Dingle Horse Riding

Hi everyone! Well that is a summer on the blog. Got a few pics up here so far but I am still working on getting everyone on, horses and people. We have had some stunning weeks in Dingle this year, and also a few wet ones. It is raining at the moment, hard, so to Jo, Debbie and Cari who had a great week last week, please come back and bring the sun with you, and to Dierdre, Brandy and Brian from a couple of weeks ago, it did stop raining in between, honest. News from this week includes the retirement from the stables of Ivy, Heather and Jack. There were a few tears in the yard as they left on Sunday, we were sad to see them go after many years of working here at Dingle Horse Riding. There was also happiness though as they go to their new home near Cork, where they are going to be spoilt rotten by three lucky girls who know what every horse needs, pats and carrots. The best thing is they went together, a few of you who met them will remember that Ivy and Heather were inseperable. It will be interesting to see who fills their shoes in the herd, since Ivy has been the matriarch for many years, and Heather and Jack were also strong characters in the hierarchy. Photos to follow of them relaxing in their new home.

Full Day Rides - Ventry

Cathairbosine.

The full day to Ventry starts out from the stables and takes us along the stony beach of Burnham at the western end of the harbour. We then follow part of the Pilgrim's Route over the hills at Cathairbosine and down to Ventry Harbour for a gallop on the beach. A stop for lunch at Paudie O Se's Pub is followed by the ride home, crossing the hills above Smerwick harbour and fording Milltown River.

Winner of the RDS Leatherwork Category 2009

Dingle Horse Riding is happy to announce we had a winner at the Royal Dublin Show this year! Elaine Waters, a guide at the stables as well as a bridle-maker, won the leatherwork category of the National Craft Competition 2009. Her hand-stitched dog harness is now on exhibition at the R.D.S. and will be travelling around the country later in the year.

2 day ride - Ventry and Murieoch

Tying together the Ventry and Murieoch rides, we start out from the stables and along the stony beach of Burnham at the western end of Dingle harbour. We then follow part of the Pilgrim's Route over the hills at Cathairbosine and down to Ventry Harbour for a gallop on the beach. A stop for lunch at Paudie O Se's Pub is followed by the afternoon's ride along the beach to Cuan, through bohareens around the western end of Ventry and then across the hills above Smerwick harbour and the Three Sisters, passing the ruined castle at Rahinnane.

The horses stay the night in our field near to Kilmalkadur, whilst guests return to Dingle.

On the second day we ride down to the beach at Murieoch, and then on to Beal Ban beach. We ride in the shadow of the Three Sisters around to Ballyferriter village, where we stop for lunch. The ride home takes us back along the beach at Murieoch, with the option to stop at An Riasc (an ancient monastic site) and the Gallarus Oratory (a 12th Century church) before we cross over the hills back to Dingle, fording the river at Milltown.

Michelle and Jesabelle

Many of you will know Michelle if you have been on one of our post to post rides. Here she is riding Jesabelle, her own horse, at the West Kerry Agricultural Show. So she does have jodphurs (actually...they're mine).

Galloping on Inch

Sunset on the School

Full Day Rides - Murieoch

Paddling in the sea in Smerwick Harbour.

The ride to Murieoch is a full day which sets out from the stables, fording the river at Milltown before climbing over the hills towards Smerwick Harbour. There is the option of stopping for a look at the Gallarus Oratory (a 12th Century church) as we pass on the way down to the beach at Wine Strand.

Spirit and Sophie

Spirit and Sophie on their way to the West Kerry Agricultural Show in Dingle. Spirit can be a cheeky little chap but he gets away with it since he is sooo cute.

Flying on the beach.

Rosie tries surfing.

June 28th Showjumping Competition

Despite a wet start to the day, Dingle Horse Riding's first showjumping competition was a resounding success. The weather cleared up in time for a fine afternoon of jumping. Well done to all those who took part, and a big thank you to everyone who helped out beforehand, on the day, or just turned up to watch and enjoy the barbeque. Watch this space for details of upcoming events.

