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Date: April, 2010 From: Susie Carswell Dear Heather, Pete and Alex Just want to say thank you so much for a fantastic trek last month. You all made the 4 days very memorable and really appreciate all your efforts, particularly when it was only myself on the trek. Mouse was a great little horse to ride and it was so nice to escape to the country and ride in such gorgeous scenery with brilliant weather and entertaining company! The rest of my trip in New Zealand was lots of fun but unfortunately I am now back in Scotland and having to work far too hard again! So nice to meet you all and if you're ever in Edinburgh give me a shout and I will show you around! Thank you so much Heather and Pete and Alex.
Date: 1 January, 2010 From: Louise Farac, Australia Wow! What an amazing experience - I'm still buzzing about it. I had the very best time on my four day trek for so many reasons. First and foremost it has to be the people - what amazing and lovely people the Hurunui horse people are as well as the fantastic and welcoming extended team that put us up each evening and packed our lunches for the next day. It was like being part of a family. Then there are the horses. Such wonderfully trained animals! I have so much love for the horse I rode and for her patience with me as I learned to be a better rider. Heather and Pete are just the most magnificent horse people. They so obviously love and respect their animals and the horses clearly know this. And not to forget the stunning countryside we rode through. This is NZ at its finest and I am absolutely coming back! Thank you so much Heather and Pete and Alex.
Date: 8 November, 2009 From: Russell Stewart, Auckland, NZ As promised, I returned to complete the trek that had to be shortened due to very heavy rain in April. This time the weather was fine and sunny. I joined an American couple for three days around Lakes Sumner, Taylor, Shepherd, Mason and Loch Katrine. The scenery was magnificent and each day brought a new experience. We crossed the Hurunui river twice (fastest flowing river in NZ), climbed through native beech forests, descended and climbed extremely steep slopes (not for the fainthearted!) and passed around the beautiful lakes. My horse, Lady Jamaica or 'Jam' for short was very even natured and incredibly sure footed. If Heather and Jam were prepared to do something - so was I! The evenings were spent at the Lake Taylor station homestead where a warm welcome and a glass of wine awaited us from Dave and Rosemary, the station owners. Rosemary's meals equalled any that might be served in a top city restaurant. A great end to a great day! Heather is a wonderful horsewoman who has a great knowledge of the high country. Her partner, Pete, is highly regarded as a high country station manager. Together, they make a great team who ensure that each trek is a great success. I would highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys trekking on horseback".
Date: 9 September, 2009 From: Stephanie Smith I left Luxembourg in April to travel to New Zealand and embark on a "High Country" experience. Having traveled to South Africa twice before, it was time for a complete new change of scenery. I certainly found it in New Zealand with Hurunui Trails and Adventures. Good food, comfortable beds, meeting locals, summer, winter and autumn all in one week. You couldn´t have a better experience.
From: Sadie & Paul, Ireland You always know when you've had a good holiday when you are still talking about it three months later ... Having been on riding trips all over the world (England, Ireland, Canada, USA, South Africa, Botswana & Australia,) my husband and I looked forward to the Hurunui trip with the usual anticipation ... Will the horses be good? What will the guides/other guests be like? Will we have enough to eat? Will there be lots to see? We needn't have worried; this was one of the best trips we had ever been on! The horses were outstanding, brave, forward-going, well trained and fit (very fit)!!! I rode "Eire" a pretty grey Connemara later nicknamed "Barbie's horse" by my fellow travellers, but I didn't mind - at least I stood out in pictures!!! My husband rode the lovely Hui - a big handsome Cleveland Bay who motored up every mountain he came across. Our trip was guided by Heather & Peter (Pete is the owner of Hurunui Trails & Adventures). We couldn't have imagined a better duo - their knowledge of the region and their horse & culinary skills were second to none. We learnt so much on this trip and had an enormous amount of fun doing so. The scenery we experienced was incredible, ever-changing (sometimes several times a day); shifting between rugged mountains, dense forests, wide open flats, stunning lakes & fast flowing rivers. There were many high points - too many to mention in detail, but I think swimming with the horses in Lake Mason was everyone's favourite, closely followed by Boulder Gulley (there is a reason I don't have any pictures of Boulder Gulley)!!! This trip will be in our memories forever; we met the most amazing people, rode fantastic horses through awe-inspiring scenery, ate great food, learned about life in the back country and developed friendships that will last a lifetime. Thank you for a great adventure!
From: Russell Stewart, NZ Well - where to start! Great guide, great horse, great farmstays and superb scenery! I have just finished the 5 day Station to Station ride - although it had to be shortened due to the weather turning really bad - but I will be back to do another ride! Heather is a very experienced horsewoman. She is great company and has the best schooled horses that I have ever had anything to do with. They are a pleasure to ride. She and her partner Pete, who has ridden since he was two and manages a local sheep station; make a great team who really make an effort to ensure that it is an enjoyable experience. The evenings spent with local farmers were most enjoyable - nice people and great food. The South Island scenery is unbeatable - even on a dull day - it is stunning! All in all, this was one of life's great experiences - I will be back.
