As featured in Horse and Hound
	The Riding

Our riding holidays are centred in and around the spectacular countryside of the Dordogne in south-western France, near the town of Bergerac, and we think they are the best rides in France!

From the moment you leave the stables (in the grounds of the beautiful manor where you will be staying) you will be riding through thousands of hectares of the region's most beautiful private estates.

Following trails which take you through a countryside of thick forests, hidden valleys, vineyards and meadows, you will soon be convinced that you are the 'duc' or 'duchesse' of all you survey; and to prove it, you'll come across no other horses or riders, and hardly a gate to open all day long.

We have taken great care to plan the rides - different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters, as well as lazy relaxing walks, when you'll have time to share your experiences with your guide and companions. (Please note that we are trying to keep riding on tarmac to a minimum, although there is some on quiet country lanes.)

Each ride allows for approximately 3 hours riding in the morning and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon, and as one would expect in France, one of the highlights of each day's ride is lunch!

Around 12.30 we stop for an hour or so, to rest the horses and enjoy a marvellous picnic lunch, which is served in the grounds of, or inside, the private chateau whose land we are riding through. Lunch will have been freshly prepared by our own chef, Bernadette, and will typically consist of various country salads, regional delicacies (including foie gras), locally baked bread, fresh fruit, and of course the best local Bergerac wines.

We encourage any non-riders in the party to join us for the lunchtime feast, so that they too can experience the chateau lifestyle and catch up with news of the morning's adventures!

After lunch and a well-earned rest, both horses and riders are relaxed and ready to continue on the day's ride.

(We obviously try to ensure that rides do not double back on themselves, however in some instances this is unavoidable.)

A typical one week holiday will consist of 5 full days riding and 1 rest day for the horses. We also do shorter stays of 3 and 4 nights which include 3 and 4 days riding

With between 4 and 6 hours spent in the saddle each day, riding across varied terrain, riders need to be reasonably fit and competent, and confident at walk, trot and canter in open country. We try our best to match riders of similar ability, so please be honest in filling out the application form, as less experienced riders may hold others back and not get the most from their horse or the rides.

We regret that we cannot accept absolute beginners or any riders under 12 years old, and we normally impose a weight limit of around 96kg (210lbs or 15 stone). This is because we are keen to make this the best riding holiday of their life for everyone who comes.

We are convinced that if our horses could talk they would agree with us that they live a charmed life. Their home is a recently converted 18th century barn. There are 11 spacious loose -boxes, with deep straw beds and open bars in between so they can see and talk to each other. They also spend a great deal of time grazing in the paddocks behind the house and paddling in the lake.

Although they can't tell you, we can assure you all our horses are happy, fit, and strong. They are well motivated, well schooled and well behaved, and extremely well loved.

They are mainly a mixture of saddle horses and arab crosses, specialised in trekking, with pretty calm temperaments, but very reliable and not easily spooked. We can assure you they are definitely not 'nose-to-tail' trekking types. The saddles are specialised trekking saddles ( Forestier, Gaston- Mercier etc) and are very comfortable.

We select the horses from a wide range according to the experience and ability of the riders, which is why it is important to complete the booking questionnaire as fully and honestly as possible.

It is as important to us as it is to you that you and your horse are well suited and will get on well from the start. (On the first day we insist all riders must try out their horse in the paddock behind the house before setting off on the ride)

Casual riding wear is recommended but as you could be riding for up to six hours a day it should be comfortable. We suggest you bring