Riding with Bespoke Equestrian Ireland
A guide to embarking on a solo equestrian vacation
Venturing out on an equestrian vacation by yourself may feel daunting. Whether you are planning your first ever solo trip, or are a regular traveller trying a new adventure, a flutter of nerves is completely normal!
Travelling solo doesn’t mean travelling alone, not when you ride with Bespoke Equestrian Ireland. Almost every week, riders arrive on their own in a Belfast or Dublin airport, curious, excited, and often a little nervous about stepping into a new adventure by themselves. But, by the end of their stay, those same riders are laughing around the table, swapping stories on the trail, and wondering why they ever worried.
Our rides are designed to make solo travellers feel instantly at ease. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a small, friendly group where everyone shares the same love of horses, nature, and authentic Irish hospitality. Safety is woven into every part of the experience, from our trusted drivers and accommodation hosts, and our team is right beside you, with our team a phone call or message away from the moment you touch down in Ireland, guiding, supporting, and making sure you feel confident both in the saddle and throughout your journey.
In this blog, you’ll hear directly from past solo riders who joined us on their own and left with new friends and unforgettable memories. Their stories say it better than we ever could.
Why solo riders choose us
Bespoke Equestrian Ireland and Sheans Horse Farm
For many solo travellers, the biggest worry isn’t the riding, it’s everything that happens around it. How will I get there? Will someone meet me? Will I feel out of place? At Bespoke Equestrian Ireland, we’ve shaped our entire experience to make those questions melt away long before you arrive.
From your very first email, you’re in direct contact with our team, who guide you through every step of planning your trip. We help with logistics, offer clear travel advice, and make sure you know exactly what to expect when you land in Ireland.
Whether you’re navigating airports, transfers, or simply wondering what to pack, you’re never left guessing.
Once you arrive, the support continues seamlessly. Our team are a message or phonecall away throughout your travels, assisting with transport to your accommodation, or even just to offer some reassurance.
When you arrive on our farm, you’re welcomed personally, introduced to the team, and given time to settle in and get to know your fellow riders before meeting your horse. Every rider is carefully matched to a horse that suits their ability and confidence level, and our guides stay close throughout the ride — offering encouragement, checking in, and making sure you feel secure both in and out of the saddle.
Our itineraries are designed with structure and safety at their core, without ever feeling rigid. You’ll always know what’s happening next, who’s leading the way, and how the day will unfold. And because our groups are small, you’re never just another face in the crowd.
When the riding day winds down, the camaraderie carries on, with our riders gathering for relaxed dinners, lively conversations, and traditional Irish music nights in local pubs.
Jessie’s Experience
“For anyone considering taking a solo trip this is the perfect one! Especially if it’s your first one ever.
This past summer I embarked on my first ever solo trip to Ireland and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had! I did the 4 day iconic ride with Bespoke Equestrian and had so much fun that I had to add a 5th day. This is the ideal trip for solo travelers because you’ll never feel lonely and this program helps keep the process simple and fun.
As a 25 year old first time solo traveler I was definitely nervous to travel alone but Bespoke made the experience super easy and fun. Since it’s a group trip, friends are basically built into the experience. Upon arrival you immediately meet everyone on your trip and make acquaintances over coffee and scones. When it comes to ice breaking activities, horses are definitely the best one! Additionally, the entire Bespoke team is incredibly friendly. Even if you’re scared you’ll get a bad group- which you won’t- the guides and hosts will become friends themselves. I’m still in contact with both people from my group and several of my guides online, 7 months later.
Planning a solo trip can be overwhelming, especially when it’s in a foreign country. I had never planned a trip before, let alone one in a country I’d never been to on the other side of the world. The Bespoke team was there for me every step of the way. They organized accommodation and transportation to and from the rides for me in addition to helping me organize airport transfers. The only thing I had to figure out on my own was dinners; however, after the first day they organized optional dinner reservations for my whole group so I only ate alone once.
If you’re considering taking a solo trip, DO IT! Especially if it’s your first ever time traveling alone. It is the perfect trip for a first time solo traveler and it will guarantee to change your life forever. I have since traveled alone several more times and will be chasing the feeling of that experience for the rest of my life. I cannot express the gratitude I have for this experience and highly recommend it to anyone who loves travel, adventure, and most of all, horses! For anyone looking to hear more about my experience you can contact me on Instagram or Tiktok @jessie.bright!” Click on the icons below to follow and contact Jessie.
Maria’s Experience
“I went on a riding holiday as a solo 24 year old woman this past summer and had the time of my life. I had dreamt about riding in Ireland and this was the most perfect way to do it with other experienced equestrians led by the most accommodating and enthusiastic staff. I think it’s important to go into it having confidence in traveling independently and having solo down time. It’s equally important to be open to bonding with the people in your group also experiencing the incredible adventures you are! I was part of mid-week start so I had a smaller group, but to my surprise a friendship started right away with the two women I spent the first day on the farm with. We then had dinner together and watched a hurling match in the evening. When you are on horseback it’s truly all about you and your mount, and I promise you’ll never forget them. It’s absolutely thrilling to gallop on the beaches of Northern Ireland and to miss that opportunity because you don’t have an equestrian travel partner would be a real shame. The guides are very friendly and will make you feel included the whole time. Plus they will take photos of you so you don’t even need a friend to do that! Everyone is there to have an exciting and joyful vacation, group lunches and excursions were so interesting because you get to laugh with, and learn about people you would’ve never met otherwise. I consider myself on the shy side and didn’t mind spending breakfast and some evenings alone, however it was easy to connect with people on the tour and there was a sense of camaraderie among the riders. I have absolutely no regrets about going solo on a Bespoke equestrian holiday!”
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