Ten thousand acres

Riding on Inch Strand on the third of the 'away' days.

Making waves

Inch

Surfing on Inch Beach

Hoofprints

3 day post to post - Connor Pass, Castlegrogory and Inch.

Many riders combine the 3 day post to post with the Ventry, Murieoch and Dingle Beach rides to make a 6 day riding holiday, of which two nights are spent away (one in Cloghane and one in Camp village), and the other nights are in Dingle town. These rides take in the best of the scenery and beaches that the Dingle Peninsula has to offer. These rides are for experienced riders only.

The Connor Pass Ride is the first day of the 3 'away' days during the post to post riding holiday.The ride leaves the stables in the morning and follows the Pilgrim's Route across the mountains to the east of Brandon Peek, finishing for the night in the village of Cloghane wear guests stay in O'Connor's Guesthouse. In good weather the views from the Connor Pass are impressive to say the least. The terrain is challenging, at the highest point we cross the pass at 400m, but the horses are sure-footed, and don't worry I won't make you take it in turns to open the numerous gates, that's my job!

The second day sets out from Cloghane, following the road as far as the beach at Fermoyle. This is the ride that covers the most distance, with many miles of unbroken beach to Castlegregory, where we stop for lunch at Ned Natterjacks, followed by more beach riding in the afternoon as we make our way to Camp, where riders will spend the night at Finglas House, with their evening meal provided at Ashe's Bar.

The third day leaves Camp village and follows the bog road through Glen na Geaillt, the Valley of the Mad, coming down onto the famous beach at Inch. After lunch at Sammy's on the beach we continue along the high road with magnificent views across Dingle Bay. This ride finishes in Annascaul from where the horses return to Dingle by horse box.

And over

On the way to Murieoch

Up

Ventry

Showjumping and BBQ on 28th June

Dingle Horse Riding will be holding a show jumping competition on Sunday 28th of June. There will be classes for all ages and abilities beginning at 2pm and running throughout the afternoon. This will be followed by a barbeque. Everyone is welcome, riders and non-riders. Some horses/ponies will be available for hire, or feel free to bring your own! For further information please ring and speak to Katy on 066 915 2199.

Congratulations Michelle and Liam!

Dingle Horse Riding is happy to announce the marriage on 6th June 2009 of Michelle Leahy and Liam Long. Many of you will know Michelle as your guide from the post to post riding holiday. The day was a beautiful one, and so was the bride, having topped up on her tan the week before whilst on the year's first post to post. Michelle and Liam are now back from their honeymoon in Rome, and we would like to wish them all our congratulaions and best wishes for the future.

First Post to Post

Well, the first post to post riding holiday of the year went without a hitch, apart from the Guiness versus tree branch incident on the final day. We were glad to welcome Sue and Tim for their first visit of the year as well. Thank you to them for everything, from taking Rosie on her first trip to Ventry to fixing, well..everything really. Thanks also to Tim for the photographs, which I will upload onto here soon. Other news includes the appearance of two new horses, Roxy and Monty, as well as Figaro (Michelle's horse) who will be staying with us for the summer. The busy season is in full swing here now, and with some fantastic weather in the last few weeks the riding couldn't be better.

The Gang!

Well, this is the gang, on the occasion of Katy's birthday when we all went on a ride to Ventry. From left to right, Elaine, Trudie, Katy, Roisin, Fiadh, Louise and Shonagh. On the ground, Olivia with the strange dog (not one of ours!) and Jessie (Shonagh's pony).

Our First Blog!!!

Hello, and welcome to the Dingle Horse Riding blogspot! Newly created, this year I hope to use this blogspot to help all our friends out there keep in touch with what is happening at the stables. So please, log on to stay updated with recent events, and to find out about any upcoming activities which you may be interested in joining.

Over the next few blogs I will introduce you to the members of the stables, human and equine, and the rest. Until then, thanks for looking, and stay in touch!

Best wishes.
Elaine

Dingle Horse Riding

The Connor Pass in Sunshine