Down Under Riding Adventures
If you want to do more than just ride with Australian tack, consider booking an Australian riding adventure. Using local mounts that are familiar with the terrain, you'll experience Australia the way few tourists do: on the back of a horse.
When planning your trip, think about your riding abilities and whether your skills are suited to the particular ride. Riding-tour companies can help you decide which trip is right for you based on your riding experience. Here's a sampling to get you started.
Australian Beach & Bush Ride. This luxurious seven-day riding vacation is headquartered in Noosa, on the subtropical coast of Queensland. You'll ride through the area's mountain trails and rainforest as you take in spectacular views of the Australian coast. You'll also have the chance to ride along the beach near the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island.
Contact: Cross Country International, P.O. Box 1170, Millbrook, NY 12545; (800) 828-8768 or (845) 635-2200; www.equestrianvacations.com.
EquiTrek Australia. This Aussie outfitter offers a number of rides in the Land Down Under. These include four different four- to seven-day rides in Kimberley; four rides around New South Wales; a trek through the Snowy Mountains; and a jaunt on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland and North of Cairns.
Contact: EquiTrek Australia, 5 King Road, Ingleside NSW 2101, Australia; (61-2) 9913 9408; www.equitrek.com.au.
Hidden Trails. You've got plenty of Australian rides to choose from with Hidden Trails. This riding vacation company offers riding adventures in New South Wales, including the Comboyne Plateau Ride, the Snowy Mountains Lodge Ride, Snowy Mountains Camping, and the Bushranger Ride. In Victoria, equestrians can go on the Bogong High Plains ride, while those wishing to see Western Australia can tour the coast on horseback. For those who prefer to stay in one place rather than trek, the company offers a quieter holiday at a Queensland Outback ranch.
Contact: Hidden Trails, 659A Moberly Rd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V5Z 4B3; (888) 987-2457 or (604) 323-1141; www.hiddentrails.com.
Horse Trek Australia. This 21-day ride includes treks through Australia's Snowy Mountains. As you ride along the sometimes steep and rocky trails, you'll visit sites featured in the film, The Man From Snowy River. The ride includes some nights camping and other nights in hotels, and ends in Fiji with a sailboard and snorkeling adventure.
Contact: Lari Shea's Ricochet Ridge Ranch, 24202 North Highway One, Fort Bragg, CA 95437; (888) 873-5777 or (707) 964-7669; www.horse-vacation.com.
AUSSIE RESOURCE GUIDE Saddles, Tack, & Accessories
The Australian Connection (800) 847-8521; www.theaustralianconnection.us
The Australian Stock Saddle Co. (818) 889-6988: www.aussiesaddle.com
Bates Australia (877) 927-4337: www.batesaustralia.com.au
Cariboo Outback Saddles & Supplies (866) 832-3565: www.outbacksaddles.com
Down Under Saddle Supply, Inc. (800) 395-8225: www.downunderweb.com
Frontier Equestrian (417) 394-2298: www.frontierequestrian.com
JeffersEquine (800) 533-3377: www.jeffersequine.com
Kate's Saddle Supply (303) 841-6770; www.kates.net: www.loristack.com
OrthoFlex Saddleworks Inc. (501) 375-7822; www.ortho-flex.com
Sportack (800) 248-TACK [8225]: www.sportack.com
Syd Hill & Sons/Outback Ranch (800) 686-1417: www.sydhillsaddles.com
Zilco www.zilco.com.au
Apparel
Australian Stockman Outfitters (800) 737-1673
Best of Downunder Ltd. www.bestofdownunder.com
Cariboo Outback Saddles & Supplies (250) 620-3678: www.outbacksaddles.com
Classic Country Comforts (888) 228-9970: www.classiccountrycomforts.com
Down Under Saddle Supply, Inc. (800) 395-8225: www.downunderweb.com
Driza-Bone www.drizabone.com.au
Kakadu Traders Australia (800) 852-5288: www.kakaduaustralia.com
Outback Trading Co. Ltd. (610) 932-5141: www.outbacktrading.com
Fleece
Aussie Skins Direct/Sheepskin Express Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.aussieskinsdirect.com
Cariboo Outback Saddles & Supplies (250) 620-3678: www.outbacksaddles.com
Chicks Saddlery www.chicksaddlery.com/tackshop/
Down Under Saddle Supply, Inc. (800) 395-8225: www.downunderweb.com
Fleeceworks (760) 788-5949: www.fleeceworks.com
Four Winds Saddle Tack Store (800) 498-0767: www.fourwinds.net/
Freedom Rider www.freedomrider.com
Frontier Equestrian (417) 394-2298: www.frontierequestrian.com
Jeffers Equine (800) 533-3377: www.jeffersequine.com
Just Merino Sheepskin Products (800) 324-WOOL [9665]: www.justmerinosheepskin.com, www.jmsproductsusa.com
Lori's Tack www.loristack.com
Long Riders Gear (888) 420-GEAR [4327]: www.longridersgear.com
Stagecoach West (800) 648-1121: www.equineusaonline.com
