‘The Yarra Valley Ride is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The landscape is incredible, the food and wine is amazing and the hosts are just wonderful. I don’t have enough positive words to cover everything! It’s very well catered for all levels of riders and as an advanced rider I never felt bored – there were so many opportunities to canter up amazing hills (and it would be impossible to be bored in that beautiful scenery anyway!). I brought a friend with me who hadn’t ridden for more than 10 years, and on the second day she cantered right past me on a big hill – it was so much fun to watch her rediscover riding and become so confident in such a short time! I loved my horse, Kite, and was extremely impressed with the quality of all of the horses. I would have taken at least two or three of them home with me in my suitcase if I could. Thank you SO much to Clancy and the team!’

‘The perfect break! Great location, knowledgeable staff and a personal approach. Clancy and Vanessa are the best guides! They are very understanding and accommodating, and their knowledge of horses and the local environment is just amazing. I totally loved our ‘outing’ to the huts. Dinner and wine around the fireplace… simply the best!
The trip was perfectly organised and executed, and excellent value for money. I loved it. I’m planning to bring my daughter on this ride shortly!’

‘I haven’t ridden in years but horses were a huge part of my life for a long time, so I booked this ride as soon as it came up to give me a chance to reconnect with this passion. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Clancy, who did a great job matching everyone up with their horses. I jumped on a big Standardbred called Spunky and we headed to the winery for lunch and a wine tasting. The beautiful scenery, amazing food and the gallop through the grapevines was such an amazing start to the trip.
I honestly felt so comfortable and secure the entire time – Spunky was a great ride, quick and fast when we got to gallop and slow and careful in the tricky parts. The horses were all well taken care of and you could tell that they were loved. I can’t tell you enough about the accommodating nature of Clancy and his family (I am considering his entire staff part of the family)! The food was amazing and they were friendly, kind and so approachable.’

‘The Yarra Valley Ride is the perfect length if you’re looking for a short getaway from Melbourne. It was an absolute joy after a long year out of the saddle. I rode BB. He was happy go lucky, affectionate, fit, surefooted and loved a good canter! I felt very safe riding him – he looked after me well. My favourite moment on the trip was definitely galloping on the second day. Not only did I feel secure and comfortable at that speed, I also felt I improved as a rider. That gave me a boost in confidence and trust in my own abilities. Clancy told me I had the biggest grin on my face!
For someone who has very specific dietary requirements, the food was amazing! Fresh, organic and local. I felt very looked after. The huts were fantastic, and the night in the swag was absolutely brilliant. The double swag was massive, and so comfortable and warm. Clancy and his son Patterson set it up perfectly, oriented to overlook the glorious view, moonrise and sunrise.
Thank you to Clancy and his team for a wonderful time.’

‘This ride was beautiful! The team went above and beyond to make my stay special. Clancy and his staff were so welcoming, supportive, kind, reassuring and positive. I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work they put in. I’m a nervous beginner and Clancy matched me with the perfect horse, Sugar, who really looked after me. She was kind, sound, responsive and beautiful! I highly recommend this ride.’

‘Thank you Clancy and Kath for a fantastic long weekend away that felt like a real holiday. It was a great blend of ‘bush experience’ and luxury. Nothing was too much trouble, and the team went the extra mile for us, which we all appreciated. Asking me to highlight the best bits of the trip is tricky, because there were many, but here is a not-so-short list:
– Great horses, very easy on the eye, comfortable to ride and with nice personalities
– Good trails, with some nice canters and trots, through very different landscapes
– Great food, including local produce, as well as a gourmet lunch at De Bortoli and two wine tastings
– Well appointed cabins with great beds and amenities
– In addition to Clancy and his stories, there was Dick, a veteran bushman, whose special recipes we loved and whose tales we enjoyed hearing
– A night up the mountain, with dinner and drinks with like-minded globetrotters by the fire and bedding down in either a swag or the bunkhouse, with an incredible view of the sunrise right from the bed and a cacophony of birdsong in the morning.
I’ll be back!’

‘An absolutely fantastic three days of riding in the Yarra Valley. Couldn’t fault it. The hosts had very good knowledge of the horses and the trails, and good judgement of riders’ abilities and confidence. They were very hospitable, always there if needed but not overdoing it. Lovely family involvement at meal times, too. All the food was delicious and plentiful, with loads of great wine provided and dietary needs catered for. The homemade passionfruit sponge on the final night was perfect. The accommodation was beautiful and very peaceful, with lots of space in the shared areas. Sleeping in the swags up at the hut was lovely – they were very deluxe swags, so perfect for a non-camper like me. The horses were great. Wally was a gorgeous palomino Arab-cross, chilled and speedy – I was very happy with my steed.’

‘A fabulous experience. New friendships and new memories were made. I will return to do it all again! I rode Snow, who was very gentle, surefooted and trusting, as were all of the horses. I especially loved riding through Toolangi State Forest with its tall trees and ferns. Clancy, Catherine and the staff were fabulous – they couldn’t do enough for you. We felt so welcomed and like part of the family. Clancy and his friend Dick are so knowledgeable about the horses and the area. You could listen to their stories for hours!
The accommodation was fabulous and blended in with the surrounds perfectly. It was clean, cosy, welcoming and homely. The food was amazing, and in abundance. Fresh local produce, a cooked breakfast every morning with yogurt and fresh berries, charcuterie boards each night before dinner, and fabulous BBQs with beautiful salads. I would highly recommend this trip.’