Previous riders in North West Norfolk
If you've ridden in Norfolk with Bridle Rides, send us your photos and stories and we'll put them up here for you
Joan Departe - May 2007
Joan and her friend, Pat, did a one-centre holiday at Harpley during Spring Bank Holiday week. Joan e-mailed afterwards "Just to let you know that we had the most enjoyable time - well worth the wait. The weather was near perfect with a bit of rain on the first day. As we didn't have to do too much travelling we were able to do the shortest ride on arrival - and on the morning of departure, we took the horses to Holkham Beach, which was only half an hour away".
In the picture on the left, Pat and Joan are having a pub lunch on the green outside the Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham.
These 3 photos are all of Joan variously near Bircham (left), on a typical two-wheeled track which could be almost anywhere on the network (right) and approaching the gates to Houghton Hall (below left). Pat obviously prefers to be behind the camera!
Joan is wearing a hi-viz tabard (hi-viz gear is always a good idea for bridle riding), and she has an interesting cantle bag with 2 water bottle holders, one on either side. She is also wearing a lightweight endurance hat, another great idea for riding in warm weather!
Will Fisher and Ellie Beatty - June 2007
The photos are of Ellie and her horse, Ollie - in close-up (left), tacked up and ready to set out her beach ride at Holkham (right) and in glorious isolation on the beach (below left), other than Will, who is behind the camera. Unlike most other non-riders, who go along on mountain bikes, Will accompanied Ellie on foot (so he must be pretty fit)!
We arranged a one-centre short break at Burnham Thorpe at short notice as a birthday present for Ellie, who said on the e-mail she sent with these photos "We had a fantastic time and can't wait to a) return and b) try another Bridle Rides location. Needless to say it was my best birthday present!" Will and Ellie also sent in a feedback form, commenting "excellent B&B with lovely hosts and a great breakfast" and telling us that the 2 petal rides they did were "fab! Please send us another brochure so we can plan our next trip. We'd like to do another one-centre holiday with stables. Many thanks ... Ellie & Will"
Lynette Ashworth - September 2005
Lynette, who rides with her grown up daughter, Tracey, sent us a Christmas card enclosing "a few photos of our super trip to Norfolk. You can see that we had a really great time, and the gentle terrain suited our older horses so well!"

The photo on the left is of Tracey on Henri, a chestnut TB. The ears in the foreground belong to Lynette's horse, Notable, an ex-Kings Troop horse. We chose it because it is shows a very typical Norfolk bridleway!

The picture on the right is of Lynette and Notable close to Lord Nelson's birthplace on the outskirts of Burnham Thorpe.
Gillian Pursey - July 2005
Gillian and her daughter, Nicola, opted for a two centre holiday plus an extra third day's beach ride at Holkham. The photo on the left was taken on the beach access road just before they headed out onto the sand!

Gillian, who did a 2-day place to place ride, commented on her feedback form that "overnight accommodation for Nicola and I at both places was excellent. Very good accommodation for the horses at Harpley, including Bridle Rides designated equipment". (We provide somewhere to store your tack plus non-heating coarse mix and a basic grooming kit at all our overnight stops).

Robert Lassen - Easter 2004
Robert e-mailed after his ride to say "I spent Easter with a group of friends at your Harpley venue. An excellent time was had by all, aided by super weather. The host was fabulous and the accommodation excellent for both horses and people. I enclose a photo of my horse Albert, who was also very relaxed!"
Editor's Note : In addition to our one centre holiday in Norfolk, we only have a handful of other hosts that can accommodate more than 3 or 4 horses and riders at the same time. Robert's party of eight was one of the biggest we've ever had - and most of the horses (including Albert) were experienced showjumpers who obviously enjoy turning their hooves to other activities!