Giddy’up, Bon Voyage

My colleagues sometimes ask about my commitment to overseas riding holidays. Why would someone who rides horses all day travel overseas to do more of the same? Why not go sit on a beach in Cancun and sip fruity beverages? Let me answer that, but first I should confess that as I write this, the buttery evening light slants across the trellised hillsides of a classical riding school in Tuscany wrapping up a good day in the saddle.  

Since first leading students to Portugal 15 years ago — and then subsequent travels to Brazil, Germany, Holland, Hawaii, and Italy — before developing my own riding retreat here in California, I have encouraged equestrians of all levels to adopt the habit of educational holidays as their budget will allow. Here are my top reasons why anyone who loves to ride should consider taking that love on vacation.

First of all, by taking yourself far away from your ordinary routines, you are able to immerse yourself fully over a focused period of time without the distractions of daily life. You are able to get on a nice horse and just ride and enjoy it. This is the most efficient way to learn new skills deeply or shed nagging habits.