It's the ideal time to plan your horsey holiday. Riding trips offer many benefits, from improving your riding skills and making new acquaintances, to developing fitness and challenging your own boundaries. Here are my top tips for your riding break - Be honest about your experience. If you exaggerate your level of riding skills, you may put yourself in danger. Get riding fit. Probably the biggest issue that riding holiday guests face is a lack of fitness appropriate to their trip. If you can find time, try and get in some general fitness work before you leave home. Pick a trip that meets your needs. Truly adventurous rides may actually be very slow, due to difficult terrain, while beach rides can be fast and furious. If this is your first riding holiday, a training centre-based break is probably the most sensible option, as there will be more focussed training. Pack sensibly. Focus on your riding wear. Your footwear should be water resistant and extremely comfortable. You should ideally take your own lightweight, riding helmet meeting safety regulations. Also, don’t forget several pairs of jodhpurs, riding gloves, polo shirts and a waterproof coat. For jumping, take a body protector meeting BETA standards. Castle Leslie Estate in Ireland has a horsey holiday package available tailored with you in mind. Castle Leslie Estate - voted as one of the Lonely Planet’s Top 10 equestrian destinations, worldwide - is one of Europe’s finest equestrian playgrounds, offering truly memorable horse riding holiday experiences. Castle Leslie Estate welcomes riders of all abilities and age groups. Here are some popular packages: • ‘Learn to ride in a week’ package. A five day holiday featuring three hours’ of daily lessons, culminating in a two hour ride around the estate. Dinner and breakfast included. • ‘Get Back Your Confidence’ package. This five day package includes three hours’ of daily lessons, culminating in a two hour ride around the estate - by the end of the break, you will feel ready to tackle your regular riding again with confidence! • ‘Horse sport’ package. For experienced riders wanting to expand their skills or try a new riding discipline. Three hours’ riding per day. Dinner and breakfast included. A variety of riding activities is available at the Estate, including a state-of-the-art mechanical horse (ideal for honing riding skills before mounting the real thing), and side saddle lessons in full, authentic riding habits. The Estate also offers falconry, clay pigeon shooting, kayaking, fishing, boating, hot air balloon rides, a health and beauty spa and walking trails, meaning non-riding partners and friends can enjoy a different activity while their loved ones take to the saddle. Meanwhile, the venue offers 64 gins from around the world in its 2 AA Rosette Award winning Snaffles Restaurant; the perfect way to unwind and share stories at the end of the day! So, check out Ireland’s Castle Leslie Estate – we offer a range of equestrian training breaks, ideal for dressage enthusiasts, as well as relaxing riding holidays. https://www.castleleslie.com/ https://www.castleleslie.com/equestrian-centre-welcome/ https://www.castleleslie.com/horses/