Horse Riding
HORSE RIDING IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Explore pure African nature on horseback at Doornbosch Estate & Guesthouses
Guided rides on our reliable and good-natured horses will excite you. You will get close to many wild animals like zebras and antelopes. And you can inhale the fresh air and experience the joy of horse riding in unspoilt nature in the western cape at Doornbosch Estate & Guesthouses. Our horses are sure-footed, brave, gentle, reliable, and well-cared for. We have horses for beginners, intermediate and accomplished riders. We also have a paddock on site if you want to try horse riding for the first time. Riding lessons only upon request. Our horses are Nooitgedachter and Boerperd – both local South African breeds. They are bred for their kind temperament, love for people, sure-footedness, and hardy disposition.
Horses for beginners and experienced riders
(with a maximum of 100 kg)
Quality English and western saddles and bridles
Safety FEI helmets available
Handling of horses and riding at your own risk
Guest horses with valid passports and trail riders are welcome
(Ground levy applies).
HORSE RIDING ROUTE
SUIKERKOPPIE/NAPIERGROND TRAIL
1 ½ HOUR
R1200
This is our most popular route through the unspoiled Overberg, highlighting the endemic fynbos. It follows the jeep tracks, farm roads and game tracks through the veld. Enjoy sightings of all our game in their full splendour. Eland, Fallow Deer, Springbok, Zebra and our dancing Ostriches.
This is a great outing for families and ideal for guests who are inexperienced riders or who have time constraints. Experienced riders will also enjoy this route.
Weather: We are happy to ride in wet weather, but will not persevere in extremely wet, windy, and cold conditions. We will reschedule the ride if this is the case. In the hot summer weather, we ride early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
What to Wear: Comfortable clothing: long pants, ski pants or riding breeches and closed shoes. Sneakers are not ideal, but acceptable. Avoid clothing that can be damaged by shrubs and branches (e.g. down jackets, microfibre clothing). We provide riding hats. A light rain jacket is recommended in case of rain showers, and this can be stored in a saddle bag.
Things to Bring: Remember to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses. In summer, we recommend long-sleeved, light shirts with a collar for protection against the sun. Feel free to bring your own water bottle. We do however provide bottled tap water and cooldrinks. Bring a change of clothing if wet weather is predicted.
Guests or Spectators: Non riders are welcome to spend time on the farm while friends or family are out on a ride. Enjoy a walk or relax.
Requirements:
Minimum Age: 10 years
Fitness Level: Average
Qualifications: Experienced rider
Maximum Weight: 90kg
Certification: None required
Experience Level: Accomplished rider
Indemnity Form: To be completed by all riders.
Inclusions and Exclusions:
Inclusions
Riding Caps: It is strongly recommended that riders wear a hat/helmet for the duration of the ride. It is compulsory for riders younger than 18 years to wear a riding hat.
Water: We provide tap water and cooldrinks, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Guides: You will be in good hands; our guides are familiar with the horses and the routes.
Saddlebags: One horse in the group will be fitted with a saddle bag for drinking water and other smaller items that you would like to bring along.
Exclusions:
Food
Insurance
STOMJESKLOOF TRAIL
Duration: 3 HOURS
R2000
This trail is a guided outride through the farm. Try to spot the Eland, Fallow Deer, Zebra and Springbok. Ride past the ruins of the Stomjeskoof homestead, the Kol Kol wetlands and up to the foot of Fritz’s Mountain.
This is a slightly faster 3-hour ride and is suitable for intermediate and experienced riders, who can trot and canter. This ride is only available in the winter months.
Weather: We are happy to ride in wet weather, but will not persevere in extremely wet, windy, and cold conditions. We will reschedule the ride if this is the case. In the hot summer weather, we ride early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
What to Wear: Comfortable clothing: long pants, ski pants or riding breeches and closed shoes. Sneakers are not ideal, but acceptable. Avoid clothing that can be damaged by shrubs and branches (e.g., down jackets, microfibre clothing). We provide riding hats. A light rain jacket is recommended in case of rain showers, and this can be stored in a saddle bag.
Things to Bring: Remember to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses. In summer, we recommend long-sleeved, light shirts with a collar for protection against the sun. Feel free to bring your own water bottle. We do however provide bottled tap water and cooldrinks. Bring a change of clothing if wet weather is predicted.
Guests or Spectators: Non riders are welcome to spend time on the farm while friends or family are out on a ride. They can enjoy a walk or just relax!
