Report - Section 4.4

4.4   Types of riding holidays

The holiday market for horse-riding can be broken down into five categories, as follows:

• General holidaymakers taking a ride as an activity whilst on holiday. Quite significant numbers of people, dominated by families, looking for an hour/half day trek in the immediate area (2-5 miles);
• Pony-trekking holidays are the most popular form of equestrian tourism and probably accounts for 90-95% of the market where horse-riding is the main purpose of the trip. It has strong appeal to groups and school parties. Generally geared to novices and centre based (5-10 miles);
• Trail riding for the experienced rider. This can take the form of circular rides or distance rides linking in with accommodation. It may be self-organised or be 12 Leisure Intelligence October 2001, Mintel based on group led trails. Generally on a designated trail, usually escorted and on a hired horse, attracting more advanced riders than pony trekking (10-30 miles);
• Horse touring is generally accepted to mean touring with your own horse, usually unescorted, as is common in France (10-30 miles);
• Specialist holidays for people wanting to learn dressage or advanced techniques.

Areas are selected therefore on the basis of their route infrastructure, terrain, path surface and accommodation. Bridle Rides base their holidays mostly on bridleways, in order to ensure that the network they have selected is not subject to whim or chance. They ride all their routes every 3-4 years. Their brochure suggests that bridle riding is "quite within the capability of most riders" from “happy hackers” to experienced endurance competitors. Charges are £60 per person per day (2003 prices). Stabling and luggage transport are offered as optional extras.