Twenty-two horses and riders enjoyed a luxury fun ride around the grounds of a countryside hotel in Essex when the Down Hall Hotel Ladies and Gentlemen’s Hack took place for the second time in August.

Riders were encouraged to ‘dress for the occasion’ in their finest and most fashionable attire and had the opportunity to partake in a photoshoot in their finery in front of the hotel ahead of the ride.

Rachel Staples and Buddy, Best Turned Out award winners

NIKON D750 · f/8 · 1/2000s · 98mm · ISO400

The best turned out prize was awarded to Rachel Staples in her elegant concours d’elegance outfit with her grey gelding Buddy.

Participants rode in pairs or trios and were encouraged to ride at a leisurely pace as they followed a 5.5 mile marked trail through parts of the hotel’s 110-acres of woodland and open fields. There were opportunities to trot and canter as well as some optional cross-country jumps.

Food and music

Riders were treated to ‘brunch bites’ before setting off and enjoyed afternoon tea and live jazz on the terrace on their return while the horses received carrots from the Down Hall Kitchen Garden. The event was sponsored by Hunt & Hall and Bailey’s Horse Feeds.

The Down Hall Hotel Ladies and Gentlemen’s Hack is the brainchild of Camilla Sheeley of Glowments Wellness Events who partnered with Down Hall to create the ride which ran for the first time last year.

“Down Hall is such a landmark manor and estate, steeped in a rich history of royalty, ladies and gentlemen, of which the vast majority rode, that it seemed fitting to bring a little bit of that unique ancestry back to life. In the process of doing so it also opening the beautiful 110 acres of private grounds for many horses and riders to enjoy,” said Camilla.

“It’s a really special place to ride, and getting dressed up in your finest fashionable country attire for your own mini photo shoot at such a grand venue followed by traditional afternoon tea and live music makes it a stand-out pleasure ride that I just had to create,” said Camilla.

Next year’s event will take place on Monday 25 August.

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