Boca Raton, Fl (March 7, 2011) There is still time to book a ride with Olympic and World Championship medalist Karen Dixon while enjoying a riding vacation in Ireland.
Having first represented Great Britain at the age of 17, Karen is one of the all time eventing greats. She has ridden in four Olympic Games and over fifty 4**** events. Further, she has won medals at all levels including team silver at the Seoul Olympics, plus team gold and individual bronze at the World Championships in Holland.
Equestrian eventers may opt to ride in the clinic as the highlight of their holiday, or they may add an adventure ride through Ireland’s stunning countryside decorated with castles and ancient landmarks.
From April 19 to 23 Karen will teach at Clonshire Equestrian Center, Adare, County Limerick, Ireland. Visitors will ride Irish Sport Horses trained by British Horse Society certified instructors. Four-star lodging is at the village of Adare’s Dunraven Arms Hotel, filled with old world charm and luxury.
Adare has been tagged “Ireland’s Prettiest Village” and offers all the activities for which Ireland is known, including the equestrian action.
Training kicks off when riders arrive on April 19 to get acquainted with their horses, followed the next day by a three-hour jumping or flat lesson and trail rides across a private country estate.
Lessons with Karen begin April 21 with a flatwork and show jumping clinic. The highlight of April 22 is the cross-country jumping clinic.
High Pointe Equestrian Tours has arranged riding tours for before and/or after the clinic. One choice visits the magnificent 15th century Cloghan or Knappogue Castle during the riding week across the brilliant heather fields and picturesque Burren boglands. Riders visit historic ruins and partake in the vibrant culture of southwestern Ireland on the BurrenCastle and Ancient Ruin Ride beginning April 16.
Another option is the Gaelic Trails to the Cliffs of Moher Ride following the clinic and through April 30. Over 140 miles of ancient Celtic trails travel through the passes of theSlieve Aughty Mountains to Galway Bay described as “chains of morning dew” in the John Lennon song, “The Luck of the Irish.” Along the trail are the Aran Islands, a timeless land with rugged monuments of awesome cliffs and great labyrinths of limestone. Riders traverse the unique split and weathered cliffs of the Burren to find traces of megalithic tombs, the ancient ritual sites of the Poulnabrone Neolithic tomb, ring forts, souterrain caves, 10th century A.D. cairns and holy wells. After passing through forests, meadows and villages, the ride ends at the majestic Cliffs of Moher. When off their horses vacationers visit Irish pubs for traditional entertainment, and to spend time with friendly locals.
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“We pride ourselves on being available to our customers 24/7 when they are overseas,” says Cathy Mann, president of High Pointe Equestrian Tours, lifelong horsewoman who has been in the travel business for over 20 years. “We spend a lot of time with our clients to determine what they like for their equestrian experience, as well as what they like to do before and after the tour.”
The clinic is priced at $1,304 per person, double occupancy, and $1,941 single occupancy, and includes four-nights lodging, all breakfasts, horse, tack, clinic, transport to and from the Shannon Airport, transport to and from the stable. Airfare, lunch and dinner are not included. This price will fluctuate with the dollar/euro exchange and will be fixed at your final payment.
Check the High Pointe Equestrian Tours website (www.highpointetours.com for details on the Burren Castle Ride and the Gaelic Trails to the Cliffs of Moher Ride.
