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Boysie
16hh
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
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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Ayva
16.2hh
"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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Nao
15hh
I am a Merens and became part of the
Laumière team in 2005. I think
I am an excellent example of my breed
- safe, sensible and comfortable.
I am really looking forward to meeting
you! |
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Mollie
15.2hh
I followed Nao - my half sister, we
have the same mum- to Laumière in 2006.
Although at first I spoke only French
my English is now pretty good and I
am looking forward to sharing our beautiful
countryside with you. |
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Touman
14.3hh
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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Mac
16.2hh
Affectionately known as "the big
fella". I became a fully fledged
member of the team in the 2011 season
and coming from a successful endurance
background I find a mere 150 km a week
pretty easy going. I also enjoy my jumping
and schooling sessions. I'm a powerful
guy,I'm told I'm very comfortable and
I'm telling you that I'm very kind.
Message here for Sophie from Tanya "No
you can't take me home with you!" |
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Rocco
15hh
I am originally from Portugal and when
I made the move to France I really struck
gold and found the Laumiere family.
Tanya says she bought me because I have
bags of character and remind her of
a young Boysie. Boy are they some big
boots to fill but I'm doing my very
best to live up to her expectations.
Come on over and let me show you. |
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Jojo
15.2hh
I've been here for a while but just
never got around to posing for the photo!
Dressage, jumping, cross country and
hacking I do it all with a smile on
my face - and yes we horses do smile.
I'm so just right for this job - Rolls
Royce of an engine but controllable
and kind. |
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Hope
14.3hh
I finished my first season in 2011 and
passed every test with flying colours
- it was all so much fun. Roll on 2012!
Message from Tanya - "Hope was
our very first foal to be born at Laumiere
and we are all soooo proud of her. She
is a beautiful little horse with a wonderful
character" |
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Uplah
15hh
I was born here and am now getting ready
for my first season, I'm one of the
easiest horses Tanya has ever broken
(did it myself you know!) I'm fun, lovable
and very comfortable. If only all babies
were as easy going as me |
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Peaches
13hh
The original ‘My Little Pony’
kind and pretty. |
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Murphy
13.2hh
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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Charlie
13hh
I've retired from the hectic Pony Club
life I had in England and I much prefer
to chill out here. Throw in a bit of
hacking and paddling in the pond and
I'll do my best to please. |
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Luçiole
15hh
I am a pure bred Arab and have been
with the family since their first year
in France. My main responsibility here
is to contribute to the team of tomorrow
- this is a role I fulfill very happily
and have produced some amazing foals
several of which you will see when you
visit. |
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Daisy
14hh
I'm work in progress at present. I was
bred for endurance so I don't think
I'll be joining the team. I have amazing
speed and stamina so I think I'm more
suited to the job I was bred for rather
than having to wait for the oldies.
I'd quite like to try pony racing and
jumping as well. We will just have to
see how things go but with Tanya too
busy with the others to help me fulfill
my true potential I may be looking for
a new human soon |
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Aerial
.....hh
I was born in 2010. Mum the beautiful
Lucy and Dad, Djbel Lotois, a staggeringly
good looking Arab. Anyone reading the
blog will have seen me on arrival and
here is the eye catching filly I'm growing
into. I also was bred for endurance
but I'm much more chilled than my 1/2
sister Daisy. I've been told that I'm
very chic but I've got another year
before having to decide what I want
to be. Watch this space |
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Bitsy
10hh
I'm the resident lawnmower, companion
and Houdini. Yes Tanya I really did
jump that wall to escape. I did have
a laugh watching you go round and round
the field trying to find a gap where
I could have escaped from. Ha ha ha!!
By the way, I am not talking about the wall in this picture - it wasn't quite this big |
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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 which offers a completely
different ride
every day. You can ride in the mornings for around 3 hours and explore the vast expanse of some of the most beautiful and accessible French countryside. Most of the horse riding is on the charming Chemin Rurale (by-ways) of which the Lot region has a staggering 2000 kilometreswhich 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 magical 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 splendid Chateaux, grand Manor Houses, a 12th century Priory and 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 or a kite as they glide 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 8 riders and all riders need to feel confident on a horse outdoors at all 3 paces. 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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