Name Sally & Leah Morgan
Date: May 2009	Email: sallymorgy@yahoo.co.uk
Your comments
We have just returned from a holiday with Anne and Derek and its hard to find anything to say that hasnt already been written here in the guest book. It really is as amazing as everybody says. We were instantly made to feel like part of the family, Anne cooked us the best food we have ever tasted, with Doogie and Bertie providing exceptional entertainment on a daily basis!! Dereks horsemanship skills were truly unbelievable. He improved our riding technique more in a week, than we would have achieved in months back home. The horses are absolutely amazing (mythral and Komadoor especially),all with individual characters, to suit all abilities and desires. We cant wait to go back again and again and again!! P.S Hope the finger is better Derek.xx

Name Vanessa Courbet
Date: May 2009	Email: dormy.house@wanadoo.fr
Your comments
For anyone looking for the perect riding holiday, look no longer you have found it. You want exiting rides? FRH have them. You want breathtaking scenery ? FRH has it. You want happy, surefooted horses with individual character ? FRH has them. You are looking for comfortable accommadation good food & wine ? FRH provides !! You are looking for fantastic hospitality and great company ? This is the place! So you may say that hundreds of other riding holidays offer the same things. But FRH have a secret ingredient. Derek Parker.His love of and understanding of his horses is magic. His knowlege of the horses, the terrain, the weather etc is awesome. The way that he can instantly match a rider to a horse who will then have the confidence to do things never done on horseback before !! Derek is definately what makes FRH so special and after having been 6 times already I can't recommend it enough. Thanks Derek + Anne it ws FAB !!!!!

Name Jayne Brawn
Date: April 2009	Email: jaynebrawn@blueyonder.co.uk
Your comments
What more can I say that hasn't been said? Just returned from my sixth visit and looking at flights for my next one! Many thanks yet again to Anne for your wonderful hospitality and to Derek for your help and expertise. See you in June Jayne xxx

Name Sarah
Date: April 2009	Email: sarahtreacy@gmail.com
Your comments
I needed a break from city life and decided to travel to Mas De Clamouze alone for a 3 night stay in March. I was initially a little worried about travelling alone but should not have been as I was immediately made to feel welcome and part of the family by Derek and Anne as soon as I arrived. I for the full 3 days through the beautiful french countryside stopping off one day at a restaurant for a delicious 3 course meal (and a glass or two of yummy wine!), then off again for the ride home! The horses are all lovely and good natured, I especially wanted to take Kajoline home with me! she is absolutely gorgeous! The views out to the valley are amazing. Unfortunately, I was too early in the year to use the pool but am looking forward to coming back in the warmer months to enjoy a bbq too! Although the weather I experienced in March was beautiful not too hot but with glorious sunshine all day. I was nervous about hacking out at first but Derek made me feel really confident in my riding after my first day of hacking and my nerves had disappeared! - you cannot help but feel relaxed riding accross acres and acres of unspoilt countryside, up and down mountain trails and through rivers, this really is a magical place and I am really looking forward to coming back.

Name Steve Ship
Date: March 2009	Email: stevejship1@aol.com
Your comments
Dear Ann and Derek Just a quick thank you for another great trip and a quick insight for others Contemplating a visit to FRH If you love to ride great horses in fantastic country side and enjoy exceptional company then this is the place for you, its as simple as that. Derek and Anne are your hosts and they will do everything they can to ensure that you have a wonderful experience. It doesn't matter what level of rider you are they will devote plenty of time to you and will ensure that you have the right horse. Unlike some riding holidays you can have much as or as little to do with preparing the horses as you like but it wont be long before you've bonded with your favourite and are rushing down in the morning to tack up. This holiday experience has consistently received rave reviews, check out tripadvisor, for a number of reasons, obviously the horses and the riding, the pool in the summer and the hot picnics in the winter but for me it is because of Derek and Anne who not only make you feel welcome but part of the family......... they are the icing on the cake and they will soon become your friends. Jane and I are lucky enough to have participated in a number of riding holidays around the world but this is the only one that we keep returning to, four times so far and have plans to return soon. Whether you go for a week or a weekend I dare you not to return. Steve and Jane

 

Name Anna & Christine
Date: March 2009	Email:
Your comments
Dear Derek & Anne  We just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you so much for a fantastic holiday, we both feel like our riding has improved enormously, it is such a beautiful area and your horses are lovely! We felt very well looked after and appreciate all the trouble that you both went to (Catherine says thanks in particular for extra lessons and vegetarian meals!).  Anna & Catherine

 

Name Peter Chapman & Chris Hardie
Date: January 2009	Email: chappers@globalnet.co.uk
Your comments
We have just returned from a superb Christmas with Derek and Ann.  It is difficult to know what to praise first, the hospitality, the riding, the horses, the scenery?  All were excellent.  Being novice riders did not stop us being encouraged right to the limits of our abilities, which was utterly rewarding and exhilerating.  Once we had learnt to trust the horses, who are very comfortable in this challenging terrain, and once Derek had confirmed we knew how to stop them, we went as far and as fast as time and weather permitted.  There is nothing more exhilerating than a canter through beautiful woods.  There were many "Thelwell" moments, and you had to remember to stop and take in the stunning views.  Oh, and there was the hip-flask.  On our returns to the gite, Anne's cooking was plentiful and excellent, and wine and beer flowed freely.  It did not feel like being on holiday so much as staying with friends.  Want a relaxed Christmas away from your day to day responsibilities?  French Riding Holidays are difficult to beat!  Thank you Derek and Ann.

