Ireland, Tullamore
Welcome to a family-run farm in the heart of Ireland’s green countryside – a true paradise for horse lovers! Stay comfortably onsite in a charming guesthouse and enjoy fantastic Irish horses and ponies, over 200 cross-country jumps for all levels, outdoor arenas, and an indoor riding hall.
It’s a warm and homely environment, perfect whether you visit alone, with family, or friends. Enjoy a few hours of exciting riding each day, followed by a relaxed dinner with a drink at a nearby restaurant, a visit to the local pub for an authentic Irish Guinness, or simply unwind in the lodge’s cozy sitting areas with access to the well-stocked honesty bar.
This is also ideal for anyone looking to return to cross-country or show jumping. Perhaps you rode as a teenager and are now ready to start riding again – here you can train, regain confidence, and rediscover the joy of riding in safe and beautiful surroundings.
Accommodation & Food
The cozy guest house was once a barn used to store grain. It was restored and converted into a guest house in 1996. Many of the features of the original farm building are still visible today.
There are a total of nine bedrooms. Each room is individually and very pleasantly furnished, with colorful textiles and beautiful paintings, painted by the owner.
The rooms are well appointed with private bathrooms complete with towels and toiletries.
The breakfast consists of a "Full Irish breakfast", i.e. in addition to the continental breakfast, also a cooked part consisting of eggs prepared according to your wishes, sausages etc.
Lunch and dinner consist of home-cooked meals, with lots of vegetables and products from the local area. During the half-board period, it is possible to take a taxi to several nearby restaurants.
Coffee/tea and homemade cakes are available between meals if you feel like a snack.
It’s also lovely to enjoy a little “after-ride” time by the open fireplace, with a drink from the well-stocked honesty bar.
Please note: Between March and October, half-board (breakfast and lunch) is included, and between June and August, full-board can be booked.
Riding & Program
You should go here if you want a lot of varied riding. All disciplines are trained at the facility, such as dressage, jumping and cross-country jumping. Of course you ride out in the beautiful surroundings as well.
Stay for a week and enjoy fantastic riding around beautiful farmland. There are several different packages available to suit riders of all levels. Choose between 2 and 3 hours of riding per day. Usually there are two lessons in the morning and one lesson in the afternoon.
At the facility there is 1 indoor sand arena 23 x 45m, 1 large outdoor sand arena 35 x 75m and a cross-country course with obstacles suitable for all levels - from simple logs up to 1.10m.
The cross-country course is open between March and October, subject to weather and ground conditions.
In addition, there is the opportunity to ride on lovely specially built riding paths around fields and through forest and water.
Level of Riding & Pace – Beginner to Advanced. The equestrian centre is well set up to take guests who have never ridden before or guests who ride very well and compete. They have first class instructors and fabulous facilities. Of note, is their brilliant cross-country course with 200 plus jumps and also a circular gallop track.
Tack – English & mostly snaffle bridles
Weight Restriction – 16 Stone / 102 kg / 224 lbs.
Group Size – Maximum 8
SAMPLE ITINERARY
A typical day at the farm could look like this:
08:30
Breakfast and a chat with a team member to go over the day’s riding. Head to the yard to meet your horse and saddle up.
10:00–11:00
First lesson. Depending on your choice, this could be a hack, a jumping lesson, a flatwork lesson, or a round on the cross-country course.
12:00-13:00
Second lesson.
13:00–14:00
Lunch.
14:30–15:30
One hour of riding – choose between a hack, lessons, or riding on the cross-country course.
Afternoon break to relax: read a book, watch a movie, take a walk, or enjoy a drink at the local pub.
18:00
Dinner (either at the farm during summer or on your own to a local restaurant) and evening relaxation – visit the pub, take a walk, or read a book.
Weekly program
Allround Standard – 7 nights. Consists of 2 hours per day. A total of 12 hours in one week.
Allround Intensive – 7 nights. Consists of 3 hours per day. A total of 18 hours in one week.
Weekend program
Allround Standard – 3 nights. Consists of 2 hours per day. A total of 4 hours.
Allround Intensive – 3 nights. Consists of 3 hours per day. A total of 6 hours.
Horses
The horses are Irish sport horses and Connemara ponies, well known throughout the world for their excellent temperament and ability to give confidence to their riders, especially in jumping.
There are horses and ponies to suit all levels of riding experience - from calm ponies suitable for beginner riders up to horses that can jump 120 cm.
In total there are about 75 horses, from young horses to old retired horses.
Many of the horses have been bred and trained on the farm. Their bloodlines include well-known Irish Draft and Connemara stallions as well as elite stallions such as Cavalier Royale and Touchdown.
Travel Information
Ability Description:: dressage level 1-3, jumping 1-5, cross-country 1-4
Included in the price::
Week: 7 nights, 6 days riding, 12-18 hours, half board (breakfast and lunch) excl. beverages. Tea/coffee included.
Weekend: 3 nights, 2 days riding, 4-6 hours, half board (breakfast and lunch) excl. beverages. Tea/coffee included.
Not included: Travel to and from Ireland, transfer, beverages.
Option: Between June-August, full board
Travel: Book flight/rental car >> Fly to Dublin.
Bus: From Dublin airport to Kilbeggan, 1½ hour with Citylink https://www.citylink.ie/
Train: From Dublin airport by bus to Dublin Heuston st and change to train to Tullamore. https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie
Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot.
From Kilbeggan, approx 50 EUR one way.
From Tullamore take a taxi from the station to the riding centre (around 10 minutes)
Rental car: If you want to explore the surroundings on your own, we recommend a rental car.
Arrival-/departure day:
Check in between 16.00-20.00. Check out between 08.30-11.00.
Weck program: Arrival Sunday afternoon/evning, departure the following Sunday after breakfast.
Weekend: Arrival Thursday afternoon/evning, departure Sunday after breakfast.
Optional arrival/departure: You can choose another arrival and departure day, just mail us on info@horsexplore.com
Group size: max 8 per group.
Single rooms: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices. If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will apply.
Child discount: 17 years and below
Season: All year
Wifi: Yes
Currency: Euro
Electricity jack:: English, three stick.
Credit card: Yes accepted by riding center.
Tipping: Not required but appreciated
Closest village: Tullamore
Pool: No. But jacuzzi & sauna
Special diet: Inform when booking.
Misc.: Riding equipment to borrow: A limited number of helmets and body protectors, but we recommend you to bring your own.
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