One Hour Mountain Ride - Cnoc an Chairn

Our one hour mountain trek goes up and over the hill behind the stables, giving spectacular views of Dingle, the harbour and beyond. On a clear day you can see Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Skellig Michael. This ride is suitable for beginners, the horses are surefooted and reliable. For experienced riders there are places for trots and canters and the group may be split if there are mixed abilities.

Two Hour Mountain and Beach - Dingle Beach

Our two hour ride is a good option for experienced riders who don't have time for a half or full day ride. The first hour follows the same route as the one hour on the mountain above Dingle. The second hour rides down through the town and onto the beach by the mouth of Dingle Harbour. Fungie is often spotted as we make our way along the sand towards Hussey's Folly Tower, although on the way back we may be going too fast for wildlife watching! These rides usually leave the stables at 11am, and are tide dependent. If the tide is high we have an alternative route for the second hour, which has a place to canter and fords the river at Milltown before returning to the stables. For mixed ability groups it is good to ride together for the first hour, before the experienced riders can enjoy an increase of pace for the second hour whilst those less experienced can return to the stables and recover their legs.

Inch

The Connor Pass

Coming down on the northern side of the peninsula.

Meg, Fushia, Ranji and Blasket

Cookie

Cookie was born at the stables in May 2008. Shown in the photo above (with mum Liath) when she was a day old, so she is a little bigger now!

Cookie with Ranji

Half Day Ride - Ventry

Our half day ride is 3 hours long and for experienced riders only. The ride leaves the stables and goes down to the stony beach at Burnham. It then follows the back roads to reach the huge sandy beach of Ventry. On the way home we cross the hills at Cathairbosine, giving great views of Ventry Harbour behind us and Dingle harbour to the front.

Dingle Beach

Elaine Waters

I first came to Dingle Horse Riding on holiday in 2000, and fell in love with Dingle, the horses and the scenery. I returned every year until I (finally) got the job.
I have lived and worked at the stables since May 2008, and am now the main trail guide as well as a qualified bridle and harness maker. http://www.uiscesaddlery.blogspot.com/
In my spare time I take Skye to the beach, make bridles and write blog posts. I hate tomatoes.

Christmas Ride!

Despite some pretty scary weather we've been having here, the day of the Christmas Ride was actually fairly good and we managed to get out on the mountain and down into town. Ho ho ho!

Some Winter Photos

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Even Annie the Norwegian Fjord is finding this weather a little chilly.

Upcoming Riding Club Events

Here are a few dates for the diary. Anyone interested in taking part in any of these events, please give Katy a call on 066 915 2199. Horses are available, or you are more than welcome to bring your own.

15th November - mountain ride - a one and a half hour hack around Cnoc an Chairn above the stables and looking down on Dingle Harbour.

27th November - social event - in the evening, probably at the Blue Zone in Dingle.

29th November - club ride - to the beach at Burnham and surrounding area.

5th/6th December - Natural Horsemanship Clinic with Sean Fitzgibbon.

18th December - Christmas Party

20th December - Christmas Ride - to Dingle Beach, fancy dress encouraged. Fungie may also attend this event.

1st January - New Year's Ride.

Heather, Ivy and Jack

A few photo's of Heather, Ivy and Jack, three great old horses who, after many years of living and working at Dingle Horse Riding, are now enjoying their well earned retirement in a green grassy field near Cork. Thanks to Denise, Sinead and Muireann who are giving them all the love and carrots they deserve, which is lots.

The Connor Pass in Sunshine

Dingle Horse Riding tonight.

Start of Sept - End of an Era

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

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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.