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Dear Cheryl, Don and Lou Well what can I say apart from a huge thank you? :) In the 48 hours I have been home I think I have told everyone about riding backwards, riding blindfolded, swimming in the lagoon, loosing my voice shouting to Excalibur and Blase, the Midnite Macarana and sleeping in a field with a stallion. The 10 days I was with you guys was simply one of the best times of my life. The horses were incredible and I learnt SO much but I don't think it would have been as good if it hadn't been for you guys. After destroying the contents of your fridge upon arrival I relaxed completely and I think you saw me being as mad as I am at home normally. It's also safe to say that every muscle in my body aches but I have never felt better. I even stopped biting my nails and all the other nervous ticks I usually have. How on earth I will go back to living and working in London I don't know. Never mind, will cross that bridge when I come to it :) I have always loved horses and longed to understand them better. Now I realise how much more there is to learn and how badly I want to learn it. I wish I could imbibe all the knowledge and experience the 3 of you have by osmosis or something. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed just being able to sit and talk about horses in the evening – even better than eating Caramel I think!! I have resolved to find a way to make horses a permanent feature in my life. I am no longer content with riding once a week in a stable. As I said to Don at the airport – I think I enjoy working with horses on the ground more than actually riding (perhaps because I know I will never be a brilliant rider, but I might learn to be a better communicator with horses). At the end of the day though, the more you understand about horses the better you should be able to ride. I can't wait to get back and hack out with my new improved leg position and low, still hands. Woe betide me if I come back to you with more bad habits though! I think I will have to come and ride with you at least once a year so you can check I'm still on track. Then we can get my husband riding..... :) Now, I will make sure that Daniela gets her parcel safe and sound. It will be lovely to meet her and I will send a report home and let you know that she is well and looking happy and things. And I suppose I should think about getting another job. What a pain. I always thought that my job made me happy, but I have never felt happier, more complete or at peace than I did that day resting my head against the neck of a horse. How does anything possibly compete with that? Please remember to send the pictures – I'm not sure anyone quite believes me.
I just want to thank you for a wonderful experience. Your horses were excellent & I found your trail business to be truly professionally run. Kedan & I really enjoyed the 3 day trail we went on. She cannot stop talking about it especially giving the horse an injection. A big thank you to Louisa for being such a wonderful guide. As soon as Kedan gets settled at school will send pics. Regards Just a quick note to thank you once again for the tremendous experience on the weeks trail we recently spent with you. It certainly lived up to our expectations - the coastline was stunning, as was theTranskei, and the horses were unbelievably well behaved. They are a credit to you and your knowledge of horses as they were both responsive and full of character. Apart from the scenery, the horses and the adventure of the trail our other highlights were the evening at Seagulls being entertained by Barry and also Tam's incredible house and hospitality. In addition Emily is particularly pleased with herself that she has now administered an injection to a horse - it was typically thoughtful of you to help her to do so. The week will live in our memories forever as will your part of South Africa. Don't be surprised to see one or more of us in the future! Special thanks to Don for his expertise guiding the trail. Not only did we all find him great company and full of interesting observations, but in his ability to keep my family a happy and contented unit he made our week. If anyone wants to contact me prior to booking anything with you I would be very willing to talk them through our encounter. My contacts are: Mobile 0044 (0)7884 335076 Email: Wayne_Saich@hotmail.com Address: 16 Hurst Farm Road, Weald, Kent, TN14 6PE With best wishes to you, Don, Louisa, the horses and dogs, Wayne, Karen, Emily, Jack "I have just returned home from an 8 day horse trail along the Wild Coast and what a most fantastic trail it has been; I have loved every second of it! Everything was just amazing; the scenery, food, accommodation, the riding was out of this world, my horse Spindrift was a dream come true and our guide Cheryl was superb. She is an exceptionally experienced guide in this area and provided us with a most exciting, exhilarating, fun and entertaining ride but at
Hi Cheryl; Everyone made it back home last Sunday as planned after a truly wonderful family vacation. I couldn’t have imagined a better experience on a trail ride and wish to thank you again for a wonderful time. You have the most awesome horses and live in a very beautiful part of the world. The Trans Kei is so tranquil. Where else might one see porpoises and whales on a daily basis so close to the shore of such a pristine coastline? Celeste was ecstatic about being able to stay with you and help out around the horses – and she couldn’t stop talking about being able to ride your stallion bareback.
