Ireland - Flowerhill Cross Country Riding

Flowerhill is the perfect place to visit if you dream of horse riding in Ireland, cantering brave Irish Sport Horses over challenging cross country fences. Join your encouraging host 'Oliver Walsh' at his 250 acre home in the beautiful Irish countryside of East Galway. Surrounded by the best possible horse riding land - green fields, woods, the Kilcrow river, and wonderful wildlife, this has to be one of the best cross country horse riding holidays in Ireland.

You can gallop across open fields, swim through the lake and splash in the Kilcrow river, scaring away the fish as you go. The fences are a mixture of natural logs, stone walls, ditches and a variety of man made obstacles. Most of the 150 fences include 2 or more options, so whether you are a nervous novice or confident competitor, your needs will be met.

Although the main event here is riding over cross country fences, show jumping and dressage tuition, cross country workshops, exercising the hounds and hacking down to the local pub, to enjoy a pint of Guiness are also an option.

At Flowerhill the horses are the stars and enjoy a life of horse luxury. There are over 45 active working horses who are a cross between the solid and sensible Irish Draught and the thoroughbred, resulting in the now famous Irish Sport Horse, which displays great jumping ability, common sense and courage. All the horses are cross country and hunting veterans. Particular care is taken to match rider to horse, making sure guests are comfortable and safe while having fun on the holiday.

Oliver, a former field master with the East Galway Hunt, and currently huntsman with the Co Roscommon hunt, accompanies most of the rides and always has words of encouragement and advice for riders.