Excellent Day Alot Of Great Memories
Linda W,
25 Sep 2011
Had a great day! Horses were lovely, people really nice and friendly. Would love to do it again.
A Dream Fulfilled
Peter C,
03 Jun 2011
As a cowboy at heart I have always wanted to ride a horse western style, but at 50 and having never ridden I though it was a dream that I would not fulfill. Thanks to Red Letter Day, I got to live the dream for a day and enjoyed every minute. It's a full day giving you the chance to get in the mood, learn the basics and feel comfortable and safe out in the forest trail. From the breakfast and cowboy lunch at the ranch, through to releasing our steads back in the field we were looked after really swell by the good folk at Burley Villa. A really great day and one I will always remember. I expect to be back for more!
A Dream Come True For My Wife's Birthday
Bernard S,
15 May 2011
My wife experienced an exciting, informative, hands on, fun day - even for a total beginner! Very helpful staff, with plenty of patience and nothing's too much trouble. The stars of the day were the incredible, beautiful horses, getting to know your horse by grooming, saddling up and ultimately riding him - yes, a few achy bits the following morning but it was worth it for the thrill of eventually riding a horse and western style at that!
Fantastic Day And Want To Go Back Asap!
Bronja W,
20 Mar 2011
Started the day by catching our horses. My horse Spot was by the fence and easy to catch where-as my Husbands horse Marius didn't live up to the confident Ladies man name and stood way at the back and reluctantly let himself be led to be groomed. We learnt about the Western tack, groomed our horses and had a lesson which threw everything we knew about riding out of the window. I adored my horse from the start and wish I could have taken him home. We stopped to feed the horses and had a fantastic steak lunch but couldnt wait to get back on for a ride. We hacked out into the forest which was stunning. The only thing missing was a canter through the forests, that would have been the icing on the cake but apart from that, it was an awesome day. I kind of fell off Spot when we got back to the yard as I hadn't appreciated how stiff I would feel as I ride regularly but not with a Western saddle. Once I regained control of my thighs it was ok! My husband really enjoyed the day and we can't wait to go back.
Can't Wait To Do It Again!
Caroline R,
05 Sep 2010
What a wonderful day! The staff were really friendly and helpful and the whole day was organised to give us all an extremely positive experience. You arrive to coffee and bacon rolls, catch your horse from the field and learn how to tack them up western style. You spend about an hour and a half in an outside arena, learning how to walk and 'jog' western style which is very different from English style riding. Then we stopped for lunch which included the tastiest steak I have ever had! We also saw the owners daughter practising on her stallion in the outside arena for the Western competition she was going to America to compete in. She was really friendly and took the time to explain what she was doing. After lunch we set off into the New Forest for over two and a half hours and were lucky enough to see some wild ponies! Back at the ranch we untacked, took our horse back to his field and were treated to some wonderful muffins with our coffee. I would highly recommend this experience!
Excellent Day Out
David C,
05 Sep 2010
The people were very friendly and helpful and ensured that everyone was made welcome and well looked after.
I Had A Wonderful Day
Tracy D,
04 Jun 2010
Everything about the day was excellent and extremely well organised. The staff were all friendly and knowledgable. The horses were obviously very well cared for and loved. I have never ridden western style before but we had some expert tuition in the morning and the horses were well-schooled and responsive. There was a reassuring emphasis on safety at all times. The food was delicious and served up in an atmospheric ranch-style setting. The afternoon's ride through the New Forest was great. There were lots of wild ponies with enchanting little foals. The day certainly lived up to my expectations and I would recommend it. So much was packed into the day, from catching the horses, to grooming and tacking them up to riding in the sand school and in the forest. Very good value for money!
Brilliant!
Marcus G,
09 Apr 2010
This was a 60th birthday present for my mum. We both went and had a fantastic time. All of the staff at the stables were extremely helpful and made sure that our day was very enjoyable. The weather was also fantastic which helped. I would go back again and recommend this to my friends!
What A Fantastic Day!!
Marie B,
09 Apr 2010
Burley Villa ranch was so friendly, I arrived to a lovely bacon and egg roll cooked on the BBQ, then we went to meet our horse for the day. All the horses were very well looked after and very laid back. After morning lessons more lovely food, chicken or steak BBQ. Then off to the New Forest trail riding for the afternoon. The weather was beautiful, the instructors were so good, very patient and friendly. It was an amazing day at a lovely place, it's made me want to do the real thing staying on a ranch in the US, so I am busy saving up as I don't think Red Letter Days will quite run to that! :o) Excellent experience - thank you x
A Wonderful And Most Enjoyable Day
Angela G,
17 Oct 2008
The hospitality of the proprietor and his staff was very good, their care and attention was second to none. There is really no need to be worried if you are a beginner, you are in safe hands and the horses are very placid and seem very patient - or maybe they are just used to people who have no idea what they are doing! On the whole it was a very memorable day, the weather was perfect, the food very good and most of all the New Forest was stunning. If people are in any doubt at all, as a complete novice, I would encourage you to go for it, you couldn't be in safer hands, it's a great day and certainly one for the memory banks!!
Move Over John Wayne
Jo W,
28 Sep 2008
It was a nervous bunch that met on a beautiful autumn morning. Fortified by breakfast, we soon looked the part in stetson covered riding hats and borrowed cowboy boots. Only two of us had ridden before so it was with trepidation that the others caught, groomed and tacked up their horses.The staff soon had everyone sorted out and before long we scrambled into the saddle for our riding lesson. An hour later we had all mastered turning, reversing and trotting. After a lovely lunch, it was back to work, retacking the horses and climbing aboard for our ride around the New Forest. The gentle pace gave us time to admire the gorgeous view. Bums were aching by the end of the two hour ride but I was sad to dismount at the end. Stiff legs were forgotten as we untacked, washed down and turned out our horses before getting stuck into tea and muffins.
Most Enjoyable Day
Tracy R,
24 Jul 2008
I had a really great day, was better than expected but could have done with longer in the saddle exploring the New Forest as it's such a wonderful place. Great food, service and lovely horses. it was a great day and even got good weather to go with it, so this made a day to remember, it was well worth travelling 215 miles to get there.
Brought Back Memories
Danielle M,
29 Jun 2008
I had a fantastic day, the staff at the stables were all very friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend the experience to others. It's even convinced me to start riding regularly again.
Fantastic day
Vicky N,
24 Feb 2008
I had a fantastic day and everyone was so kind and helpful and I learnt a lot! Thank you!