Bulgaria

Riding: 4-6 hours a day

Horses: Arab cross, Anglo Arabs, Nonius and Gidran

Pace: moderate

Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders

Weight limit: about 100kg (15 stone) but please contact us to discuss if your weight is close to this

Accommodation: comfortable hunting lodge, some nights in basic guesthouses on Balkan Mountain Ride

Group size: maximum 8

For Bulgaria testimonials please click here

The horses used for these rides are mostly Arab crosses, Anglo Arabs and Hungarian bred Nonius and Gidran (which is similar to a thoroughbred). They range from around 14.2hh to about 16.2hh and are keen and quite spirited but sensible to handle. There are about 25 horses at the stables with about 14 used for the trail rides and others used for eventing / competition and also breeding. English general purpose and endurance saddles are used, with western saddles available on request. The horses are ridden in snaffle bits.

Hours: There is usually between 4 and 6 hours a day - this can be flexible on the Elen Ride with just morning of afternoon rides if preferred.

Pace and experience required: The rides are at a moderate pace overall, with routes taking you through forest and up and down mountain tracks, although there are usually good opportunities for trots and canters each day where the terrain allows (you will be asked not to overtake the guide). To participate in these rides you should be an intermediate rider, comfortable in the saddle at all paces as the hours are quite long and the terrain is varied. The minimum requirement for the progressive ride is that you are in control of a well schooled horse and secure in the saddle at a walk, trot and canter and are used to riding in open country and over different types of terrain. The single base Elen Ride is a bit more flexible so suitable for slightly less experienced riders. You should also be reasonably riding fit to take part, particularly for the Balkan Mountain Ride, and we recommend you ride regularly at home before you go to accustom yourself to the hours you will spend in the saddle.

Accommodation on the rides is very varied. Three nights of the progressive 'Balkan Mountain Ride' and all nights of the one base 'Elen Ride' are spent in Elen Lodge, a newly built hunting lodge on the outskirts of the town of Etropole. The lodge is very comfortable (almost overdone!) and has 4 suites and 4 double rooms, each with their own private bathroom. Other nights on the progressive ride are spent in soviet style mountain guesthouses / retreats and small hotels. Some are very simple, bathrooms are often shared and rooms are dormitory style / beds can be uncomfortable!

The meeting point for the rides is Sofia airport. British Airways fly daily direct from London Heathrow to Sofia with fares from around £250 per person return including tax. KLM offer services between UK regional airports and Sofia via Amsterdam. Easyjet fly from London Gatwick and Wizz fly from London Luton to Sofia.