Previous riders in the North Cotswolds
The North Cotswolds is the oldest and one of the most popular Bridle Rides networks. If you've ridden it recently with us, send us your photos, stories and tips and we'll put them up here for you.
Sandra Matthews & Kate Merry - April 2008
The photo above is of Sandra and her horse, Jack, gazing at the view from the top of Brailes Hill. In the one on the right, Kate and her Fell pony, Penny, are following an old bridle-track called Ditchedge Lane near Sibford Ferris.
The girls booked a one-centre holiday at Sibford Ferris, which is also an overnight stop on the 2 and 3-day place to place rides in the estern half of the network.
Kate e-mailed after the end of the ride to say "We had a fantastic ride a week ago. Our host, Bryony, was amazing - we didn't realise we'd get 5-star meals! The whole family were great, and I'd really recommend their venue to anyone. We loved the beautiful countryside and the riding was ideal - just what we asked for - and we were incredibly lucky with the weather, Penny and Jack (the horses) went well together and were fine in the field. Bryony went to a lot of trouble to get the grazing right as have a Fell who would happily make herself ill demolishing a whole field!"
Caroline Dew - September 2007
Caroline booked a last minute one centre holiday with two friends and e-mailed us afterwards, saying "Just to say thank you for a very well organised break at Banbury Hill Farm. Horses and riders all had a wonderful time - we will definitely be back for some more. The only very small problem was that one or two of the gates weren't very horse friendly - however, horses and riders managed admirably. "
The photo on the left is of Caroline and her friends eating their lunch (left). They opted to take a pack-lunch from their hosts rather than visiting a pub - which some riders prefer because their horses can graze.

On the right is an atmosperic shot taken in a stubble field.

These fords are at Cleveley, near Enstone (the smaller one on the left) and Stonesfield (on the right). Stonesfield Ford is one of the biggest on any of the Bridle Rides networks, although it is on an optional diversion.
Lynn Christian and Anita Randall - May 2005
"My friend, Lynne Christian, and I thoroughly enjoyed our Bridle Rides holiday taken in the North Cotswolds in May this year. I thought you might like to see the attached photo of myself and my horse, Mo (Just a Moment) taken on the green petal ride from Banbury Hill Farm. The scenery was beautiful, the sun was shining and it was a perfect day." (Anita Randall)
(The "green petal ride" is available from our one-centre holiday in the eastern / Oxfordshire side of the network , between Chipping Norton and Charlbury).
Louise Heeley & Amanda Hewitt - May 2005
Amanda e-mailed us to say "Louise and I stayed at Banbury Hill Farm. We had a wonderful time - the accommodation and food were superb, the weather was magnificent, the local pubs were very nice and the food was excellent. The 2 petal rides were breathtaking (!), and the horses and us thoroughly enjoyed them. I would recommend the ride to everyone! PS - I have just got some pictures of our holiday, please can you show them!"
The photo above is of Amanda's horse, Rodney Trotter (Roddy for short) standing patiently at the farm waiting to start the day's ride. Roddy is an 8 year old ID x TB gelding, who at 17.1 hands is much bigger then Louise's horse, Jack!
The one on the left is of Louise riding Beachwood Black Jack (Jack for short), her 15.1 hand 9 year old black Welsh Cob gelding, with beautiful scenery near Heythrop Park behind her.
Amanda enjoyed her ride so much that she booked another one in Cranborne Chase later in the year.
Jo Hansell & Sonia Lowe - June 2003
Jo and Sonia chose our one-centre holiday at Naunton near Stow-on-the-Wold for their very first Bridle Ride. Sonia attached a note to her feedback form saying "Just writing to let you know we had a lovely time last weekend". The girls made very few comments on the form and finished by saying "the route guides were very well put together. A lot of hard work, I bet!".

(We think we should point out that Sonia from Bromsgrove, Worcs. is a personal friend of Bobbie, the Bridle Rides MD - so she's probably biased!)
The photo above is a back view of Sonia riding her pony, Libby, through one of the pretty Cotswold villages in the area. Jo took the photo from horseback - which is why you can see Blackie's ears in the foreground!

We love the photo on the right of Jo and Blackie having lunch at the Puesdown Inn. They obviously have a very close, loving relationship!