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Boysie
16hh
11 years old
I’ve been with the family the longest. I came originally from Ireland and Tanya always says that I am worth my weight in gold – I try very hard to live up to this
and look forward to showing you the beautiful countryside. |
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Seamus
15.3hh
11 years old
I’ve been with Tanya since she bought me as a 4 year old in Ireland to compete in England. I am very special and if you get to ride me you are very lucky. |
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Bel Or de Laumière
16.2hh
17 years old
I was born at the Chateau and have stayed on to show every one else how we do things in France. It’s pretty good here with this English family you know. |
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Ayva 13yrs
16.2hh
14 years old
"I have been with the family since April 2005. I really love my work and have nearly left for England about half a dozen times with guests who wanted to take me home but I was too big for their suitcases!" |
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Mandrin (Manny)
16hh
8 years old
I am an ex-trotter and was in a pretty bad condition when Tanya saw me at a French horse fair. She brought me home with her and gave me lots of love and attention. She thinks I have adapted very well to my new life and I really couldn't be happier. I am fit and healthy and now love to give everyone a fun ride no matter what age or ability. |
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Mimisicu (Mimi)
15hh
8 years old
I’m described as the 3 B’s ( Big, Black & Beautiful ) I joined the team with Nao because our breed is renowned for its strength and reliability. We are Merens and come originally from the Pyrenees. |
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Nao
15hh
7 years old
Mimi is not my sister but we grew up together and when Tanya came to buy Mimi she thought I was so beautiful she bought me as well. Along with Bel Or we are great for encouraging you to practice your French, but our English is improving. |
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Mollie
15.2hh
8 years old
I came to Laumière in 2006. I am half sister to Mimi - we share the same dad, and Nao - we both have the same mum, so we Merens are a very happy family. |
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Touman
14.3hh
7 years old
Affectionately known as Trevor because for the first weeks until my papers arrived Tanya couldn't remember my name! I am the pony who rides like a little horse because not everyone likes to ride in the clouds. |
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Peaches
13hh
10 years old
The original ‘My Little Pony’ kind and pretty. |
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Murphy
13.2hh
10 years old
Yes, you guessed – I’m from Ireland! I’ve been with Tanya since I was 4 and she says that if only everyone could start off on a pony like me the world would be full of happy riders. |
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Quest
14.3hh (still growing!)
4 years old
My name is Question because I'm supposed to be a Merens but nobody knows how I got to be this colour. Tanya broke me in (not that I put up any kind of a struggle) this summer. I love being ridden, but I am really excited about going to the Haras National to be broken in to harness. Watch this space. |
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Hope
Born May 30th, 2005
I am the result of a very successful experiment. A new breed called the "Merab". My daddy was a stunning Merens and as you can see mummy (Lucy the Arab) is not bad either. At almost three I am told that I have grown into a very pretty, promising little horse. I am Tanya's next challenge. |
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Luciole
15hh
12 years old
As you know my main responsibility is to contribute to the team of tomorrow. Here is 'Tots', my second addition, she loves to show off so why don't you come and meet her. |
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Top Tottie
Born May 25th, 2007
My daddy, Favory XVII (a descendant of one of the original Lipizaner stallions) is really gorgeous and for the last three months I have been practicing my flying changes and extended trot mixed in with wild bucks and rears so that I can audition for the Spanish Riding School's next performance. A quality foal I am and don't I know it! |
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Once you have arrived at Laumiere, we know you’ll be keen to see the horses. So as soon as you’re settled, you can make your way to the stables to meet the team of equines who’ll be your companions for the duration of your holiday.
After this, please join us for an aperitif before a delicious home-cooked dinner, where we can properly welcome you to Chateau de Laumiere and you’ll know your French riding holiday has truly begun! |
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Horse Riding
Our French horse riding holidays are organised around a relaxed schedule. You can ride in the mornings for around 3 hours and explore the vast expanse of beautiful and accessible French countryside. Most of the horse riding is on the charming Chemin Rurale (by-ways) which means virtually no cars, although the odd encounter with a French farmer and his herd of cows/sheep is not unheard of.
The farms here are very much homesteads – rather than huge acricultural concerns - with gorgeous rambling barns and quaint French features straight out of the pages of a magazine - and this makes the countryside we ride through immensely characterful and interesting. The nature of the terrain lends itself to riding at a relaxed pace so you can experience the beautiful scenery and wild life. However, there are plenty of opportunities for trotting and cantering and the horses are familiar with the routes, so they’re happy and interested to ride out.
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The ability to ride along for hours in a world of your own with no traffic, noise or people is something many riders in England can only dream about (as we did before coming to this magic place). You can follow a curve in the chemin and find yourself riding by a farmyard, or through a small hamlet, where anyone who happens to be around will take the time to smile and call out a greeting. You’ll find the local people friendly, gregarious and welcoming.
Here, time seems to almost stand still and you’ll feel the stresses and strains of everyday life just ebb away as you and your horse absorb the environment around you. You’ll discover picturesque farmland with small fields separated by pretty dry stone walls and mature woodland sloping gently upwards to open out onto scenic countryside that stretches forever to meet with clear blue skies. The only sounds being perhaps the call of a buzzard as it glides effortlessly, high above you.
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The many sights, sounds and scenes are all here for you to discover and we hope we’ve given you a flavour of what you’ll experience on your horse riding holiday at Chateau de Laumiere.
On arriving back at Laumiere, there will be a cool refreshing drink waiting for you, followed by a thoroughly decent lunch which is usually taken alfresco in a shady area of the garden. After this, the rest of the day is yours to relax in the grounds, set off to explore this outstanding area of France or more riding. |
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Tack, Riding & Horsemanship
All riding is with English tack. All our horses are well-schooled and adaptable. Groups can consist of between 2 and 6 riders and all riders need to feel confident on a horse outdoors. During your stay, please feel free to spend as much or as little time with your horse as you like - bringing in, grooming, tacking up, turning out - in general building up a relationship with him or her. If you’d like to learn more about natural horsemanship, or would like a riding lesson to brush up your skills, Tanya is always happy to arrange things to suit your needs.
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If you come as a non rider – whether you have never ridden before or just don’t feel confident enough to ride out in a group – and decide that you would perhaps like to have a go or build a bit of confidence whilst you are here, this can be arranged in the afternoons, and organised at any time during your stay with us (paid for separately at the time).
If you’re interested, Tanya can always be persuaded to show you the youngstock and explain the breeding programme. And don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the stunning native Merens ponies and learn more about their ancient history and heritage! |
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