essential too. A bitless bridle is ok if the rider is confident of having full control of the horse in any situation. Being able to move off a road quickly or prevent the horse from running into another will contribute to a rider’s calmness and will result in a better trail riding experience for all. A good pair of riding gloves can also make a difference to a day in the saddle. And while thinking about keeping hands comfortable we should think about the horse’s hooves. Make sure they are clean and picked out before and after the ride.
If a horse kicks occasionally, it is a good idea to put a red ribbon in the horse’s tail. A horse may not have kicked for a while, but every other rider deserves a warning about kicking history. A great trail riding experience can result from good preparation and minimisation of risk.
