If you are flying internationally, you’ll likely land in Edinburgh, around an hour’s drive from your base for the Academy. Welcome to the Border country! It’s a beautiful drive, so soak it all in.  

You’ll need to arrive at your bespoke accommodation – Cringletie House, which looks more like a castle than a hotel – at around 12pm. You’ll be shown to your room by the wonderful GM Lucy and her welcoming and friendly staff, who will be there throughout the coming days to offer a helping hand should you require any assistance. You’ll have about half an hour to settle in and get changed for riding, before driving approximately 15mins down the road to the Equestrian Centre, arriving at 1pm. 

Here you’ll be met by Susy and her superb team of horses. Depending on your specifications and who is with you, you’ll most likely enjoy an arena session with one of her wonderful horses. She may well partner you up with multiple horses throughout your stay, which is a great accelerator of skills development in itself. However, the main thing to say is that you will kick off right where you are today – all are welcome. You’ll have a good debrief with the team at the end of the session and talk tactics for your subsequent days. 

Heading back to Cringletie, you’ll then have time to freshen up before sitting down to a welcome dinner. Loosen your belts, globetrotters, as the food you’ll be served throughout this week will definitely be worth the extra calories!

After a breakfast worthy of royalty (seriously, you do NOT want to miss the lavish spread served each morning at Cringletie), you’ll return to the equestrian centre. Today could be a split itinerary with lunch back at Cringletie, or, if you are hoping to work on your skills outside the arena and push up to a full day ride, you might head straight out for the trails and take a packed lunch prepared by Cringletie’s incredible catering team.

We expect most guests to enjoy a lesson in the morning and a trail ride of some description in the afternoon.  However, it’s YOUR holiday! Flexibility is key.

We’d suggest booking Carlos, the incredible masseur who Cringletie keeps on speed dial, for a massage in your room once you return to the hotel – speak with the lovely team at reception to book. This region is all about the sport: golfers, archers, hikers and bikers, Highland Gamers, shooting parties… a lot of muscles get goaded here, and Carlos can put you back together in time for dinner and a re-match the following day.  We think you’ll appreciate his expert attention before getting back in the saddle for the last time tomorrow!

This is your last riding day, and though the format may mirror yesterday’s, it certainly need not. If you have made some key breakthroughs and want to put them to the test in open country, or at a higher speed, for example, this might be the focus. Or maybe you want to take those stirrups away and see how your seat has improved in an arena lesson, or take in a few handy cues on your position from your instructors.

Off the horses, and back at Cringletie, you’ll enjoy a final lavish dinner. And, if you have already decided that this needs to become a semi-regular ‘refresher’ course for you and everyone you know, perhaps this would be a good time to see what else there is to entertain and captivate in the region. A whisky distillery tour? A trip to Hawick, the European ‘capital of cashmere’? (Fun fact: Did you know that all of luxury brand Chanel’s tweed is made in Hawick? #cool) A round of golf? There is so much here to keep you coming back, as if the riding were not reason enough.

Savour one last delicious breakfast at Cringletie before checking out this morning. You’ll bid a fond farewell to Bill and his team and head off on your merry way. 

*If you’d like to enjoy one final farewell ride this morning, this can be arranged at an additional cost direct with Susy.

Non-riders are welcome to join their riding travel companions for this itinerary. The region is ripe with history and Cringletie Hotel is a suitable base for a number of day trips around the area. The nearby Traquair House (Scotland’s oldest inhabited house) is certainly well worth a visit, and a day can easily be spent exploring in nearby Edinburgh too. Keen for a round or two of golf? You’ve got the fabulous Peebles Golf Course an easy 10min drive from your accommodation (bookings essential). Be sure to liaise with your hosts at Cringletie Hotel for more Scottish-inspired activities. The non-rider price consists of all standard inclusions in the rider package (i.e. meals & accommodation) minus the riding element.

Please be aware that this is a self-driving riding holiday. You’ll need to hire a car, as you’ll be expected to drive to and from your ride destination each day (the stables are a 15min drive from Cringletie Hotel). There is no transfer service included with this ride.

When you’re not in the saddle, thanks to your hire car, you’ll have the freedom to explore local towns and historical attractions (i.e. Traquair House) in your down time.

Depending on your budget and where you’re flying from, you have the option of flying into either London or Edinburgh and hiring a car from there. Keep in mind, Edinburgh is a 1 hour drive from Cringletie Hotel, while London is a 6 hour drive.

Globetrotting is happy to provide a competitive quote on international flights, travel insurance, car hire and accommodation before and after your ride.