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Golden Hoof Ride
05 May 2015
Thumbnail Newtonmore on the Weekend of Fri 5th to Sun 7th June The Golden Hoof Ride (Scotland) will hopefully be an annual event with the first one in 2015. It will be for people and horses who enjoy long...

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Pony Trekking 60th Anniversary 1952 - 2012

Main Celebration at Newtonmore Sat 22nd September

Cavalcade Parade, VIP Visit, Conference & Ceilidh at The Balavil Hotel

This year 2012 is the 60th Anniversay of Pony Trekking and our family were the pioneers and have been offering pony trekking and riding holidays since 1952 from Newtonmore and from the 1960's at our Riding Centre in Aviemore, where pony trekking was still always the main activity. We will have a big celebration at Newtonmore to commemorate this Pony Trekking Milestone in September 2012. So if you are in the Aviemore, Badenoch and Starthspey Area and want to come pony trekking or horse riding or want a riding lesson please come and see us and we will glady show you round our small Highland Pony and Pony Trekking Heritage Centre too. Old and New friends are always welcome so just drop in.

Click here for the "Pony Trekking 60th Anniversary" Facebook Page

In 1952 the Ormiston Family at the Balavil Arms Hotel in Newtonmore, headed by Ewan Ormiston, are credited with being the pioneers of the outdoor sport of Pony Trekking which was the start of fun recreational riding holidays as we know them today. Ewan's son Cameron was there at the beginning and he ran the trekking business till 1992 when his some Ruaridh took over. It is still possible today to go Pony Trekking at the family's Newtonmore Riding Centre and to still experience the same people and ponies that made it happen back in 1952. Not much has changed except now we have to wear hard hats !

Tthe main celebration will be held in Newtonmore at the Balavil Hotel over a long weekend with some exciting "Retro" Rides planned for the week before the weekend starting on Monday 17th September. Everybody with an interest in Pony Trekking or Recreational Riding is welcome to come to ride or to just be part of the celebrations. It is hoped Cameron Ormiston at 83 years old will lead a parade through the village along the Main Street like he did in 1973 for the 21st Anniversary. All other Centres are welcome to come too and we would especially like to hear from old Pony Trekking Instructors and Instructresses. During this celebration year it is hoped that other rides will feature elsewhere with a small event planned for Blair Atholl during Horse Trails Week too with the TRSS. We will also secretly hoping that there will be a Royal appearance too, the Royal Family and especially Princess Anne have been very supportive of Pony Trekking over the years.

Have a look at some of our old Heritage Photographs with this link

 The Planned Programme of Events below - All Rides can be done as Charity Fund Raisers

A picture from the 21st Anniversary in Newtonmore in 1973- who can you recognise?

21st 

We still have these triangular 21st Anniversary banners that you can see in the cart that Ian Galbraith is driving.

 

 

 

  

 

Working holidays

You have the opportunity to come and stay with us, help out with the animals and the riding centre as well as ride and make some new friends!

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Ladies club

Image of a ponyIf you would like to ride affordably and help out around the centre, Ladies club may be just for you.

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Trail riding

Hill trekkingRough Highland country trail rides available.

Come and join us in these spectacular surroundings.

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Pony club

pony clubAre your kids wanting to learn more about horses and ride on a regular basis, Pony Club may be for them.

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