Blog & Info

Blog & Info2023-09-19T12:48:00+10:00

“Ireland beach ride”

HAVE NEW ALWAYS WANTED TO RIDE IN IRELAND  The Clew Bay ride is a unique ride on the West Coast of Ireland and offers trail riding on quality Irish-bred horses.  This includes visits to historical sights, riding along stoned walled ancient roads, visits to quaint Irish villages meeting the locals, and riding on the beaches of the Atlantic Way. Ireland is known as “The Land of The Horse”. A temperate climate and good soil conditions [...]

The 12 Days of Christmas

The “12 Days of Christmas” is a classic, the story of a lover giving an increasingly bizarre set of Christmas gifts to his girlfriend, presumably intended to woo her, but almost certainly just irritating her. It never says what she does with the 10 lords a-leaping and 11 pipers piping and so on — no doubt stashed them in a cupboard somewhere so she could fob them off on a work colleague in next year’s Secret Santa. Anyway, [...]

In the Media – London International Horse Show

The London International Horse Show was a Christmas extravaganza 🎅and one of the most popular horse shows in the UK. I wanted to share my experience of attending the London International Horse Show in December 2022. Snaffle Travel was thrilled to bring some guests to the London International Horse Show and it was even more special as it snowed while we were there which added to the Christmas magic. London was so festive 🎅with the [...]

Combine Horses & Travel in Italy

Have you ever DREAMED of travelling to Italy!! Italy has so many amazing sights, ancient history, magnificence art, sumptuous food, wonderful wine and so much more.  Had you thought of combining this with a visit to an Equestrian event or combining this with a riding holiday? Snaffle Travel loves visiting Italy and we have discovered some amazing places you could visit to combine with your travel experience depending when you are visiting. Every year in [...]

A guide to visiting the Royal Windsor Show

Royal Windsor Show: A Premier Equestrian Show Experience the grandeur of the Royal Windsor Show, a prestigious annual event held every May amidst the majestic backdrop of Windsor Castle in Berkshire. This esteemed gathering opens the gates of Windsor Castle's private grounds to host the UK’s largest outdoor premier equestrian spectacle—the Royal Windsor Horse Show. What to Expect: The Royal Windsor Show offers a captivating array of world-class equestrian competitions and captivating displays, including: International [...]

In the Media – Burghley Horse Trials article for Equestrian Hub

I wanted to share my experience of attending the 5-star Burghley Horse Trials. I  was so thrilled to be finally travelling✈ internationally once again after two years of Covid lockdowns.  With a group tour planned to Burghley Horse Trials and minimum numbers already booked for September 2020.  It was a huge blow to cancel all the well-laid plans for the tour due to covid.  So, it was very exciting to visit in September 2022 and [...]

The Palio di Siena is a Unique Horse Race

The Italian horse race the 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐚 is 𝐚n historical 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 that dates back many centuries in Tuscany. Jockeys ride bareback without a saddle or stirrups, dressed in medieval costume around the Piazza del Campo. The Piazza is prepared with a thick layer of tuff clay laid around the track before the race is held. The race is three laps of the piazza and can last up to 90 seconds with the first [...]

The Royal Stables of Cordoba

Córdoba is a city in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. It was an important Roman city and a major Islamic centre in the Middle Ages.  Cordoba also has some very impressive historical Royal Stables, located next to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. History of the Stables The stables were first built in 1567 by the royal decree of Felipe II, the Spanish King to breed sturdy horses for the service of the Royal house. [...]

Your Equestrian Guide to Ireland

Exploring Irish Equestrian Heritage Ireland is renowned for its lush green landscapes and warm hospitality, and beckons equestrian enthusiasts to delve into its rich cultural tapestry. Ireland's popular equestrian sports are Showjumping, hunting, eventing, and racing. Irish Horses Native to Ireland Ireland is famous for the Thoroughbred and the Irish Draught and sport horse.  The Irish Draught and sport horse, a cross of the thoroughbred and Irish draught and are important as a competition horse. [...]

The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art

The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art stands as perhaps the least renowned among the four esteemed riding academies globally recognised. This relative obscurity can be attributed to the school's closure for an extended period during the 19th century due to invasions and political upheavals. Faced with unprecedented challenges, the Royal court, in a bid to safeguard the institution, made the decisive move of relocating everything, including the prized stud horses, to Brazil. However, it is [...]

