Daily horse rides leaving from and returning to Brenfield Farm
Our horse riding section is now closed for the 09/10 winter season. We will be open again for horse riding in April 2010. We offer clay pigeon shooting year round.
Brenfield is well situated for varied and interesting short rides in and around the hills and forests above the village of Ardrishaig on the western shores of Loch Fyne.
Our Beach Gallop is almost unique in the United Kingdom, in that we don't just gallop down the beach, but, depending on the tide level, we sometimes carry on into the sea and swim on horseback to the shore before enjoying a well deserved drink at the local pub.
We cater for all ages and horse riding abilities and try to ensure that riders of similar standards go out together to get the best possible ride. For parties with four or more riders, we can arrange private hacks.
Click on the headings below for more information on each ride:
.jpg "Overlooking Inveraray Castle and Loch Fyne")
Accompanied hacks (Beginner - Very Experienced)
Pub Ride (Novice - Very Experienced)
Beach Gallop (Experienced - Very Experienced) *2010 Beach Gallop dates now set, please check below!*
Picnic Ride (Beginner - Very Experienced)
Swim Ride (Beginner - Very Experienced)
Lead by Parent (Children 8yrs and under)
Lessons (Beginner - Very Experienced)
Click here for our safety and riding abilities guide.
Accompanied hacks (Beginner-Very Experienced)
For complete beginners the one hour hack is generally most suitable. It will give you the opportunity to get the "feel" of horse riding, enjoy the magnificent views and relax and let the horse do all the work! For the more adventurous beginner, intermediate and experienced riders, our longer hacks of one and a half or two hours cover more ground at a faster pace.
We try to group riders together based on experience, so the more you can tell us about what you would like to do, the more fun you'll have!
These rides normally leave Brenfield at 10am and 2pm, please try to book at least 48hrs in advance to avoid disappointment.
1 hour hack - £25 per person
1 1/2 hour hack - £35 per person
2 hour hack - £45 per person
Pub Ride (Novice-Very Experienced)
Our pub ride normally leaves Brenfield at 10:30am. We ride up and around the forestry tracks above Brenfield and then down into the village of Ardrishaig where we tether the horses, make sure they're fed and watered, and then head into the pub for lunch. We then head back over the hill to Brenfield. Depending on how long lunch takes (!) we arrive back between 3pm and 4pm.
Please book at least 48hrs in advance to avoid disappointment.
£95 per person, includes lunch
Beach Gallop (Experienced-Very Experienced)
2010 Dates
- April 24th, Saturday, 1pm
- May 3rd, Monday, 9am
- May 8th, Saturday, 12 Noon
- June 25th, Friday, 3pm
- July 17th, Saturday, 9.30am
- August 7th, Saturday, 2pm
- August 21st, Saturday, 2.30pm
- September 4th, Saturday, 1.30pm
The beach gallop is one of our most popular horse rides for the more experienced rider. This ride normally leaves Brenfield either in the morning or the early afternoon, this is very much dependant on the tide level. The route takes you over the hills above Brenfield and Ardrishaig, with some fast varied riding, to the beach at Lochgilphead. A fast canter / gallop over the sands takes you to the water's edge. Depending on the level of the tide we then either exit the beach just before the village of Ardrishaig, or enter the water at a canter, slowing down as the water deepens, before the horses finally launch out into a swim, heading for the Ardrishaig shore. Once landed, we go to the local pub for lunch, or a light evening meal, leaving the horses suitably watered and fed in the carpark. After our meal we head back to the hills and Brenfield. Depending on how long we take in the pub(!) we aim to be back at Brenfield around six hours after our departure time.
We recommend booking the beach gallop at least a fortnight in advance, they are totally dependant on the tide. We try to run as many of these rides as possible as they are very popular and therefore book up quickly. We aim to add additional Beach Gallops throughout the season, so please keep checking back for the latest available dates.
£125 per person, includes lunch
Picnic Ride (Beginner-Very Experienced)
A gentle ride leaving Brenfield at around 10:30am, we've found this ride is especially suited to families and groups of varying experience. We ask you to bring along your own picnic which is safely stored in saddle bags on your horse (we advise against anything too squashy and sticky!). The ride weaves up through the tracks above Brenfield to a pleasant picnic spot. After eating lunch, making sure that your horse or pony gets a nibble, we make our way back to the farm, arriving around 2:30pm.
Please book at least 48hrs in advance to avoid disappointment.
£75 per person
Swim Ride (Beginner-Very Experienced)
Another gentle ride suitable for riders of all experiences. We set off from Brenfield around 10:30am and make our way over the hills and tracks above the farm heading South. We cross the road at Inverneil and make our way onto the beach where the horses can paddle and swim in the water. We aim to be back at the farm for around 1:30pm.
Please book at least 48hrs in advance to avoid disappointment.
£70 per person
Lead by Parent (Children 8yrs and under)
For kids under 8yrs old, parents can take one of our sensible and reliable ponies and lead their child out and around the tracks above Brenfield. This is a perfect introduction to horses and riding for a young child - the only problem arising when they have to get off at the end of the ride!
These rides last for 30 minutes and can be arranged at a time to suit most days. Please book at least 24hrs in advance to avoid disappointment.
30 minutes - £15 per person
Lessons (Beginner-Very Experienced)
We can arrange anything from 30 minute lessons in our outdoor school for the complete beginner, to full days of Le TREC training with the year 2000 Le TREC World Champion.
Price on application, lessons are tailored to suit your needs. Please phone us to discuss your requirements.
Back to top Photographs by Jonathan McMeekin.
Safety
By its nature, riding is a strenuous demanding activity that requires the participants to be alert and in good health. Such conditions are necessary to safeguard the welfare of the horses and to ensure your personal safety, together with the safety of other riders, bystanders and property. Bearing this in mind you are, before you ride, required to bring to our attention, details of any ailment, injury, (previous or existing), disability or other medical condition either personal or relating to a member of a group for which you may be responsible, which may affect, interfere with, or cause a problem during the forthcoming riding activity Such information must be given regardless of whether you or the person concerned believe the condition or ailment to be of no significance. Please also indicate your riding standard as defined below, with other details you may like to add.
Your attention is also drawn to the fact that a significant proportion of the riding activities may occur over rough, uneven and sometimes steep ground, and therefore greater vigilance and attention to instruction is necessary. Smoking in and around the stables, and on horseback is prohibited, as is the use of mobile phones on horseback unless with the specific agreement of the ride leader.
We sincerely hope that the above conditions do not in any way spoil or detract from your ride, however before mounting any horse under the control of Argyll Trail Riding, or Castle Riding Centre, and or participating in any activity offered by Brenfield Activities, you are required to acknowledge having read and understood the above safety conditions, and that you participate in these activities at your own risk, by signing below, or in the safety book at the riding centre.
Riding Abilities
Beginner - Someone who has never ridden, or ridden once or twice.
Novice - Someone who has ridden before, can walk with confidence and has experienced some trotting.
Intermediate - Someone who is competent and capable of performing a rising trot, and who has experienced some cantering and able to apply correct aids to guiding and stopping the horse.
Experienced - Someone who is competent and capable of a canter, and who has performed some galloping and jumping using correct aids.
V.Experienced - Someone who is competent and capable and can demonstrate the correct aids in all disciplines of horsemanship including jumping, and who is comfortable riding a forward going horse.