A Vermont Equestrian Vacation at The Mountain Top Resort
August 18, 2014 by Caroline Maffry Mother and daughter equestrians enjoy a summertime horseback riding vacation in Vermont's Green Mountains. Known as a premiere four-season destination, The Mountain Top Inn & Resort is nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains and surrounded by breathtaking views of the nearby peaks just beyond the Chittenden Reservoir. This is the quintessential New England vacation for all seasons! I decided to see what they
Five Equine Themed Activities to Explore at Salamander Resort & Spa
May 30, 2014 by Caroline Maffry From yoga on horseback to carriage rides through Middleburg, check out fun equine themed activities (requiring no equestrian experience) for horse lovers visiting Salamander Resort & Spa. Heading to Middleburg, Virginia anytime soon? After reading all there is to offer at Salamander Resort & Spa, you’ll wish you were. Best of all, you can! Neatly tucked into the Virginia
Insider’s Tour with Farm to Table Dining at Salamander Resort
December 10, 2013 By Caroline Maffry An in depth to learn more about Salamander Resort, including an insider’s tour, room service and dining at Harrimon’s Grill. To understand and appreciate how Salamander was transformed from an idea into a luxury destination, we were able to sit down with General Manager, Trey Matheu for a conversation about the journey. He invited us into the library where we sat
Visiting Salamander Resort & Spa in Virginia Hunt Country
December 10, 2013 by Caroline Maffry A mother and daughter equestrian pair spend the weekend at a luxury Virginia Hunt Country retreat, enjoying horseback riding and the Spa. As we made our way to the main entrance, we were welcomed by smiling faces and staff outfitted in equestrian attire–– a lovely touch that most would not necessarily notice, but to us equestrians, it was appreciated.
A Luxury Equestrian Vacation at Salamander Resort & Spa, Virginia
December 10, 2013 by Caroline Maffry An equestrian escape to Virginia Hunt Country: Salamander's Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia Virginia Hunt Country has a new luxury resort located in an oasis-like setting in the historic village of Middleburg. The Salamander Resort and Spa is the place for every equestrian enthusiast, equipped with a state of the art spa, and amenities equal to some of the best
A Few Favorite Marguerite Henry Stories
The books that inspired horse lovers all around the world learn to ride, may help you remember the equine tales you loved too. Many of us horse lovers had our first equine experiences in our imaginations, thanks to the power of books that transported us across miles and placed us right in the heart of thrilling moments. As horse-crazy kids, we devoured every
Vermont Horse Riding & Winter Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
January 17, 2013 by Caroline Maffry The sleigh bells at Gentle Giants Sleigh Rides in Stowe, Vermont. If you grew up watching Irvin Berlin's 1954 classic, White Christmas, then you appreciate what I envisioned when a wedding invitation arrived for a winter wedding near Stowe, Vermont. I have traveled all over the world but I had yet to visit Vermont, New England’s winter playground, so I was most excited. I'd only
Try Something New: Take a Polo Lesson!
Mother and daughter equestrians try an afternoon polo lesson with top US polo player John Gobin. July 31, 2012 by Caroline Maffry Mother and daughter try polo! Looking for something different from your typical day in the saddle? Don’t have time for an equestrian vacation? Are you a skilled rider or horse enthusiast? If you have answered yes to these questions, its time to test your riding
Horseback Riding in France – Giving the Mont Back to the Sea – Part 5
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry Learn about the planned pedestrian bridge and future of horseback riding to Mont St. Michel Today the French government is in the process of removing the land bridge that connects Mont St. Michel to the main land, freeing the Mont of the stranglehold of the surrounding salt marshes. The project in place would when finished, give Mont St. Michel
Great French Cuisine – A Traveler’s Culinary Tour of Northern France
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry Wonderful Foods from France: Paris, Marly-le-Roi, Normandy and Mont St. Michel There are endless reasons to travel to France, from culture to history and horses. Most equestrian and travel enthusiasts like myself would love nothing more than to set out on a horseback riding vacation and travel the world, no matter the destination. For me, however, there's one reason
Horseback Riding in France – Visiting Mont St. Michel – Part 4
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry Visiting Mont St. Michel In order to witness the highest tide of the year come in around the Mont that evening, our hosts, the Jouvins, insisted that we stay an extra night, allowing us to the opportunity to experience this rare tide, and also enjoy dinner together in Mont St. Michel. We freshened up from our six hours in the saddle