Requirements:
Minimum Age: 10 years
Fitness Level: Average
Qualifications: Experienced rider
Maximum Weight: 90kg
Certification: None required
Experience Level: Accomplished rider
Indemnity Form: To be completed by all riders.
Inclusions and Exclusions:
Inclusions
Riding Caps: It is strongly recommended that riders wear a hat/helmet for the duration of the ride. It is compulsory for riders younger than 18 years to wear a riding hat.
Water: We provide tap water and cooldrinks, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Guides: You will be in good hands; our guides are familiar with the horses and the routes.
Saddlebags: One horse in the group will be fitted with a saddle bag for drinking water and other smaller items that you would like to bring along.
Exclusions:
Food
Insurance
LANDMETERSKOP TRAIL
Duration: 4 HOURS
R3000
The Landmeterskop Trail offers a guided outride over the Blood River and up to Landmeterskop, a famous landmark in the area. A light saddlebag lunch is served on top of the mountain.
This ride is suitable for experienced riders. You must be able to trot and canter as this ride offers several areas where the pace is faster. It takes you through the game areas of the farm, over the Blood River, through the Fynbos, and up to Landmeterskop. We stop and have a light lunch here and then take an alternative route down the mountain.
Requirements:
Minimum Age: 10 years
Fitness Level: Average
Qualifications: Experienced rider
Maximum Weight: 90kg
Certification: None required
Experience Level: Accomplished rider
Indemnity Form: To be completed by all riders.
Inclusions and Exclusions:
Inclusions
Riding Caps: It is strongly recommended that riders wear a hat/helmet for the duration of the ride. It is compulsory for riders younger than 18 years to wear a riding hat.
Water: We provide tap water and cooldrinks, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Guides: You will be in good hands; our guides are familiar with the horses and the routes.
Saddlebags: One horse in the group will be fitted with a saddle bag for drinking water and other smaller items that you would like to bring along.
Exclusions:
Food
Insurance
PINASTER/NAPIERGROND TRAIL
Duration: 3 HOURS
R2000
Guided outride in the foothills of the Koueberge. This ride is suitable for Intermediate and experienced riders, you must be able to trot and canter.
It is a slightly longer version of the Suikerkoppie Trail and ends in the game area of the farm.
Weather: We are happy to ride in wet weather, but will not persevere in extremely wet, windy, and cold conditions. We will reschedule the ride if this is the case. In the hot summer weather, we ride early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
What to Wear: Comfortable clothing: long pants, ski pants or riding breeches and closed shoes. Sneakers are not ideal, but acceptable. Avoid clothing that can be damaged by shrubs and branches (e.g., down jackets, microfibre clothing). We provide riding hats. A light rain jacket is recommended in case of rain showers, and this can be stored in a saddle bag.
Things to Bring: Remember to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses. In summer, we recommend long-sleeved, light shirts with a collar for protection against the sun. Feel free to bring your own water bottle. We do however provide bottled tap water and cooldrinks. Bring a change of clothing if wet weather is predicted.
Guests or Spectators: Non riders are welcome to spend time on the farm while friends or family are out on a ride. They can enjoy a walk or just relax!
Requirements:
Minimum Age: 10 years
Fitness Level: Average
Qualifications: Experienced rider
Maximum Weight: 90kg
Certification: None required
Experience Level: Accomplished rider
Indemnity Form: To be completed by all riders.
Inclusions and Exclusions:
Inclusions
Riding Caps: It is strongly recommended that riders wear a hat/helmet for the duration of the ride. It is compulsory for riders younger than 18 years to wear a riding hat.
Water: We provide tap water and cooldrinks, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Guides: You will be in good hands; our guides are familiar with the horses and the routes.
Saddlebags: One horse in the group will be fitted with a saddle bag for drinking water and other smaller items that you would like to bring along.
Exclusions:
Food
Insurance
MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS
ABOUT HEIDI MARITZ
Manager and Riding Master
Heidi Maritz could ride before she could walk. From very early on she developed a love for the indigenous horses of South Africa, the Nooitgedachter, which she bred for more than forty years.
Her daily work on Doornbosch Guesthouses is filled with lots of love for our horses and shows the experience of a trained competition rider and horse trainer. Heidi will pick the right horse for everyone and show you how to handle your horse with care. Beginners as well as experienced riders will have fun under her guidance and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.
With Heidi at their side, even children can experience life with horses in a playful way and try out what it feels like, to handle these gentle animals.
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”
IMPRINTS