Thanks for providing such an amazing experience. Wish I could have put Captain in our car and brought him up to Joburg, he is a fantastic horse, good luck using him on trail in the future. Hope your passion for these beautiful animals never fails. I wish you good luck and healthy horses Cheers!! Nicky Just want to thank you very much for a really outstanding ride last week. The view from the beach at Morgan Bay was truly magnificent and swimming in the lagoon was a new and uniquely exhilarating experience. Hope to be back soon to have another similar fun trail. Ronnie will certainly be promoting your riding establishment when the opportunity arises. Good luck with all your ventures. Kind regards, Rochelle I am sorry I have not written sooner, but I can assure you that Mkulu Kei is constantly in my thoughts. I have eventually settled down to work, but it was extremely difficult after such a brilliant holiday. I told you that I read all the info on your web page and it was 100 times better than I imagined. I have all the photos on my computer and I look at them every day. I annex hereto some photos, which you may be interested in. The trail, the people, the horses and you were absolutely marvelous. Rose was an absolute superstar in the way she handled Juju and in the way she led the trail.
During mid-2005, I did some internet research on "coastal horse trails" as I always wanted to treat myself to the sounds and feeling of cantering on the beach, swimming in the sea and lagoons, and take in all the amazing aspects of the coast. I came across www.mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za , and read about the wild coast and made contact with Cheryl Giaccetti, who runs the trails from near Kei mouth in the Eastern Cape. What striked me from the first chat with Cheryl, was her openness in accepting me as a blind rider, and her words "I'd like to have you come so I can explain to you the beauty of our wild coast in more detail…..". I've been previously turned away as a blind rider at other riding facilities in JHB and elsewhere, and Cheryl's open invite made me book for the 5 day trail for Early February 2006. The trail exceeded by far more then my expectations and what the web site describes. Firstly I was blown away by Cheryl and her family's warm hospitality and personal treatment on arrival and on trail. Cheryl went out of her way to ensure I'm happy, and ensured she gave me full verbal descriptions of what she was seeing, including letting me touch the various rock formations, plants, etc. I learnt to appreciate how the wild coast changes terrain almost every few hundred metres. We rode along varying beaches, rock cliffs, forests, fields, hills, villages, and swam in the sea and lagoons. The Hotels, both Sea Gulls and Wave Crest were really well enjoyed, with very friendly staff, and oh yes wonderful and too much food. Also, her horses are wonderful animals, all very well schooled, nice natured, and the only down side was when I had to give Gunston back after the trail, it literally brought me to tears, you create such a bond with your horse as they faithfully look after you on all forms of terrain along the trail. My riding definitely improved on trail and Cheryl, having assessed my riding ability she was the first to let me attempt some jumping and within one lesson I was clearing a 70 cm jump - thus she's an excellent riding instructor as well.
Well-behaved horses, Awesome cliff views and great beach to canter and swim. Definitely the best trail I've been on. Fabulous experience that stretches you mentally, physically and emotionally. Awesome scenery whether on the beaches or inland. Takes you to new levels of self-belief and without doubt builds your confidence in the saddle. (Determined to keep this even with wussie thoroughbred) Definitely put it on your list of things to do ( now done) before you die.!!! Willl definitely be back. cheers Vicky Well behaved horses, Awesome cliff views and great beach to canter and swim. Definitely the best trail I've been on. Es gab für jeden das richtige Pferd: Ob Anfänger oder erfahrene(r) Reiter(in), von langsam und gemütlich bis schnell und temperamentvoll: für jede Bedürfisse das passende Pferd. Auch beim Ausritt durch die wunderbare Landschaft wurde es nie langweilig. Cheryl unterhielt uns mit interessanten Geschichten und beim Trab und Galopp vergaßen wir alles um uns herum. Auch dies war abgestimmt auf die reiterlichen Kentnisse: langsamer Galopp für den Anfänger und scneller Gallopp für die sattelfesteren Reiter. Es war für uns ein wunderbares unvergleichbares Erlebnis. Danke an Cheryl und ihre Pferde! Nadine Flubacher, Breisach, Germany It was AMAZING. Thank you. I feel that my riding has improved 10 times. It exceeded any expactations that I had!! What an experience. I will be back with a smaller group - promise. James Dumbill, Cape Town I am eight years old and my name is Katy. I have never rode a horse but on the 11th of December I rode a horse for the first time. It was so much fun. I first lernt to make a horse go left and right and to make it go forward and to stop. Then I lerant to do trotting and then to do the Cantes that was so much fun! We rode on the beach, and we even swam! It was so exciting! Thank you so much Cheryl. Katy, Johannesburg Ich mochte, wie Cheryl auf mich einging, meine Wünsche & Bedürfnisse zu erfüllen versuchte & erfüllte. Es gefiel mir total, ich würde dieses Reittrekking nochmal buchen. Yvonne Brütsch, Switzerland (I liked how Cheryl tried to understand and satisfied me, my wishes
