Freerein Riding HolidaysBlogArchivedStaff 8 Day Trail Ride 2009, FreeRein HQ – Preseli Hills (Part 1 – Intoduction)

Staff 8 Day Trail Ride 2009, FreeRein HQ – Preseli Hills (Part 1 – Intoduction)

January 11, 2010/Matt Williams/

From the 2nd to the 10th November 2009 we rode from FreeRein HQ in Clyro near Hay-on-Wye to Newport, Pembrokeshire. The journey was 8 days travelling and camping in the tipi each night, a total distance of some 130 miles. We carried everything we needed with us except horse feed which we pre-positioned at our arranged overnight campsites. We also placed at some of these feed drops extra gas bottles for our lights and stoves, dry wood chopped to the correct size for the woodburning stove and emergency port rations.

 

Pack saddle trip setting out

Setting out from Freerein HQ

 

Our total team consisted of 6 riders and 9 horses (6 ridden, 2 pack ponies and 1 spare). The riders were Matt, Beth, Tomas, Kate, Dan & Tom. The horses were Archie, Poppy, Shadow, Arthwr, Tommy, Lucky, Minstrel, Midge & Mercury. The purpose of the trail ride was to:

  • explore new routes
  • have fun at the end of the season
  • see the feasability of adding trail rides using the tipi and pack ponies to our trails
  • test ourselves on a camping and riding trip in Wales in November! 
    Riders setting out on trail

    Riders out on trail for 8 days

     

Matt Williams