This superb riding holiday takes place from October to April amidst some of the most beautiful countryside that County Galway is famous for. It is a land of rolling hills and green fields, divided by a latticework of stone walls and quiet country roads. It is a land rich in folklore, legend and archaeological treasures all waiting to be explored on the back of an Irish hunter or a pure-bred Connemara pony.

The varied terrain includes the Slieve Aughty mountains and large tracts of woodland. On the trail there are opportunities to jump a large variety of natural obstacles, hedges, ditches and of course the walls for which County Galway is famous. All of these can be avoided if you would rather not jump.
We would be delighted to custom design a programme for you that includes as much or as little jumping and instruction as you like.

The trail provides riding and jumping at a pace that can be varied to suit riders of different abilities. Willie Leahy is famous for matching horse and rider to ensure that your holiday is as enjoyable as possible.

One of the highlights for more advanced riders and for those wanting to improve their jumping skills is the Dartfield event course. The course was professionally designed to accommodate riders and horses of all levels from novice to advanced. An international three day 2 star event has been held at the course since 2004 attracting riders from all over the world, including America and Europe. As well as the international standard fences, there are plenty of natural and man made fences that any rider will enjoy jumping.

Accommodation for the week is at the friendly local hunting hotel, O'Dea's in nearly Loughrea, or at family run b&b's. During the day a simple picnic lunch is eaten with plenty of tea and hot port on hand. The evening meal is taken at a variety of friendly restaurants in the Loughrea area.

Itinerary:

Riders can enjoy the trail at Aille Cross for a week, or just a few days. We will always be delighted to tailor make a holiday to meet your requirements.

This itinerary is only a sample of what is available for riders. As this is a working farm riders sometimes have the opportunity to help with an exciting horse, cattle or sheep drive, a necessity for farming in this area.

The week begins on Monday with a ride through the forest to Killnadema, where riders have an opportunity to jump small obstacles while the guide assesses their ability. There is plenty of jumping for those who want to, but it must be stressed that all obstacles can be avoided.

On Tuesday riders can either hunt with the famous Irish hunt the Galway Blazers or ride to Knock Ash and jump on the farm land surrounding Aille Cross. Willie Leahy has been field master of this pack for over a decade, so riders are given a great introduction to this exciting sport.

On Wednesday the ride begins at Dartfield - Ireland's Horse World, Willie Leahy's latest venture. Here there are 350 acres of rolling parkland with a superb cross country course for riders to jump. The visit to the course is the highlight of many visits to Aille Cross. Lunch is eaten at Dartfield after which riders have the opportunity to look around the only museum in the world to be dedicated to the Irish horse. The afternoon is spent riding and jumping on the farmland surrounding the museum.

On Thursday riders can hunt again, or ride to Killnadema where there are natural obstacles and stone walls to jump. After lunch, riders will enjoy a hack through a large area of forestry where there are plenty of opportunities for fast gallops along woodland tracks.

Friday is spent at Dartfield again. There is another opportunity to try your skill over the event course. Those not wishing to jump can ride through the farmland around the museum and beyond into the surrounding area.

Saturday is the final day of your stay at Aille Cross. The Galway Blazers meet on a Saturday, so those who are foxhunting will join Willie for an exciting hunt with this popular pack. Those who are not hunting will ride around Aille Cross. Riders will be surprised at how much their confidence and ability has increased during the week under the guidance of our professional tutors. After lunch there is a final opportunity to ride around the beautiful farmland surrounding Aille Cross, before it is time to say goodbye to the horses that have been your faithful companions during the week.

Aille Cross Equestrian Centre Connemara Trails Loughrea, Co. Galway Ireland
Tel. No.	091 841216
Fax No.	091 842363
From Europe:
Tel. No.	00353 91 841216
Fax No.	00353 91 842363
From U.S. and Canada:
Tel. No.	011 353 91 841216
Fax No.	011 353 91 842363