Transfer Option:

 
Saturday Riders arrive at Cwmfforest and get to know one another over dinner.
 
Sunday Riders are matched to their horses and get to put them through their paces on a local ride of about 10 miles around the valley, over a variety of terrain including some open mountain riding in the afternoon. Lunch is at a country inn, and dinner is back at the farm, before we turn in for an early night in preparation for the long journey ahead!
 
Monday We set off in the direction of the coast; 8 miles of rolling farming countryside is followed by 12 miles of fast, open moors – without doubt, a horseman's paradise. If all goes to plan, we have a couple of stops for refreshments at traditional inns, before reaching Builth Wells, where we stay in the traditional 16th Century Caer Beris Manor Hotel for the night.
 
Tuesday Staying west of the river Wye, we stop for lunch at a 13th Century inn, The Red Lion, in Llanafan before continuing over the hills to Rhayader. We overnight at the very comfortable Brynafon Country House Hotel.

Wednesday Today sees us cross the 'Lakeland of Wales', a fast ride following the scenic Elan Valley for 15 miles, with a picnic lunch, and a final 5 miles through a pine forest. We stop at the friendly Bluebell Inn for the night.
 
Thursday Marathon day! 26 miles to the sea but first there is a mountain to negotiate with no trail to follow! We reach the sea in the early evening, and are rewarded for our efforts with a spectacularly fast gallop along the firm sand. After 4 days of riding hard, you and your horse will be glad of the lift home, and a memorable day is rounded off with dinner in the pub on the way back.
 
Friday After a leisurely breakfast, we tackle a trail high in the Black Mountains, returning to the farm for lunch. In the afternoon, guests are able to visit one of the nearby historic towns – Brecon, Crickhowell or Hay-on-Wye.
 
A note about skill level:  This is a rigorous trail suitable only for fit and experienced adult riders, and includes long periods of strenuous trotting and cantering. On occasions, riders must be prepared to dismount and lead their horses up steep hill paths. Please enquire for further details if you are unsure whether this ride is suitable for you!

Contradictory to its reputation, Wales has a fairly mild climate due to the proximity to the Gulf Stream, providing a pleasant temperature for riding.

The starting point is a lovely farmhouse that dates back to the 17^th century. Rooms are partially equipped with private washrooms, some have to share. Dining room with open fire place. There is a Jacuzzi at the farmhouse for you to ease off your well worked muscles in after a long days riding.  So don't forget your swimsuit!!

Meals at the base are Welsh, Bavarian and East African (where our host spent some time) cuisine. They have a superb reputation for some of the finest food to be found anywhere on a horse riding holiday in the UK.   Please notify us when booking if you are Vegetarian or Allergic to any food.  Meals along the way are abit more basic, but tasty.
Along the trail you will be accommodated in small country inns or farmhouses.  The lodgings are basic, but comfortable.

Single riders:  THere is no single supplement if you are willing to share. If uou prefer a room to yourself, a Single room can be requested and if available charged at GBP 20 per night.

** Drinks not included. Beer: ~£2/pint (0.5l) & Wine: ~£10/bottle

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Endurance saddles with saddle bags
Horses:		Welsh Cobs
Pace:		5-7 hours moderate with canters | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate+
Weight:		Max 180
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 12 riders

Horses: There is a herd of about 65 Welsh cobs and crosses, the majority of which have been bred here on the farm. Horses are selected for temperament and character. Size ranges from 14 to 16 hands. We breed and break our own replacement stock, and every year several youngsters join the riding stock. The horses are very reliable, friendly and sure-footed, guaranteed to give you an excellent ride.

Tack: Saddles are the very comfortable endurance type.

Skill level required: this is a rigorous trail suitable only for fit and experienced adult riders, and includes long periods of strenuous trotting and cantering. On occasions, riders must be prepared to dismount and lead their horses up steep hill paths.
All riders are encourage to build a relationship with their horse, and you get to catch, groom and tack up at the beginning of the day. The horses are beautiful, fine and fit Welsh Cobs who will surprise you with their sureness of foot and superb balance out on the trails. Compact, intelligent and strong, they are ideally suited to the hills and mountains that surround us. If you've never handled a horse from the ground before, you'll get a crash course in general horsemanship, from catching your horse, grooming them and tacking up. By the time you mount your horse, you'll be firm friends! Having ensured you are safely mounted and well suited to your equine partner, we head for the hills, where if required we can help you to improve your trail riding technique.

Your hosts:
Paul practically grew up on a horse, was leading rides from an early age, and took the business over from his dad, Michael, several years ago. He takes the majority of the rides throughout the summer on his darling, Blondie. Paul lives year round for the Team Chasing season, and is always on the lookout for a speedy Thoroughbred. When not trail riding you may find him breaking in young-stock, driving tractors, fixing fences or cleaning numnahs
Emily was a television producer in London before she met Paul, fell in love and moved to Wales. She is now kept busy looking after their two kids Nye and Nesta, and helping out at the farm in the office and around the house. Oh, and she met Paul while there on a weekend's riding break back in April 2007... So horses and love can co-exist!

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months.
Visa Note
(a) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements