Escrick Park onstacle 3
What a great weekend at Escrick park with the North East Driving Club winning the Club Championship Intermediate Pony trophy! This is us at obstacle 4 in the marathon (about 7 or 8 miles in). Really pleased with 19 year old Hades Hill Perry who was on fire all weekend. Huge thanks to Ruby Gray for clear, calm and consice backstepping (and Nicola for the timesheets and plaits). Carriage driving really is a team effort and is still the most fun I have ever had with a horse or pony. Huge thanks to all the organisers, stewards and helpers for making it possible. Already making plans for the 2025 season!!
"Absolutely Worth Every Moment"
Last week we took MIlo on the stunning 9 mile Windermere hack. Here's what Milo had to say...
"We were up in Cumbria for our holiday and I wanted very badly to get a chance to go riding out through the fells. I contacted Fell Pony Adventures and from the get-go Tom was helpful, communicative and informative. When I arrived, it was just me booked into the hack and Tom took me out. His ponies are some of the loveliest most reliable I have ever met. We rode up through the fells, trotted, cantered and galloped our way over them, had a lovely lunch by a reservoir and came back down again. We even got a chance to climb up through a pack pony route. Tom was endlessly friendly, helpful and told me lots about pack ponies and their history in their fells. The ride was great fun, I feel smarter having been on it, and I would recommend it to every experienced rider out there looking to see beautiful views and ride some really lovely, lovely ponies. Thanks to Tom for the experience and letting me meet some more of the herd when we got back!"
Thank you MIlo - it was our pleasure!
You can read this and our other 5 star reviews over on Tripadvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186330-d20127454-Reviews-Fell_Pony_Adventures-Windermere_Lake_District_Cumbria_England.html
Drop us a message if you'd like to join us on our Windermere hack. We have places on 14th and 17th September. More info on our website https://fellpony.co.uk/riding
We had an amazing weekend at Newby Hall with the North Eastern Driving Club.
We moved up to the Intermediate level this year so everything is harder and faster.
Hades Hill Perry did us proud coming not only 3rd in our class and winning the Internediate marathon class BUT to top it all she came 3rd overall in the marathon in all classes against a field of over 50 horses and ponies (some of them National champions).
In fact we were only 0.15 between us and second place. A really amazing achievement for a 13;1 hand veteran Fell pony.
Huge thanks to Ruby Gray for really clear and helpful backstepping. It might not look fast but believe me when youre up on that carriage everything comes up at real speed!
This is us in obstacle 4 about 10km into the marathon.
Here's a little moment from our 3 day Haweswater trek last week. There are so many beautiful places we visit with stunning views but the wind in the long grass on Mosedale common was one of my favourite moments on this trek.
We will be running a limited number of pack pony treks around Haweswater in 2025 so if you're thinking of joining us then get in touch for a chat about which trek would suit you best.
I have said time and time again that once you gain the trust of a Fell pony it will do almost anything you ask. Sometimes crossing a small beck can be a challenge if theres a step down and up again the other side. It can be even trickier for a pony carrying fully loaded boxes so if it's going to be a struggle we take the boxes off to cross. This is 7 year old Hades Hill Little Prince jumping accross while the others look on from above.
📸Jo Parsons
Out for a drive with Robert Bowman
I had a fantastic day yesterday with one of the master horsemen Robert Bowman out for a drive with his team and then long reigning his horses. Robert is a true gentleman and has a lovely gentle way with his horses. Time very well spent! 🐴🐴🐴🐴
