DofE Gold Horse Riding Expedition

Gold DofE Award on Horseback

A unique set of challenges

Choosing to complete a DofE Gold Award on horseback presents participants with a unique opportunity, but it also provides a tremendous sense of adventure and achievement.

Travel by horse requires careful planning to ensure success, learning new skills, building confidence and working as a team.

Training and Practice

Sam Sykes Expeditions and Cantref Riding Centre will provide expert guidance and training to ensure participants are well prepared and possess the necessary skills to successfully complete the expedition phase.

You will learn essential expedition skills such as navigation, camp-craft and how to care for yourself and your horse throughout the expedition.

During the training and practice and alongside the expedition skills set out in the DofE expedition training framework, the experienced team at Cantref will guide you in learning the following:

• Prepare your horse for an expedition with the correct tack and equipment.

• Pack your horse correctly with an evenly balanced and manageable load.

• Care for your horse during an expedition.

• Ride safely in a group in open countryside and mountainous landscapes.

• Plan and navigate a safe route.

• Ride safely on a public road and country lanes.

• Know what to do in the event of an emergency.

• Develop the skills and confidence needed for your final expedition.

Part of your training and practice will be spent at the centre and part will be spent on a four day practice expedition with overnight camps surrounded by wild countryside and beautiful scenery.

Participants will be expected to plan a route between each camping location, maximising use of open country, bridleways and tracks.

Travelling time on horseback each day will take approximately 6 hours. The route will be ridden at a mix of paces, mainly trotting with some cantering. Overnight grazing for the horses will be pre-arranged at a location close to each campsite.

Participants Age & Riding Experience

The minimum age for the DofE Gold Award on Horseback is 16 years and the maximum age is 24 years.

To participate, you will need to be a competent horse rider who can walk, trot and canter, be experienced at hacking out in open countryside and riding on public roads. You should be fit and capable of riding for up to six hours each day. Prior to the course, participants will be required to complete a Participant Riding Questionnaire.

Each rider will be carefully paired with a suitable well-schooled horse, accustomed to mountain terrain to take you on this incredible adventure.

You will need to provide your own riding hat (approved to current standards), short whip, riding boots, gloves and appropriate waterproof clothing. A hi-vis jacket or waistcoat will be provided, although you are welcome to bring your own. Saddle bags and map holders are provided.

The Horses

Horseback expeditions require horses that have been specifically trained and prepared for the challenge of riding in open, remote countryside. Cantref Riding Centre will provide the horses for the training and practice and qualifying expedition. These top quality horses have many years of experience taking part in multi-day riding expeditions and are proven in some of the most remote and exposed terrain. The horses are sure-footed, mountain-suited and offer a fantastic ride. Cantref Riding Centre will provide all tack and specific expedition kit for the horses. Throughout the expedition, the support vehicle and Sam Sykes staff will be following the route by road, transporting feed and supplies required each night for the horses.

The Journey

Riding through the Brecon Beacons is a truely unique experience, taking you well off the beaten track in to some of the most stunning and remote areas of the National Park.

This expedition is both a physical and mental challenge and an unforgettable adventure, offering breathtaking views and a deep sense of achievement.