Take in a New View… On Horseback!

At Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures, you can ride the unique and beautiful Molly Morgan Range, experiencing the spectacular views of the Hunter Valley Wine Country and Lower Hunter and as far north as Barrington Tops.

Whether you’re an old hand on horseback or you’ve never sat in a saddle before, there’s a ride for every experience level, with the 1 and 1.5 hour guided trail rides the most popular for both beginners and experts alike.

For more than two decades Margaret Bancroft has been opening up her family home to travellers looking for a little slice of traditional country life. The owner and operator of Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures, and Hill Top Country Guesthouse, has spent her entire life in the Hunter, growing up on her family’s farm in Lovedale before moving down the road, and up a mountain, to raise her own family and eventually set up her flourishing tourism businesses.

Margaret says that horse riding offers people the chance to venture where a vehicle cannot go, “capturing spectacular views and being close to nature”.

“It is peaceful and tranquil, and you are with a beautiful and powerful but gentle animal,” she said. “If you have reasonable balance and can take instructions, it is not that difficult to learn to ride. The more you do it, the easier it gets as you ride in rhythm with the horse.”

Margaret’s love of horses came at around two years of age, when her Dad bought her a Shetland pony. Sharing this love of riding is one of the reasons she started the business.

“The best part of the business is seeing people coming back from a ride smiling, and laughing having had a great time – for many of the people it has been the first time that they have been on a horse.

“Also seeing the children come back year after year, hoping that their favourite pony is still here and that they can go for a ride. They are still happy when they find that they sometimes have retired, but are still able to feed them and pat them.”

For more information about Hunter Valley Horseriding or to book a ride, visit www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au or call 4930 7111.