Meet a Globetrotter: Margaret Mooney
Khovsgol & Arhangay Rides, Mongolia , The Maasai Mara Ride, Kenya , Chilko Lake Ride, BC Canada , The Patagonia Trail, Argentina , The Sahara Ride, Morocco , The Costa Azul Ride, Portugal ...Meet our globetrotter, Margaret Mooney, who has notched up a fair few riding holidays with us. She’s ridden in India, Mongolia, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Argentina and more.
Here is her globetrotting tale:
How have horses influenced or changed my life…
I have been passionate about horses and all things horse related for as long as I can remember. My grandfather on my father’s side was a horseman so I think I got the bug from him, even though I never knew him. Horses have had an enormous influence on my life and I can’t imagine living without them!
What is your earliest memory of horses?
My earliest memory would be patting the horse of the bottle-o (the man who used to come around and collect the empty beer bottles) where I grew up in North Fitzroy. I can also distinctly remember a ride on a Shetland pony at the Catani Gardens in St Kilda when I was about three or four.
What was your childhood pony called?
When we moved out of the city to a bayside suburb I got my first pony – a beautiful skewbald mare called Pinna. We had her for six years and she taught me heaps!
What does riding or being with horses mean to you?
Riding and being with horses is like meditation for me – you are so in the moment when you are on a horse, experiencing a real sense of freedom because they generously let us share their strength and fleetness.
What have horses taught you the most:
Horses have taught me to see the world in a different way, with patience and forbearance and to appreciate really simple things in life, like a sunrise ride where it’s just you and your horse happily moseying along while the rest of the world is still asleep!
What was your first Globetrotting ride?
My first Globetrotting ride was in Mongolia. I was fascinated by their horse culture and had read lots about Ghengis Khan, so I wanted to see that part of the world for myself, from the back of a horse. This was followed by Globetrotting’s guided ride to the Maasai Mara to mark my 60th birthday, and what a truly amazing experience that was! Galloping with zebra (and giraffe and wildebeest) was the highlight for me, as it ticked off the top of my ‘bucket list’! But there were so many amazing things – too many to mention!
What made you take the plunge and sign up for a Globetrotting holiday?
Seeing a new country on horseback immerses you in the real life of the place. The place is slow, you get to see, smell and feel the landscape, and the people you meet are the salt of the earth!
Who is your favourite safari horse of all time and why?
The horses are all so wonderful and suited to the country and style of ride – I can’t pick a favourite as they have all been top notch mounts! It’s wonderful how quickly you form a bond with your horse on a ride!
A tip that every globetrotter should know before going on a ride…
If you are going on a Globetrotting ride, read up on the culture and country before you go – I think it makes the whole experience more enriching.
Finish this sentence – Don’t leave home without…
A sheepskin seat saver!