Name John Tyler
Date: November 2008	Email:
Your comments
I have visited French Riding Holidays three times and am happy to admit that the place is now thoroughly under my skin! All that is written by other guests about great horses; fantastic hospitality; the excellent food and the wine is absolutely true. The Aveyron is stunningly beautiful with a perfect climate. Daytime usually has a benign sun shining out of a deep blue sky; night-time has thousands of dazzling stars shining out of an ink-black sky. It is one of the few places in Europe where you can ride for three hours without seeing a car. You ride through lush countryside, untouched woodland and deep river gorges. You then arrive at an ancient but immaculately preserved little town and turn the horses out to graze in a hotel playing field. No one shows the slightest surprise that people should arrive on horseback for lunch. The lunch is typically, leisurely French and lasts for about two hours. After which, you saddle up and ride out of town, the only sound being the clatter of hooves on the traffic free road and an occasional “bonjour” from friendly locals. The afternoon’s ride is equally enchanting, following a different route back to Mas de Clamouse. The next day’s ride would be in another direction but equally thrilling, perhaps this time with a picnic lunch arranged. I can’t wait to get back!   John Tyler Cheshire 24/11/08

Name Sarah
Date: August 2008	Email:
Your comments
We arrived in a deluge and similarly we left in a deluge. Despite the inclement weather at either end of the holiday my daughter Harriet’s first words when she got in the car to return home were ‘Can we come back next year?’ As non riding parents - knowing next to nothing about horses - booking a riding holiday is always act of faith rather than an informed choice. We’ve taken Harriet (aged 12yrs) on a number of riding holidays in the past some more successful than others but this has to be the best to date. Ann, Jill and Louise were always so friendly and upbeat – nothing was too much trouble. They went out of their way to help with any request however small even when busy preparing delicious meals etc. It is hard to do justice to the enormous contribution Derek made to Harriet’s enjoyment of the holiday. He gave careful consideration when matching her riding skills with her mounts and as the week progressed we could see her confidence/enjoyment growing. Even at the end of a long day ride he still had the patience and enthusiasm to help her coax her horse over a few jumps. What more could you ask for?   Hope to see you all next year (Harriet’s got her heart set on taking her horse for a swim in the river)   Sarah, Trevor & Harriet   PS. Forgot to mention that we’re from Cambridge and stayed with Derek & Ann from 12th – 19th Aug 2008. Please include my e-mail address.   Thanks   Sarah

Name Kylie
Date: July 2008	Email:
Your comments
To Derek, Ann, Jill & Louise I'm back in Ireland and feeling like a new woman, thanks to your heady mix of sun, riding, kayaking, swimming, food and just the occasional drop of wine!  It was exactly the kind of break I needed, such a treat to be looked after so well, and with such warmth, hospitality and gentle good humour.  In these days of timetables, money-making & technology it's food for the soul to arrive somewhere where the weather, the horses & the guests dictate the pace. Best of luck for the summer season, I look forward to coming back and catching up next year sometime. Kylie Thanks again

Name June
Date: July 2008	Email:
Your comments
Dear Anne, Derek & Jill   Hi, I hope you and the horses are all well and that the weather with you is considerably better than the rain we have here!!   "I arrived at French Riding Holidays excitedly looking forward to my riding holiday but, I have to admit, with an awful lot of nerves.  As a more mature rider I think it could possibly be an age issue but, no doubt about it, the nerves had kicked in big time.  My first morning I was introduced to the very lovely Epice who, sensing the wooden passenger she had and realising I was shaking with nerves, looked after me beautifully.  She, along with the wonderful Pom Pom and Kajoline, were absolutely wonderful to me and took the best care of me.  Derek, Anne and Jill were so supportive and encouraging and I can honestly say that I achieved so much more than I thought I would, including cantering, popping a jump and most importantly, for a nervous rider like myself, feeling wonderfully relaxed and happy and yes, even confident, riding such lovely horses.  The food, the wine, the people, the scenery and the weather were all fantastic and I had a ball.  So if you are a nervous rider, and you've seen the website and are wondering whether this is the holiday for you - the answer is yes!!   It was quite simply the best riding holiday I've ever had and I cannot wait to come back and do it all again".   June Marsh

Name Aly
Date: July 2008	Email:
Your comments
Derek, Anne & Jill   Thank you so much for the most amazing holiday.   I can’t say enough nice things about you all and your fabulous horses.     Everything was absolutely perfect and I will never forget it.     I look forward to seeing you all again next year - must dash before I start crying again!   Lots of Love,   Aly xxxx

Name Howard & Myrna
Date: July 2008	Email:
Your comments
Derek, Ann, Jill and Louise  Howard and I have been taking riding holidays for the last 7 years (in Portugal, Spain, France, Scotland, and America) and when 2 of our favourite places closed last year (CDA in Portugal and Les Cypres de l’Etang in Provence) we wondered whether we could ever replace them. We looked on the net and settled on Derek’s organisation. We’re happy to endorse all the enthusiastic comments in the guest book. We’ve just returned from 8 days at Mas de Clamouze and found our holiday excellent value, with truly interesting riding on good, fit, well cared-for horses in wonderful countryside. This was satisfyingly supported by good food and company plus efficient transfers to and from Mas de Clamouze, tailored to our particular needs.  The accommodation is clean, comfortable, and very conveniently placed close to the centre of action. I would recommend French Riding Holidays, especially to others missing CDA or Les Cypres! Howard & Myrna Weetman, Scotland. Holiday 15 -22 July 2008.

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