Horseback Riding in France – A Foal from Haras les Pins, a Norman Stud Farm – Part 3
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry A Meeting with a Foal from Haras les Pins After a fascinating and full day of riding, we returned with the two horses to the farm, as Catherine waited by the bay with Chloe for a second trip. As we approached the paddocks with the trailer, Jean-Pierre pulled over and asked us to help him turn the horse out
Horseback Riding in France – Riding the Bay of Mont St. Michel – Part 2
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry Riding the Bay of Mont St. Michel Jean-Pierre returned and loaded the trailer with a pony named Chloe, which my daughter Alexis Mozeleski was to ride, and we were off to rendez-vous with Catherine and the two horses she had left with earlier that morning. As we would only have one day to ride the Bay of Mont-St-Michel, we were trailering the
Horseback Riding in France – A Mother / Daughter Weekend at a Working Normandy Horse Farm – Part 1
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry Adventures Horseback Riding in France in This Five Part Series on Normandy Just a few hours from Paris by train, my teenaged daughter Alexis Mozeleski and I were met at the train station in Avranches by Annette Jouvin. We drove about 15 minutes to their 200-year-old farmhouse where we would stay for the weekend to ride the Bay of Mont-St-Michel.
Visiting the Academy of Equestrian Art in Versailles
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry The Académie du Spectacle Equestre in Versailles - Where Horses Receive the Royal Treatment After spending the morning on horseback galloping through the gardens of the Château of Versailles, my day in search of royal horse experiences would not have been complete without a visit to the Academy of Equestrian Arts or the Académie du Spectacle Equestre Manège de la Grande
A “Royal” Equestrian Experience and Riding Adventure at Versailles
April 26, 2011 A “Royal” Equestrian Experience and Riding Adventure at Versailles By Caroline Maffry On a recent trip to visit family in France, I found opportunity to discover what Versailles has to offer an enthusiastic horse lover. Having lived in France for many years as a school girl, I had visited the Chateau of Versailles on countless occasions, and I was familiar with the
Royal Attractions near Versailles- Royal Grounds Parallel Washington D.C.’s Landscapes
April 26, 2011 by Caroline Maffry A King’s Hunting Lodge: Marly-le-Roi Pavilion Royal Not far from Versailles is the town of Marly-le Roi where I stayed with my family. While spending time in Marly, I visited Le Pavillion Royal du Chateau de Marly. One of many royal retreats of King Louis IV from Versailles, the King would use this Chateau and its surrounding cottages to invite close friends
The History of the Marsh Tacky
By Caroline Maffry February 25, 2010 Photos © Dwain Snyder at www.EquestrianImages.us In 1846 naturalist John James Audubon wrote that the Marsh Tacky is as “tough as a Pine knot.” Indigenous to the marshy coastal islands in the low land or Lowcountry region of South Carolina, these living legends of Colonial Spanish decent have survived over the last 500 years by adapting to the environment. With
The Hardy Quarter Horses of Namibia: A Unique Breed Profile
Discover the fusion of the American West and Southern Africa at Ranch Koiimasis. Learn about the Hardy Quarter Horse. Introduction The American Quarter Horse is renowned for its versatility, intelligence, and even temperament, symbolizing the American West's rugged spirit. Equestrians journey to Namibia to unveil the Hardy Quarter Horse, a breed that marries the Wild West's essence with Southern Namibia's rugged terrain. This article
Ultimate Equestrian Escapes: Dreamy Horseback Riding Vacations
Introduction to Some of the Best Horseback Riding Vacations Are you looking for the best horseback riding vacations around the world? We've curated a list of bucket list destinations that will inspire your next adventure. From the vast landscapes of Wyoming to the stunning lava fields of Iceland, these riding vacations promise unforgettable experiences. Explore these top picks and start planning your dream
Conserving Land for Horseback Riding Use: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction In a rapidly urbanizing world, preserving equine lands has become a critical issue. With the pressures of development, horse trails, boarding facilities, and hayfields face the threat of disappearing. The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) stands at the forefront of this issue, working tirelessly to protect and preserve equestrian lands for future generations. Importance of Equine Lands The United States boasts a rich equestrian