Swimming Horses and More Cornish Riding Adventures
There are some truly exceptional places that seem to cast their spell on you and that have the power to call you to return. For me, Cornwall, England is one of those magical destinations. Whether it’s the rugged coastline, the picturesque fishing villages, or the tales of smugglers and Poldark there is an enchantment about this place that keeps me coming back for more.
I made my third visit to Cornwall this past July, and I found a fabulous place to ride. This was my first summer holiday in England, so I knew I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to try something that was only available during the warmest months of the year: horse swimming. Cornwall Swimming Horses specializes in bespoke riding experiences for equestrians including a sea swim that is only available from May through September. This unique activity is understandably popular, so you need to book early. In my typical plan-ahead fashion I booked as soon as they began taking reservations in January. Fortunately, I had the perfect person to share this experience with: my dear friend, WordPress VIP colleague, and fellow equestrian Natasha.
As with many outdoor activities horse swimming is weather-dependent. When the highly anticipated week of our swim finally arrived the weather (in stereotypical Cornish fashion) threatened not to cooperate. While it was dry the sea was still choppy from recent storms. Natasha and I shifted our plans and agreed to change what was meant to be our horse swim day to a 2-hour hack. We received a warm welcome from the Cornwall Swimming Horses team and met our lovely mounts on that sunny Wednesday afternoon in mid July. Mine was a cob named Honey and Natasha’s was a Thoroughbred and cob cross called Gino. Natasha and I walked, trotted, and cantered through the stunning Cornish countryside. Our guides Chris and Claire regaled us with tales of their fox hunting adventures, Claire’s visit to the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, and Chris’ history lesson about scrumping (stealing apples) that gave me an even greater appreciation for one of my favorite alcoholic beverages, scrumpy cider. The views from the hills down to the sea and St. Michael’s Mount were second-to-none and made us want to swim even more!
Fortunately, we had proven our abilities to ride. Stable manager Maz arranged for Natasha and me to do our swim the next afternoon provided we didn’t mind the sea would be choppy. Of course we did not mind! I don’t know how I slept that night amidst the anticipation. It must have been the gin cocktail I had with dinner. I woke up raring to go on that Thursday. Since the swim wasn’t until the afternoon I spent the morning at St. Michael’s Mount with my husband, Anthony, and our friends, Nanci and José, who flew from their home in Portugal to join us on our English summer holiday. St. Michael’s Mount is a must-visit during any trip to southern Cornwall. This was Anthony and my second visit to the castle, but it was our first time walking across the causeway to the island, which is an experience unto itself (on our last trip the island was only accessible by boat).
In the early afternoon, I headed back to shore ahead of Anthony, Nanci, and José to meet Natasha for the short drive to the Peep Out, the yard where Cornwall Swimming Horses is located. Natasha and I changed into wetsuits selected for us by Maz and met our horses. I rode a keen cob named James, and Natasha rode the lovely piebald mare, Ju Ju. The bareback walk down to the beach really gave us a chance to bond and connect with our horses. My heart skipped a beat as I strode out onto the sand on James with the waves lapping against the shore and St. Michael’s Mount floating in the distance. It was time!
Well, it was almost time. First, we needed some instructions. We dismounted our horses so that we could remount them in the sea with the help of the wonderful guides and handlers from Cornwall Swimming Horses. We got a feel for things by walking through the water. Then, we trotted briskly. Next, we went into the deeper water so that our horses would actually swim while we held onto their manes and floated over their backs Superman-style. I can think of few things quite as unique as body surfing a horse. Finally, we “fell off” into the water on purpose (literally the most difficult part for me and any other rider, I imagine). We held onto our horses’ tails and were rapidly pulled through the water as our guides swam the horses back toward the shore. My words cannot do justice to this epic experience! I remember smiling from ear-to-ear the entire time trusting fully in James as he sped through the water (wow does he love to swim!). All the while I kept looking across the sea to St. Michael’s Mount and over to my friend Natasha who swam beside me and back to the shore where my husband and our friends were watching. I could not believe how lucky I was! This was real and not just a dream!
You would think it would be impossible to top such an experience. Lucky for me, Cornwall Swimming Horses had more enchantment in store. I only wish that Natasha could have joined me for that Saturday morning beach ride, but she wasn’t able to extend her holiday and had to head home. My guide, Chris, wanted me to feel like I was a kid who was riding my favorite pony again. Mission accomplished! That Saturday morning sitting atop American Paint and Irish cob cross gelding, Chasca (Chas for short), was pure joy! On our way down to the beach it was drizzly and blustery, but the weather improved when we hit the sand. This turned out to be a lucky circumstance that allowed us to have the beach almost to ourselves. Chas was a star! The long, empty expanses of sand gave us opportunities for the most exhilarating gallops! There is little to compare to the feeling of flying along listening to the sound of your horse’s hooves hitting the wet sand with the waves crashing beside you and the wind in your face!
Cornwall is a place I will return to again and again. I know it will call to me to come back, and I would love to pay the fine folks and beautiful horses at Cornwall Swimming Horses another visit. I have no doubt that further adventures await me there!