News and Events

WTRA news bulletins and some handy dates for your diary

Head for the hills - new Preseli Hills Route Guide

A new booklet giving details of five riding routes in and around the Preseli Hills will be of help to local riders and visitors who wish to ride their own horses. Bed and Breakfast for horses is a market that has been slow to take off in Wales as riders who are unfamiliar with an area often do not want to risk a trip into the unknown. The five routes have historical themes and include a beach ride. The booklet is available from Planed priced £7.50 plus £1 pp.

WTRA to link to Visit Wales website

Olive Edwards, the hard working Chair of the WTRA, has secured a committment from Visit Wales that Riding Wales will link to their website following the withdrawal of funding from the Wales Equine Council (see Archive link below.

We will look to expand the site based on the former Wales Tourist Board's Marketing Plan for the Equine Industry. Olive is well placed to guide this forward having built up a thriving trekking and hotel business at Parc-le-Breos House on the Gower Peninsula.

Says Olive "The WTRA has proved itself to be the representative body for tourism related riding businesses with members involved in riding, trekking, carriage driving, trail riding, livery and a host of related activities. In West Wales the new Ffos Las racecourse has added a new dimension to the riding scene and we are investigating clinks with Ireland untilising the good ferry links in the north and south and Cardiff Wales Airport."

If you have an item of news or an event you would like to let the public and other members of the WTRA know about, please get in touch.

Visit Wales Road Shows

The Visit Wales Roadshows are a victim of the credit crunch - but don't despair and look out for local versions. For example, Tourism Swansea Bay held a South West Wales Region event at the LC in Swansea called Marketing Mix.

Over 300 attended to hear a keynote address from Jonathan Jones of Vist Wales in a more down to earth event than the more lavish Visit Wales offering - good sound advice wqas o offer with the most popular being the Google Guru.

Next event is in Pembrokeshire in February 2010. Details on Tourism Swansea Bay website or phone 01792 403339.

These events are a great opportunity to meet with other operators and perhaps make links to bring you new business.

Charity Ride across Pyrenees

SCOPE ran a successful four day charity horse ride across the Pyrenees starting 7th June. SCOPE is the charity for people with cerebral palsy and many of the sufferers gain very much from riding at schools in this country.

Gayatri Cook from Llanpumsaint took part and says "The money raised from the horse riding across the Pyrenees will allow SCOPE to continue running vital services which are designed to support disabled people in every aspect of their lives from birth through adulthood. SCOPE's aim is that disabled people achieve equality in everyday life."

Gayatri has pledged to raise a total of £3,600 and any sponsorship woud be very welcome.

Donating through the Justgiving website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor people raising money for charities. Scope will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Visit www.justgiving.com/gayatricook

Pony Trekking Classes - Advice for Entrants

More and more shows have trekking classes so if you are contemplating entering a Pony Trekking Class run by the WTRA, here are a few tips that may help you.

The pony/horse will be 4 years old or over, ridden in tack that is appropriate for trekking and the trekker suitably dressed and equipped for a twelve to eighteen mile trek.

After the initial parade, all competitors will be drawn in and the judge will then invite you to ride your individual show.

Next you will be asked to dismount and unsaddle, placing your saddle in the front of your pony/horse. You should use the lead rope and stand, as if tied at lunchtime, whilst the judge checks you, your pony/horse and equipment.

When the judge has finished his/her examination, you will be asked to replace your tack and remount. It is important that your pony/horse stands still whilst you remount.
Finally, the judge will ask all competitors to parade before placing them in order of preference and presenting rosettes.

WTRA bid for Wales Tourist Board marketing scheme

2 November 2004

The WTRA failed to win the bid for the for the two year Wales Tourist Board marketing programme for the equine tourism industry in Wales.

The money went to the pre-pitch favourites - the Welsh Equine Council (WEC). WTRA are members of WEC which is such a new body that it is still in its embryonic stages of formation.

WTRA's bid was fronted by marketing consultants Vibe of Cardiff and partners British Activity Holiday Association and Pembrokeshire Farm Holiday Group. Vibe came up with the concept of A Beautiful Ride are were proposing to use Miss Wales 2004 Amy Guy as the front for the campaign. Amy is an accomplished horsewoman who taught Blue Peter presenter Katie Hill to ride.

WTRA will decide whether to press on with the campaign on a limited basis to build on the success in marketing the WTRA over the past forty years and merge it with proven marketing techniques from one of the leading tourism marketing companies in Wales. If it is successful WTRA will bring others including operators and equine support services to make the Saddling Up for Success a major boost to equine tourism in Wales.

AGM & Celebration

Look out for details in May

Secretary for WTRA

Christine Stokes - the long serving secretary of the WTRA retired in 2007 and was replaced by Cheryl Hyde.

Cheryl is from a country background and lives near Brecon. For her this is a new challenge "I've been around horses since an early age and I am looking forward to getting to know the members of the association."

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