Equestrian Venues in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland produces good horses and good riders, well out of proportion to its size. The province has a strong showjumping tradition and has sent more than its share of riders to the top of the sport, and that competitive culture runs through the yards. Saddl lists 16 venues across Northern Ireland, 9 BHS-approved. The riding country is varied for a small area: the Mourne Mountains in the south, the Sperrins in the west, the Glens and coast of Antrim in the north east, and good farmland in between. Hunting and jumping lead the way, with cross-country and trekking adding to the mix, and the going on the lower hills and farmland rides well. Hacking is quiet and often very beautiful, particularly along the Antrim coast and in the Mournes. Costs for lessons and keeping a horse are reasonable. For beginners there's a solid base of accredited schools. For competition riders, the local standard in jumping is high and the knowledge in the yards reflects it. For visitors, the scenery makes a riding holiday here genuinely memorable.