and requests. I enjoyed it thouroughly and would book the trekking
trail again. Amazing trip: We saw incredible scenery & enjoyed leraning to ride much better. Not only did Cheryl provide a beautiful ride, she helped us gain confidence in our horse and ourselves. She went above and beyond our expectations - ensuring a wonderful ride, fun evening entertainment, knowledge of the area, fun excursions. We saw rivers, a ship wreck, danced to "Black-eyed Ire"...Wild wild Africa via 4x4! Wild! Beautiful people! Beautiful country! Beautiful Riding! Horse riding is more work than I thought but Cheryl taught me how to get comfortable, be confident. I want to come back! Thanks so much! Wendy Gilmer, London, UK This was a really fantastic trip and the most relaxing holiday never had - who needs Prozac while there's Mkulu Kei Horse Trails? Right now we don't have suggestions for improvements, its wonderful as it is. All the best for the future Grand & Marnelle Ward, Lanseria Excellent & exhilirating experience. The scenery was beautiful. Cheryl - I appreciate all of your knowledge about both horses and the area. Molly Friedman, Minnosota, USA I had the most exhilerating time. I have never done anything like it before. I felt safe whilst having the freedom! I wish you luck. We will be back . Nigel Cowling, Cape Town Loved the swim in the lagoon, loved the canter on the beach, beautiful and best ride I ever had. Thank you very much. Odendaals, Delmas Excellent ride, beautiful horse (Guston). Thank you. Lauren, Thabazimbi Very nice horse. Excellent trot. I liked the horse (Buckle) and every thing else. Thank you very much for a lovely time! Anri, Thabazimbi It was a lovely ride. I loved the horse (Alex) Thank you Cheryl. It was very fun and adventures and a good horse (Midnight). Thanks for a very fun ride. Gillian, Thabazimbi Enjoyed ride. Good control of horses. Kids feel more confident than before. Thanks. Will return. J. Meiring, PE Dit was'n baie lekker en aangename toer. Die toergidse was wonderlik en hel baie geduld en is ade baie behulpsaam. Hulle is ook baie vriendelik. Ek sai graag wai sren dat in mens die plaas baie meer kan besigtig. Baie dankie. Callie Venter, Bloemspruit Great horses, great company. Scenery on trail excellent. Instruction on riding very helpful - good comments, personal attention. Jacobs Stewart, London, UK It was a fantastic tour and we all enjoyed it so much. Stefan Jensen, Auckerland Park Thank you! Had a phantastic time I almost think I can ride. A fantastic gift. Thanks. Paul Baker, UK Thank you. We had a wonderful ride. I would love to come back and do the horse safari up the coast through the Transkei. I will tell my friends above it! Rhonda & Maria Shurian, Canada I really had fun but I must say at first I was scared. Thank you so much. Pamela Sikiti Great, only improvement possible is my technique. Phillip de Jager Lovely sweet little mare (Jameica). Not bad habits. Unbelievable scenery & magnificant beach rides. Hotels very accommodating was great. All Cheryls animals live in a very relaxed & calm surrounding, it is fabulous. Berverly Levis, Sandton Excellent trail ride. Loved Queen Sarabie! The swim on Selly was out this world - definately going to take our horses to the beach. Scenery was absolutely fantastic and one of the few remaining undeveloped parts of Africa hence the Wild Coast. Highly recommend! When we're back in South Africa, we'll back here! Thank you very much. Lisa Benson, Whitbourne, UK Loved my horse (Ondep Forina)! Seagulls (Hotel) was lovely, realy good food (seaffod platter is excellent) very friendly & fun. Wavecrest (Hotel), most amazing view, enjoyed trip down to the river & especially ride along the beach. Having the back up vehicle was a blessing, really good to have clean & dry clothes waiting on the other side! Thank you for a wonderfu; holiday! Louise Perold, Edenglen Quality of horses was excellent (Grey Mist) they made our trip. It was one of the best week of my life - a dream come true. Thank you for a wonderful time. Elaine Carlin, Halfway House Elaine has returned with a different group of between 8- 12 riders 7 times! For all three of us, you gave us horses that suited our riding capabilities, we all had the best time. Will be back wanting the same horses. Thanks for a great afternoon. Richard, Karen, Nicky De Lacy We loved every moment. Our guide made this trip fun form early morning until late at night with his jokes and funny sound effects. He was always patient, reassuring and damn good fun. I had the most fun with Selly (horse). She was brilliant to ride and I hope I will him again. The whole trip was worth it and I loved it. David & Belinda, Cape Town Belinda has been back on trail 3 more times! Well trained horses, good condition, learned a lot, great company. We had a great day and will spread the word. Thank you. Susan Mossie, Francois Breedt & Tinette v. Wyk, Parxs Joan Williams of Port Owen, a grandmother who has not ridden for 18 years: joined a five-day horse trail along the Wild Coast with Mkulu Kei horse Trails. She reports that they offered well-trained