Celle State Horse Stud, Germany

Celle State Horse Stud, Germany The Celle State horse stud is open to the public and well worth a visit if you are passing through. The Stud is well maintained with beautiful old buildings and stables which you can view and visit inside any of the buildings if the doors are open. The Stud is located in Celle, Lower Saxon, Germany. When I visited, I was able to view most of the stables and saw [...]

Falsterbo Horse Show, Sweden

Falsterbo Horse Show, Southern Sweden The Falsterbo Horse Show exhibits the world’s top horses and riders in beautiful surroundings in the south of Sweden. An annual event that brings over 65,000 visitors. Falsterbo is very close to Copenhagen, Denmark and just an hour away or a 35-minute drive by car from Malmo, Sweden.  Malmo is the closest biggest town with suitable hotel accommodation and ideal as a base to visit the show.  There is public [...]

Badminton Horse Trials & Royal Windsor Show

Snaffle Travel has been visiting every year since 2015 except for the Covid years Badminton Horse Trials is an iconic event and one of seven 5-star events in the world including Burghley, UK, Luhmühlen Horse Trials, Germany, Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in France, Kentucky 3-day event in the US and the latest event addition is Maryland in the US added last year in 2021. We still think Badminton is special with all the pomp [...]

Your Equestrian Travel Guide to Canada

When it comes to equestrian travel, Canada offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich equestrian culture. From the Rockie Mountains and stunning lakes of the West to the vast prairies of the central provinces, Canada provides a diverse backdrop for your equestrian adventures. Canada is not just about maple syrup and hockey; it has a deep connection with horses too. Exploring Canadian Equestrian Heritage Canada is home to the Canadian horse a horse [...]

5 Reasons Why YOU Should Travel With A Group

Snaffle Travel offers small boutique group travel to major equestrian events and tours with an equestrian focus. You won’t have to worry about planning. You don’t have to do any planning as we have done this for you!! This means that you just have to sit back and relax and enjoy your tour!  Just turn up each morning… You will experience new things. Travelling in a group can give you the chance to explore a [...]

Did you know you can visit the Royal Stables in Copenhagen, Denmark?

The Danish Royals are one of a few European Royal Courts that still have fully operational Royal Stables.  The Royal stables in Copenhagen, Denmark have been in existence since the 1740s and during the heyday, there were over 270 horses stabled here.  Today they only have 20 horses kept at the Royal Stables at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. Where are the Royal stables located? The Royal Stables are located at Christiansborg Palace in central Copenhagen [...]

Interesting Equestrian places to visit in Paris

If you have a love of horses we have listed some interesting Equestrian places to visit in Paris (Information courtesy of the Paris Tourist office) The Museum of the Horse at Chantilly The Museum of the Horse is situated in Chantilly a short train ride from Paris. This is a unique place, and the Museum is housed in the Grand Stables of the Château de Chantilly. It seeks to show the public the world of [...]

Your Equestrian Travel Guide to Portugal

When it comes to equestrian travel in Portugal, the country's rich history and diverse landscapes make it an ideal destination. As a former maritime empire, Portugal's location on the Atlantic Ocean has influenced its culture and cuisine. The sea plays a significant role in Portuguese gastronomy, with dishes such as salt cod and grilled sardines becoming national favourites. Starting your equestrian adventure in Lisbon allows you to explore the city's equestrian heritage while immersing yourself [...]

Using Mobile Phones – Overseas

We often get asked what the best option for overseas mobile usage is. This depends on many factors including how long you are away for, and which provider you are with. If you decide to take your phone with you overseas you must be aware of a few things so you do not end up with a costly phone bill when you come home. Before you travel overseas contact your mobile phone company to check [...]

Spruce Meadows – Canada

Spruce Meadows Spruce Meadows is an equestrian facility in Calgary, Alberta built by the Southern Family and opened in 1976. The show jumping complex is in the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains just south of the city and comprises 360 acres. It hosts 500,000 visitors annually and has a stable capacity for 1,000 horses. Spruce Meadows is open for visitors 365 days of the year. It is an all-season facility that hosts conventions and [...]

Go to Top