Thank you Heather and Pete!
From: Paul Poux, USA Dear Heather I apologize for being so late in thanking you all for such a wonderful trip I had in January. People are amazed by the photos, here they are! I hope you like them. Thanks to all for your warm welcome - it was a great experience. Perhaps we will be able to meet up again soon ! Stay in touch.
Date: January 4, 2008 Thanks so much for the trip. I had a wonderful time. The welcome festive dinner at Heather's was particularly lovely.
I had an awesome time!
From: Dale Philpott Dear Heather, The Hurunui Horse Trek is not only about the horses, it is about having the stunning scenery to your self.The engaging and diverse personalities on the ride and the bonds you form, to bring momentous memories of a unique high country experience.After having spent some of my time as a teenager in the high country of Central Otago it brought back all I loved about that rugged country. Kind Regards Dale Philpott.
From: Anne Thorne I had a great time riding with you and really enjoyed myself. I loved the riding, my horse RED, the guides were fantastic, accommodation and food good. I would love to come again with you and if I am lucky enough to return to NZ I will want to ride and this time for longer. Hope you all have a great season, I would love to be there! Many thanks.
Article: Riding high in New Zealand
Horse and Hound's intrepid news editor finds out what it's like to ride deep into the high country of New Zealand's South Island.
From: Elizabeth-Kate Gulland Hello everyone, I have been wanting to write with thanks since the wonderful 'the Hurunui' ride I was on from 17-24 April last year. I had an amazing New Zealand trip, and the Hurunui ride was the absolute highlight. Even all these months later, I still get fantastic flashbacks, and I'm sure that everyone around me wonders why I've got a huge grin on my face for no apparent reason. Except for those who know full well because I keep telling them! I was with a great bunch of other holiday-makers, and Sandy was a fantastic guide. We found out heaps from Kevin, and had a great time with Pat and the station families as well. And I hardly need to add that Spike is the best horse - it beats me how you match horses to riders so well! PS The photos don't nearly do it justice! I wish I could have managed a photo of the incredible Boulder Gully, but was too busy riding ... I have one of Justa looking for a handout from Al, one of Sandy and Spot pointing out the first station, one of me on Spike with some of the others behind us, one of Lucy in front of the perfectly mirrored Lake Taylor, and an action series of Spike being extremely patient while I tried to reach high enough to put his saddle on!
From: Phil Burton and Linda Findlay Both Linda and I would like to thank you so much for one of the most wonderful experiences either of us have ever had. Since we booked our trek with you guys many months ago we had both looked forward to it with eager anticipation and excitement and you did not fail to deliver, in fact our trip really surpassed our expectations ten-fold. We have both travelled overseas but nothing we have seen can come close to sheer rugged beauty and majesty of the hills and mountains that we have here in our beautiful country. It is such a shame that many more New Zealanders don't bother to look in their backyard. The horses and guides we had on our trek obviously come straight out of the top draw as they were all excellent and great fun to be with and we feel that this is what made our trek so special for us. We have many wonderful photos (120) after we sorted them from the 205 that we took and I have attached a couple that you might like to see. Once again thank you so much. PS Like Arny said "we will be back".
From: Cathy Siegismund An online journal from the travellers on Felicity, a 31' sailboat from Seattle that has cruised across the Pacific. "Cathy has kept a journal of our travels including lots (and lots!) of pictures. The journal covers our trip from Seattle to Mexico and across the Pacific to New Zealand and Australia following the traditional Coconut Milk Run." Read about their adventures with Hurunui Horse Treks Date: February 2002 From: Kath Moore (UK) Sitting in an English pub on Saturday evening, rain pouring outside, threats of black ice on the radio, I was regaling some friends with the exploits of my 4-day trek. They are not the first to hear the tale - and each time it's been recounted I've vowed to write and thank you. Personally I've always been a bit dubious of the gushing holiday testimonials that appear at the end of websites and brochures, but I can understand why yours say what they do. It was the highlight of my month's stay. It fed my soul as well as refreshing my spirit and I came back a healthier, more grounded woman all round. So thank you. And please say hi and thanks to Larney, who made the trip what it was.
