Feedback From Our Customers

Here is a selection of feedback that we have had from our customers to give you an idea of what it is to experience a horse riding in Wales with Wales on Horseback.

Dear Deborah,

Both Steph and I would like to thank you for organising such a fantastic riding holiday. Our expectations were exceeded many times over and both ourselves and our horses enjoyed a fun, relaxing break in a beautiful part of Wales. We could barely believe our eyes when we arrived at Barbara’s wonderful home, Eddie and Danny could barely believe their luck on seeing such large roomy stables and we were so grateful of Barbara’s warm welcome.

Although the weather was not in our favour on our first morning we left with great excitement and had a better afternoon. The views from the tops of the hills were just fab! Again our hosts for the second night were so kind and welcoming and both we and the boys enjoyed a restful nights ready for the next days riding. Our final day on the beach near Prestatyn was just awesome. Both horses headed straight into the sea without batting an eyelid and the canter down the beach was exhilarating and liberating. I don’t think any of us will forget that feeling in a long long time!

All the organisation was flawless and we didn’t get lost once thank to the detailed route instructions. I wouldn’t hesitate to encourage other people to do the same!

Thanks again,
Ellie and Eddie, Steph and Danny

The Hen Party - Gill Ruscoe, Angie Ruscoe, Sue Ruscoe, Lesley McKeown, Hayley Prescott and Ellie Derry.
Horses – Red, Barney, Rascal, Willow, Sam and Cooper.

Arrived Friday to a warm welcome, all horses extremely relaxed and Happy. Accommodation was far more than we expected and Barbara was so welcoming, nothing too much trouble. Had a fantastic 6 mile ride and despite being attacked by flies totally enjoyed every minute.

We went to the Farmers Arms for our tea, the food was beautiful and all staff was friendly. On Saturday we woke up to mist but set off for our 16 mile ride, at one point we couldn’t see more than 10ft in front of us. Had brilliant ride, managed to see fantastic views when the mist had cleared at Fron Hawl, All horses were extremely well behaved and two had even fallen in love! ( Willow and Sam!). Although slightly saddle sore we all managed to have a good natter and a laugh at the Farmers Arms again! Will definitely be coming back next year.

Thank you to Barbara and Ken for a wonderful time!

From Ellie, Lesley, Hayley, Angie, Gill and Sue

Diary of Our Holiday - Hannah and Romeo (see pic of Hannah and Romeo in the gallery - Mon 15 June 2009)

This is the first visit for us both – the first of many – what a fantastic holiday!

1st day:
After an hour’s drive here in sunshine it tipped down and thundered as soon as we arrived but after settling him down in a lovely stable and admiring the fantastic set up, and receiving a very warm welcome from Barbara, braved the weather and tried the 6 mile ride. Amazing views really set me up for the week, bar the fact I was soaked to the skin! Went to the Smithy for tea, met some really lovely people and had a lovely meal, then shared a Birthday cake with Romeo (as it was his Birthday). Had a lovely deep sleep in a very comfy bed ready for the 14.5 mile ride.

Tues 16th:
Enjoyed a delicious full English made by our lovely host then set off on the ride – after 5 hours of beautiful sunshine (burnt face and chest) beautiful scenery and a very sore bottom, returned to Pennant Uchaf for a scrub up (takes a lot) and off to the Plough for another delicious meal (blow the diet, I will start again next week lol!). Absolutely knackered but looking forward to my next ride.

Wed 17th:
What a day. Woke up to grey skies shortly accompanied by persistent rain, so we abandoned the ride on the mountain for one with not such amazing views. After yet another fantastic full English we braved the wet dressed like frogs in full waterproofs and started our ride to Trelogan, Mostyn, White, home (16 miles). An enjoyable ride with lots of quiet country lanes and bridleways. We had a few encounters with inquisitive calves which the horses weren’t too sure about, and negotiated quite a few gates. (We have defo improved at opening them without getting off!). Made a few accidental detours from the plan but nothing too drastic and managed it all in about 5½ hours. The highlight of my day was when passing a rubbish cart on a narrow lane – there was a verge and a very big ditch – so my friends found out. After being a bit of a wuss Solomon promptly slipped into the ditch leaving poor Linda in the ditch, up to her neck unable to escape. Thankfully the dustbin lorry driver stopped and pulled her out. Nobody was hurt (except me from my tummy from laughing so much). We popped into Rhyl and we found a hungry horse pub for some good old pub grub. Knackered again but looking forward to the mountains tomorrow. We are hoping there is truth in "Red sky at night”!

