Ireland - Cross Country for Novices

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Day 1
Sunday: Arrival day- 1 hour assessment lesson

Day 2
Monday: 2hr morning WTC (Walk, Trot and Canter) session. Afternoon session - pole work lesson. Pole work targets different aspects of your horse and rider athleticism, including coordination, balance, rhythm, flexibility, and engagement of the hindquarters.

Day 3
Tuesday: 2hr WTC morning session. Afternoon session - indoor cross-country lesson.

Day 4
Wednesday: 2hr cross-country morning session on all-weather cross-country tracks. (no afternoon lesson for those on a 4 day package. Rider's are transferred to airport after lunch). Afternoon session - indoor jump lesson for those on the 4-night package.

Day 5
Thursday (applicable to 5 day packages only).: 2hr morning cross country session on all-weather cross-country tracks. Transfer to airport after lunch.

Please Note: Indoor cross-country/ jump lessons are targeted to improve cross-country skills. On day 3 or 4 the cross-country session is based on the wetlands, lake and gallops all weather tracks.

Other activities:
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides (fees apply)
Fishing on the picturesque lake – some of the best pike fishing in Europe (fees apply) 
Relaxing in the Victorian Treatment Rooms complete with an outdoor hotub 
Strolling around the many country estate walks. On the Estate, in the village of Glaslough and in the local area, there are a whole host of exceptional walks from short jaunts to long leisurely strolls.
 Clay Pigeon Shooting (fees apply)
Archery (fees apply)
Falconry (fees apply)
Golf. There are an abundance of golf courses situated close to Castle Leslie Estate.
Boating (fees apply)

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There is a wide range of top quality horses available to choose from. Schoolmasters are available for beginners and some top class cross-country horses with experience are available for improvers and better riders. Facilities include: 1000 acres of private estate, cross-country jumps from knee high to knee tremblers built by Willis Bros (of Badminton Horse Trials fame), 21 miles of bridleways for meandering along mile-long all-weather gallop, 56 stables.

Targeted at novice / nervous riders comfortable to walk / trot & canter and starting to jump or jumping single fences at 50-70cms. Can understand basic terminology in the school. Minimum rider age limit 8 yes. Maximum rider weight limit 95kg. (Not suitable for beginners, advanced riders or non-riders)

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Located right at the entrance to the estate, the charming Lodge has been carefully restored to offer guests everything they need for complete comfort and relaxation. The Lodge is known as one of the most charming hotels in Ireland and located 10 minutes from Monaghan. It has a cut-stone stable courtyard that retains its original character. It is a family-friendly venue full of local character. The Lodge boasts 29 bedrooms, Victorian Treatment Rooms, cosy Cellar bar and contemporary restaurant. The Equestrian Centre is tucked behind the Lodge making it an ideal base for horse-lovers.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/ireland

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

In Monaghan, the summers are cool; the winters are long, very cold, wet, and windy; and it is mostly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 1°C to 19°C and is rarely below -3°C or above 23°C. The cool season lasts for 3.9 months, from November 15 to March 12, with an average daily high temperature below 9°C. The coldest month of the year in Monaghan is January, with an average low of 2°C and high of 7°C

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Ireland and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In Ireland the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Ireland, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa).

As mainland UK. Mobile phone signal should not be a problem. Contact your supplier for network coverage. If using a GoPro ensure you have the group's permission to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards – (some locations, mostly in the EU, can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Riding boots designed for riding and walking
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Mobile phone

4 day / 3 night / 2 riding days or 5 day / 4 night / 3 riding days with Sunday arrivals between 17 Nov 24 - 9 Feb 25 / 16 Nov 25 - 8 Feb 26

2025: 16 November 25 - 8 February 26 (Sunday arrivals)

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• US $
• SEK

Round Ireland With A Fridge - Tony Hawks

Culture Shock! Ireland - Patricia Levy

Bushmills Irish Pub Guide - Sybil Taylor

The Dubliners - J.Joyce

Mother Ireland - Edna O’ Brien

Barrytown Trilogy - R. Doyle

Woodbrook - David Thomson.

Fishing on the picturesque lake – some of the best pike fishing in Europe (fees apply)
Relaxing in the Victorian Treatment Rooms complete with an outdoor hotub
Strolling around the many country estate walks. On the Estate, in the village of Glaslough and in the local area, there are a whole host of exceptional walks from short jaunts to long leisurely strolls.
Kayaking (fees apply)
Clay Pigeon Shooting (fees apply)
Falconry (fees apply)
Golf. There are an abundance of golf courses situated close to Castle Leslie Estate.

Typical fauna of Ireland include: red squirrel, bank vole, wood mouse, European rabbit and Irish hare, European hedgehog, pygmy shrew, a variety of bats, dolphins, porpoises, red fox, mink, stoat, pine marten, badger, otter, seals, red deer, road deer, fallow deer and the bilberry goat.

Ireland is a land of almost mythical beauty, often wild and windswept it is said there are fifty shades of green in the landscape but none of them are jaded. The Irish seem to have been put on the earth to restore faith in humanity, their charm and delight in spinning a good tale will entertain you for hours. The pub culture in Ireland is part of the national identity. The folk music tradition has been unhindered here and live, spontaneous music is actively encouraged- you will often stumble across a raucous singalong fired by Guiness and whiskey. The ban on smoking in public places is now in force in Ireland and, with fines of up to €3,000 for ignoring it, a lively sub-culture can now be found on the pavements outside Irelands plentiful watering holes huddled against the often biting wind. They are famed for their love and skill with horses, in racing Irish trainers and jockeys are among the best in the world, and the wild ponies of the Connemara in Galway crop up in many myths and legends in Irish folklore. In some areas you will often see kids messing around on horses with nothing but a headcollar and a handful of mane. Ireland is on GMT and they use imperial weights and measures, so inches, feet, pounds and stones. The international dialling code is +353.