horses, competent staff and very comfortable accommodation at Seagulls and Wavecrest hotels. Joan has gone on to purchase her own horse and has taken up dressage and showing classes. Well done. Richard Foaden Bryanston Thank you so much! Corlea was such a great horse. That was the best ride I ever had! Love Britta from Germany Very Professional really enjoyed the ride. Money well spent! Thanks a mil Kurt Kidds Beach ''Mkulu Kei Horse Trails certainly more than met our expectations and we had a very special trip that we will always remember. What impressed us the most was the beautiful coastline and huge golden, deserted beaches, just perfect for long canters, the occasional gallop and even taking the horses into the sea. We also really appreciated the freedom and scale of riding available during the trail, which combined with strong and willing horses made for the best riding we have ever done - anywhere in the world.'' Again, thank you so much for enabling us to ride in such a fantastic part of the world. Nikki and Mike Thanks so much for the ride! You have an excellent ability to match a rider and horse. Nibbles is a darling. Keep up the good work. We'll be back. Rebecca This was a WONDERFUL ride - just the right length. I thoroughly enjoyed the cantering and the scenery was lovely. Must compliment you on the horses - they are in really good condition, well-behaved, a good gait and a comfortable ride. Also the tack, really well kept, very good saddles - very comfortable. Altogether the most professional, quality out-ride I've ever been on! I liked the way we were "introduced" to the horses and advised which ones were best for whom. Jill Schlachter For a novice, I was apprehensive to say the least, but this was soon dispelled thanks to Frans, and especially Cheryl's marvellous guidance. Beautiful scenery and superb horses made this a memorable day. Angus Firth, Rondebosch, Cape Town The ride was fantastic! It's great to learn to ride at a comfortable pace and at the same time to take in the most amazing African scenery. It's relaxing, but at the same time totally exciting. Thanks a lot for a fine example of South African hospitality. We hope to return again, and will defnitely stay longer. Andy and Sarah Mitchell, Lexington, Kentucky, USA OUTSTANDING, OUTSTANDING, OUTSTANDING !!! The best ride ever on a horse perfectly suited to me. Thanks a million ! Debbie Hally, Camps Bay, Cape Town HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone who wants to experience the South African Wildcoast, and travelling on horseback was just the ultimate. My horse was excellent, the guides superb and the Adventure Trail was just that - a Great Adventure. I've never before been so happy to sink my butt into a warm bath at a Hotel, or slump into a chair around the bar and have someone pass me the best beer I've ever tasted. Thanks a lot to Cheryl and Frans who made the trip totally memorable, fellow horsepackers, and of course, to my horse, Midnight, who carried this body for 5 days and never complained once ! I have taken films and films of spectacular scenery shots which I will treasure forever and will look back on with fond memories. Thanks, thanks, thanks ...We will be back! Sue Trollip, Wimbledon, London, UK What a fantastic ride ! The scenery was beautiful and the horses were wonderful to ride. Will definitely be back. Lisa O'Hara, Gonubie Ron Underwood, Sunnyridge, East London Prince was the most willing outride I have ever enjoyed. The riding terrain was well-prepared and it was quite the most outstanding riding trail I have ever had the pleasure of crossing - well done Cheryl - keep it up. Mike Mangold, Cambridge Thank you for an astounding holiday. Sometimes one has a fantasy in mind and the reality never quite lives up to it. The experience you gave us surpassed what ever I could have wished for. It was worth every well-earned ache and pain and I can't wait to do it again. As you know, we went on to Knysna and Cape Town but nothing came close to what we saw and experienced with you and truly hope to experience it again sometime. Simon Anstey JHB For all three of us you gave us horses that suited our riding capability, we all had the best time - will be back. And want the same horses. Thanx for a great time. Richard, Karen & Nicky Nibbles absolutely excellent for anyone. Hotels great Thanks for making my first holiday in four years very memorable. Frans was brilliant with the horses. We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged would like to say a big Thank you. To all our guests for sending us their horse trekking photos, these are your vacation memories. Thank You. The sound of the horse's hoofs on the sand or splash of the water will live with you forever. Whether you dream of riding along open savannah grasslands, pristine coastal forests or unspoiled Wild Coast beaches, there's a Mkulu Kei Horse Trail that suits your available time, riding level and budget ... Please read This unique South African horse trail offers a total riding holiday experience, incorporating beach, rural life and Safari riding, while giving you the chance to sample the undeveloped beauty of the South African Wild Coast. Awesome hacking conditions, the best riding countryside.
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You in the saddle soon! 