Thurs 18th:
Oh my God – what a ride!!! Just back after 7.25 hours and am shattered. Today we went through Sodom, Bodfari, Fron Haul. Absolutely amazing views on Fron Haul well worth the effort to get up there. We decided that we didn’t want to chance going back down the incredibly steep hill to Fron Haul so we made a slight detour through Aberwheeler and continued the plan. My map reading is fab now! We cut the ride slightly short as our bums no longer had any feeling and the horses were so hungry. Romeo decided to take a bite of my bum – I was not happy. We diverted through Pant Glas where we came across a load of sheep loose on the road. As we progressed along our route so did they. With a car behind we organized for her to speak to the farmers to which they belonged and after dismounting and leaving Romeo in Linda’s capable hands, I legged it off after the sheep. I somehow managed to overtake a few – nearly on death’s door I may add – and got in front of the rest as a man stopped in his 4 x 4. After a brief explanation (Help!!) I managed to herd them back down the lane and he progressed to the top of the hill where he opened the gate and blocked the road. Mine and Linda’s skills were put to the test as we herded the sheep back up the hill – "When in Wales” .. The most lovely thing about Rhuallt is the friendly helpful community. It really is a lovely place, where neighbours are your friends. I have already told my fiancé we are packing up and moving here.

We are off to the beach tomorrow, then regrettably going back to sunny Winsford to work for a rest! So all that remains for me to say is a massive thankyou to Wales on Horseback from Romeo, Linda and Sol, and Barbara, Ken and Becky for a truly fantastic holiday - thanks for being so friendly and helpful. I wish you all the best and providing I am not ‘sprogged’ up next year, I will be back! Thanks again for everything.

Love Hannah and Romeo, Winsford

Dear Deborah,

We have dried out!!! Just wanted to say a Big Thank You!! Because of the support yourself, the hosts and Barbara gave us throughout our holiday the rain did not dampen our spirits or affect our hols. We are so appreciative of the flexibility you showed us in rearranging routes to allow the horses to have stabling over night, giving us options of pick ups if the rain became too bad and even options to abandon riding to go shopping!!

The hosts were excellent; the liveries at Olwens were kind enough to let us use their stables for the horses to dry out after a night munching the very lush Welsh grass!! Barbara lent us fleece rugs, stables etc to dry the horses at the end of our final days riding before being picked up!! People could not have done more for us!! We enjoyed it that much, we are just arranging days off work to come back in August!! (please be sunny!!) The riding was so exhilarating, my lasting memory will be cantering over the open sheep moorland on day 3, the horses side by side (not racing) just bounding, ears pricked forwards loving it as much as us!! So see you in August!! Thanks again

Diane, Angela, Mariah and Liv. - Hillforts and Drovers Route

Dear Deborah,

I write to thank you and your team for a wonderful holiday. Due in no small amount to your excellent preparation a diverse selection of riders enjoyed four days of wonderful hospitality, scenery, riding and Welsh warmth. You even managed to fix the weather! Your planning was effective and swung into action when we needed the services of the farrier on the first day and I am pleased to report that no further assistance was needed.Our party consisted of a 55 year old nervous lady on a nervous Arab through an experienced 40 year old on her ex masters exocet hunter, my 7 year old daughter on her new pony to myself, a 43 year old who has been riding for 16 months.

We intend to book a repeat event later in the year and I will be writing to all the hosts individually. Please do not hesitate to use any of the above as testimony and I am happy to provide further information for anyone who is undecided. I will return your feedback under seperate cover, hopefully in time for your meeting. I am convinced that Wales on Horseback has a healthy long term future and will benefit from your proactive approach to the community.

With best regards
Paul L, K Jane and Jessica Rendle-Barnes

Just a quick note to say thanks for a fantastic holiday. We had a great time. Everyone was wonderful and really helpful. The scenery and riding was brilliant. I cannot praise the accommodation enough. Jean & Paul were very friendly and helpful. The annex was stunning. Everything was very homely, clean and comforting. It felt like a proper little home and we were very sad to leave. The horses had a great paddock and enjoyed it (although they were exhausted at the end from all the work and excitement). Please also thank Barbara who was very welcoming and went to great lengths to make sure we were ok and allowed us to change our plans on the last day. We will definitely be back!

Kirstie

Dear Barabara and Ken,

Just a little note to say a big "thank you" for making our first equine holiday so relaxing and enjoyable. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your lovely home and you made us feel so very welcome and comfortable. Thanks again- and perhaps we can visit again soon.

Hitchcott family

(posted/updated 02/04/2010)