Tuesday 25 May 2010

Horseriding at Drapia Farm, Cyprus

On saturday, I went horseriding at Drapia Farm in Cyprus. It was my birthday treat organised by my lovely fiance. Unfortunately, I think I may have given him the impression that I was a more experienced rider than I am.

We turned up to Drapia Farm in Kalavassos on saturday morning and were greeted by a couple of young girls. To be honest they weren't the most friendly bunch. I explained that I am not a very experienced rider. I swiftly found myself on a horse with very little guidance. From the start, I had a bit of a bad feeling about my horse as she kept wondering off and ignoring me when I pulled on her reins. Our "instructor" left me alone with my horse and on her return, I asked her for some help. I think German was her first language and I didn't really understand her english. There was no explanation of the trail we would be following or anything like that. Our instructor rode ahead with a friend and we were left behind slightly clueless as to where we going or what we were supposed to be doing.

It all seemed to be going pretty well. Then I suddenly found myself sprawled on the floor in agony. It turned out that our horses had been given a fright from a rock falling off the cliff next to us. Falling of a horse is really scary and very painful. Luckily, I didn't hurt myself too badly. I have some very bad bruises and for a few days I had a sore back and neck.

To be fair, accidents happen with horses and when you get on a horse, you take the risk that you might fall off it. However, for the amount it costs to go riding at Drapia Farm, I think the service was pretty poor. It doesn't cost much to be friendly and give a little bit of proper tuition. I certainly wouldn't ride with them again and I wouldn't recommend riding with them unless you are very experienced.

12 comments:

  1. Oh no! That sounds awful! I hope your birthday wasn't ruined!

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  2. I have been riding at Drapia, and found them to be very good. I am an experienced rider and would say that the area they ride in is not for novice riders, so I think people need to be honest about their riding ability. The lady that runs the stables is very clear that novice riders do not hack out on first attempt, but if the rider states they are more experience than they are they cannot be held responsible for that can they? I am sure if you had asked for tuition and explained you were not as experienced as first mentioned they would have been only too happy to help.
    I am sorry you had a bad experience but I can assure you it is a one off and as you have said horseriding is a dangerous sport and you have to be very clear what you are letting yourself in for. A horse is not somethng you can just jump on and expect it to behave as a car, they have a mind of their own, even the best of them I am afraid.
    Please do not judge Drapia farm by this one occassion, I think they are great.

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  3. Did you read my post? I quote "I explained that I am not a very experienced rider. "

    I also asked for tuition right at the start of the ride and was just told to keep my back straight.

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  4. Hi I was thinking of riding with them. They clearly state on their website that they have a package for begginner riders. Now I am not so sure about whether to book with Drapia Farm...

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  5. Sigh...I think with any animal, especially if you are going to ride them, you should have someone who really knows what they are doing and really help and make sure you know what you are doing so that you and the animal are safe and comfortable with each other.
    I once volunteered at a horse ranch to clean stables and the horses were really beautiful but when scared, so dangerous. I was so scared while cleaning their stalls that they would kick me with their hooves bc that one horse and the horse in the next stall kept fighting with each other. o.o but, they are beautiful and sensitive creatures that should be in the care of people who can really care for them and those who ride them.

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  6. You lucky, lucky girl you. I am sooooo jealous. Will visit for more!

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  7. Following! As promised on my post on the Etsy forum!

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  8. Your post made us feel like we were there with you. Glad you are ok.
    Also enjoyed your post about the roses.

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  9. oh wow - hope you're okay! I love riding horses too, and your post sounded like that could've been me lol! Havent been riding in years, but boy would I love to do it again.

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  10. How awful that your birthday treat was not as much fun as you deserved! I agree with you that a business involving people should ensure that their staff have good people skills and the fact you feel you were not cared for after a fall suggests that more could have, and should have, been done for you - the offer of another gratis ride at some later date would have been the decent thing to do. Businesses should seek to maintain the goodwill of their customers. Glad you are feeling better now!

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  11. I wanna try horse riding and other awesome adventures during luxury holidays in Cyprus. It's a beautiful place.

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  12. Drapia have now got a new, english riding instructor. Those that cannot ride are taken out on a lead rope and walked. Those that can ride get to enjoy the fabulous countryside around kalavassos and up into the mountains. I have ridden there many times and still recommend to my friends

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