From: John Bassili Well I'm back from my 10 day horse trek, safely, in one piece, refreshed and surprisingly fit, not tired or sore at all. I took plenty of photos and made some very good and I hope long lasting friends - and NO, I did not fall off my horse. I recommend this holiday to anyone. (I got back last Sunday night 24th February, but was busy catching up at work etc..). I did the eight-day nine-night, "Hurunui" Horse Trek, from 15-24 February. WOW!! IT WAS FANTASTIC, just as I expected and much more, extremely invigorating. I loved every minute of it, from the first quiet, get to know each other, “Dinner” we all had together at the Hurunui Hotel to the last raucous, farewell “Dinner” we all had, again at the Hurunui Hotel. The horses were great, the scenery varied and unbelievably beautiful and the company very congenial. New Zealand truly is “Godzone” (God's own country). Read more of John's letter here "By far the most professional, well run, hospitable centre for trekking I have ridden with. Many thanks." Freddie Law-Turner England "Awesome trip, enjoyed every challenge, took horses to places I thought they couldn't handle and they did with ease.Very professionally organized - we'll be back!" Frank & Tanya Gerrits Kuakapakapa, New Zealand "Everything was fantastic, like a fairy tale! Thanks for the great weather too! Magnifico!" Daniela Francovicchio Italy "Awesome time, gob smacking scenery! Didn't know horses could do mountain goat!!" Bridget Wheeler Herts. UK "Thanks guys for an amazing trip. I had an absolute ball! Sandy and Brenna were awesome guides." Michelle Dunn Australia "Tremendous adventure, spectacular scenery, wonderful horses and guides!! Superlatives galore!" Sonia Clifford UK "This was the scenic trip of a lifetime! Great horses, great company and a wonderful country!" Maureen Lynch Wilton, CT. USA "Great horses, excellent guides, beautiful scenery and a good group! More than I had hoped for." Jack Barnsley Whistler, B.C "Really nice trek! Beautiful surrounding and really relaxing! Awesome!" Anna Nilsson & Dina Nyman Sweden "Always wanted to do something like this and it went well beyond my expectations. Lost for words. Thank you for a great experience." Peter Woodley Sydney, Australia "Amazing trek, lovely horses, wonderful guides, I will never forget it." Sandra Snyders Germany Hi I am writing to thank you very much for the two-day trek we went on in early January. Andrew and I thoroughly enjoyed the two days and were very impressed with the horses and how well you cared for them. Our guide Sandy was fantastic and looked after us superbly. We loved the scenery in the area and are looking forward to coming back for another trek in the near future. Thank you once again Jacqui and Andrew van Herpt January 2004 “Still on a high 2 weeks later! What can I say, as long as my eyes were open there was a fantastic view, one of the things that I enjoyed so much was watching the packhorses.”
Sitting in an English pub on Saturday evening, rain pouring outside, threats of black ice on the radio, I was regaling some friends with the exploits of my 4 day Seaward River trek. They are not the first to hear the tale - and each time it's been recounted I've vowed to write and thank you. Personally I've always been a bit dubious of the gushing holiday testamonials that appear at the end of websites and brochures, but I can understand why yours say what they do. It was the highlight of my month's stay. It fed my soul as well as refreshing my spirit and I came back a healthier, more grounded woman all round. So thank you. And please say hi and thanks to Larney, who made the trip what it was. Cheers Kath Moore (UK) February 2002 'Damn good ride!' Bev. Williams, Norwich,VT, USA 'A fantastic experience, with great horses and very professional guides' Gary Williams, Otaki. NZ "So many adventures before you get your cup of tea at the end of the day, perfect organisation, thank you." Anke Stadtlander, Germany 'My third trek with Hurunui and another great adventure.' Grahame Willis, Wellington, New Zealand 'Thanks guys - simply the best in every way, the guides, the food, the mind blowing landscapes, the unforgetable huts, the luxurious farmstay, the hilarious and terrific bunch of people on the trip, last and not least - my fabulous little horse Pearl, I'll be back.' Jo McColl, Auckland, New Zealand 'Everything I had hoped and more. Not only wonderful, healthy horses, but exceedingly nice people!! Thank you.' B.J. Skilling, USA 'Beyond my wildest dreams - every day exciting, beautiful and spine tingling! What more can I say except thank you - all of you.' Olivia Heywood, United Kingdom 'The most fun I have ever had in my life without being drunk!' Mark Turner, Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom 'Words really can't describe this incredible trip. It has to be experienced, I loved it.' Frank Levinson, Adventures on Horseback, Makawao, Maui, Hawaii 'Excellent!!! Great experience and a lot of fun. Never expected horses to go where we went and the scenery was gorgeous!! Thanks for extraordinary hospitality and everything else.' Heike Diekmann, Konstanz, Germany 'Thank you for bringing me to places where such visions abound, where time lets go and allows the sounds of silence to touch the very depths of ones being.' Ann Cinque, Boyds, Maryland, USA 'Es war eine Reitwoche durch die reine Natur, ich freue mich schon auf den nachsten Treck.' Rudolf Waleczka, Austria If you've been on one of our treks and would like to submit your own testimonial please click here to send it through. |
