It’s finally here, that moment when you touch down in Wales and make your way to Blaenau Farm to start your Welsh riding adventure… life is GOOD! You’ll be spending this holiday riding almost the entire length and breadth of Wales on native horses bred for the job, and you’ll experience some of the most historic, beautiful and undiscovered country in Britain. It’s a globetrotter’s dream! The route passes through four mountain ranges – The Black Mountains, Mynydd Epynt, the Elan Valley and over Plynlimon before a final gallop on the beach near Aberystwyth.

Using mostly forgotten bridle- ways, some open moorland crossings and several trails over private land, this is going to be a riding adventure that will leave a mark on your soul and have you talking about over a pint for years to come. Welcome to Wales!

Get ready to feel the wind beneath your wings as you experience your first taste of riding the tough Welsh Cobs who are purpose-bred for this type of riding. They’re athletic, they’re fast and they’ll go for miles, trit-trotting along the narrow lanes and galloping across the hillside. I dare you not to smile as you set off on your ride today, a local trail of around 12 miles (20 kms). I guarantee you’ll be grinning from ear-to-ear from the moment your backside hits in the saddle.

Despite being a shorter ride than what you’ll experience throughout the remainder of the week, today will give you the chance to get a feel for your horse and the free riding style of your hosts. You’ll stop for lunch at a local pub before heading up onto the mountain where the hill-riding really begins. It’s here that you’ll earn spectacular views of Llangorse Lake and the Brecon Beacons, before making your way back down to Blaenau Farm for a well-earned dinner. You’re also free to visit the local pub (approximately 10-minute walk) for an ale if you wish – don’t forget to take a torch to use on the way home!

You will need to make your own way to our ride partner’s farm – Blaenau Bach – where the ride starts and ends, as there are no transfers available. Blaenau Bach is hidden in an unspoilt valley deep in the beautiful Black Mountains of mid-Wales, approximately 17 miles from Abergavenny, approximately 3.5 hours drive or train ride from London, and 2 hours from Birmingham.

By car: Depending on which airport you fly into, you may wish to hire a car and drive to the farm where the ride starts. You’ll be able to leave your car there for the duration of the ride.

By train: The nearest station is Abergavenny. From London Paddington, via Newport, the journey can be as short as 2 hours 20 minutes. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for timetables and fares. It is then a short taxi ride away from the station (about 35 minutes, £30-35) – there are usually plenty of taxis outside.

By bus: National Express coaches offer a comfortable and speedy journey up the motorway from Heathrow Airport (and other airports) to Chepstow, where we can arrange a transfer to the farm. The coach trip takes 2 hours, and the drive from Chepstow is a further one hour. The coach ticket costs approximately £39.70 return (price subject to change), and the transfer is £70 – we can hook you up to meet others to share the cost. Full details and a journey planner can be found at www. nationalexpress.com