Travel is always both fun and difficult for a horse owner. The benefits of being able to get 'off the farm' for a respite from the daily work is welcome but the convoluted world of air travel can make the idea of taking off for different climes and countries a stressful affair.
But once I am safely seated in my international airline seat, I know there is nothing to be done but kick back and enjoy the ride. A bit like when you finally enter at A during a dressage test as an experienced competitor. It's time to put the nerves away and just get on and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Once you have safely landed the next major happy moment is seeing your luggage come off the carousel. For every passenger seeing that their suitcases are present and intact is always a relief, but for a horse clinician or competitor, it is especially significant. Let's face it, replacing your custom tall dressage boots or perfectly fitted riding helmet on the fly would not be easy to do.
Arrival at an English-speaking company is always easier than one where you have limited (if any!) comprehension of the language. Visits to give clinics in Europe for hubbie and myself, have always been difficult where the audience is not all ex-pats that speak English or even the younger generation of EU riders who can manage to converse in English reasonably well.
Portugal and Spain are notably harder to navigate than France or Germany, and Italy is definitely one where a translator is necessary at the clinic events. Technology options not withstanding, it is still an challenging task to get the message through at times. Though many laughs are often had along the way.
Horse keeping methods and horse barns are always interesting to observe during your travels. In Portugal horses in training are often stabled for much of the time, as grazing is very limited due to the lack of grass available.
Meantime in Britain, where grass is plentiful, livery barns of all grades offer plenty of turn out. And of course my noted fellow countrymen, Charlotte Dujardin ( actually grew up in my hometown!) and Carl Hester, advocate the benefits of grazing for even their most elite equine superstars.
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| Even at the most prestigious world renowned dressage masters' private yards, care is sometimes more rudimentary than you might expect. |
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| Horses in the U.K. are most commonly pastured most of the time. |
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| One of the superstars at a clinic event we gave in the Lake District, UK. No fancy stabling but a beautifully fit horse and well-kept. |
Not just the horse housekeeping but also the horse training and workout methods are also different globally. Pounding horses around the indoor day in day out is frowned upon most everywhere.
In many countries getting the horses out on the road, exposed to everything that is there at an early age, helps set them up for success when it comes to the busy world of showgrounds and competition. And of course, linking up from bridleway to bridleway is a great way to enjoy trails elsewhere.
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| Safety first when on the road is a must. Boots and jackets for everyone. |
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| Riding through the villages is great fun. |
There is always a lot of driving involved when giving clinics abroad. It is important to be a good map reader, because navigation systems only go so far. It pays dividends to take a good co-pilot along with you. It makes things much easier.
And of course, when you're not pouring over maps and devices to find your way, there will be beautiful scenery to enjoy. And random food stops!
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| Lake District - Windemere |
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| Tavira, Portugal Algarve Region |
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| Converted dairy barn in farm county. |
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| Random spots for a coffee stop, including renovated stables! |
And don't forget the foodie fun. Exploring different cuisines is all part of the adventure. But I do carry some SNZ antibiotics, charcoal tabs/psyllium tabs/ Immodium and Gavescon with me just in case needed! Don't want too much adventure, and feeling poorly when you've got to stand in the center of an arena giving instruction for 8 or 9 hours a day is no fun.
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| Don't forget to try the local wine |
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| Living dangerously with cured meats - but delicious fare is worth the risk (pick a clean/good quality restaurant though!) |
Don't forget to take time out to relax. Especially after all that driving and standing/walking/riding about... ,
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| Nikki at the Estrela Pousada, Serra da Estrela. highest point on mainland Portugal. |
In all, getting yourself out of your own 'training' rut and out and about, shopping/competing or giving clinics is always good for the mind and soul.
Don't be shy to expand your horizons, the rewards are well worth the expense and effort. And meeting fellow equestrians from different backgrounds and countries is always a treat!
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| Paul and Nikki Alvin-Smith, The Algarve, Portugal. |
