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Is there any equestrian sport here?
I’m happy to assure you that there are equestrian sports in Cyprus. This is, of course, good news for horse-mad people like myself, but the bad news is that it’s all organised on a very amateur level, and you won’t find any Grand Prix or even Small Prize competitions here. But first things first.
Stables and riding schools
What does someone living in Cyprus who’s keen on horse riding need to know? Or simply someone thinking about taking up horse riding in their spare time, when they’re not sipping frappés? What should you be prepared for, both mentally and financially? Ab ovo, or ‘starting from scratch’ – or, to be more precise, let’s start with where you’ll keep your beloved horse. Every town in Cyprus has stables. Some are better, some worse; some have competitive ambitions and riding schools, whilst others are simply so-called ‘livery yards’, where the horses stand peacefully in their stalls or paddocks, munching on hay, reminiscing about days gone by and occasionally heading out into the fields and mountains with their owners. These stables are much cheaper than professional riding schools, and a ride on horseback into the mountains will cost from 20 euros. Below, I’ll describe stables that offer riding lessons and, if required, horse boarding.
George’s Ranch in Paphos
In Paphos, I would recommend George’s Ranch. The stables are situated on the way to the zoo and boast, perhaps, the best view of any possible location. This is a place for ambitious riders, as the students at the school of the same name take part in every possible competition and achieve very respectable results, under the guidance of Caroline, the stable owner and founder of the school. She herself takes part in local competitions and rides the horses. The school also has highly qualified trainers who meet European standards. If you’re a tourist or are just beginning to explore the fascinating world of equestrian sports, you’re sure to enjoy horse rides through picturesque landscapes, with views of the sea and caves. You’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience, with breathtaking views and the chance to interact with these amazing animals. A lesson costs 30–35 euros, whilst keeping a horse here can cost around 400 euros a month. Lessons on your own horses are, of course, cheaper.
Curium Equestrian Centre in Limassol
In Limassol, the Curium Equestrian Centre is undoubtedly the leading facility, situated right on the seafront next to Curium Beach. Several large arenas allow a large number of riders to train at the same time, whilst lessons for beginners are held on school horses. The centre’s riders also take part in local competitions and organise their own events.
In Curium, it is almost always possible to hire a perfectly decent horse for training and competing. This will cost between 300 and 400 euros a month, depending on the quality of the horse on offer. Sometimes the rental cost can be split in half, for example, if you know you won’t be able to visit often or if the rental seems expensive. At the Curium Equestrian Centre, the focus is more on show jumping than on dressage. The trainers there vary – not all are of the same high calibre as, say, at George’s Ranch – but the owners are very passionate about what they do, so you’ll be pleased with your stay there. Tourists will find a walk along the sea surprisingly enjoyable – it’s not at all expensive, with prices starting from 20 euros, and the memories, as they say, are priceless. It’s worth noting that, unfortunately, swimming in the sea with horses is prohibited and carries a hefty fine in Cyprus.
Salt Lake Stables in Larnaca
In Larnaca, I can recommend Salt Lake Stables – it’s a very decent riding centre on the shores of a salt lake, not far from the airport. What’s more, it’s one of the few riding schools in Cyprus with an indoor riding arena, which certainly comes in handy during the summer heat. You can ride indoors, or take a horse for a short ride along the lake shore and (in season) admire the flamingos. Prices are roughly the same as elsewhere.
Lapatsa Riding School in Nicosia
There are several stables in Nicosia, but the very best and most professional is undoubtedly Lapatsa Riding School. This school meets international standards, and the stable owner, Telma Mavrinikola, competes in show jumping events across Europe and is also preparing to take part in the Olympic Games in Brazil. The head coach at Lapatsa is Mariano from Argentina, and, as is well known, riders from Argentina are among the very best. Ivo teaches dressage at the school; he is known both to his face and behind his back as the ‘dressage machine’ for his ability to achieve good results in competitions on any horse. At “Lapace”, you can hire a top-class horse and train with it under the guidance of instructors, but be prepared to pay around 1,000 euros a month for this. Of course, you can opt for a simpler horse and pay 200 euros a month in rent. For example, a beginner rider doesn’t necessarily need to start with a top-class horse boasting an impressive list of victories.
This school has a large show jumping arena, as well as a dressage arena and an indoor arena, where it’s always cool. The horses have stables with rubber flooring and spacious individual paddocks. If you board your horse there, the cost is very reasonable — €170 for paddock boarding and around €400 for a stable, but this price includes lessons, care and training of your horse whilst you are away. It’s worth noting that ‘Lapats’ hosts national-level equestrian competitions.
Equestrian clubs can be better or worse — but there are no bad ones here!
Of course, there are far more riding clubs in Cyprus. I’ve only highlighted those which, in my view, can be classified as among the best and more or less professional. But you can’t cover them all in a single article. The main point is that there are no stables on the island about which one would say: ‘Don’t go there under any circumstances’. And that’s very important.
The pros and cons of equestrian sports
I’d like to draw your attention to what equestrian sports and spending time with horses actually offer. First and foremost, an equestrian club is a place where you’ll meet like-minded people. People who share a common hobby – especially one involving horses – very quickly become, if not friends, then at least acquaintances with whom there’s always something to talk about. That’s why riding clubs are both a sport and a pleasant way to spend your time. Riding and spending time with horses relieves stress; however, I’ll write about this in more detail later, specifically about the therapeutic benefits of interacting with horses.
As for the ‘downsides’ of equestrian sports, all aspiring enthusiasts and professionals should be prepared for the fact that EVERYTHING to do with horses will be expensive. Whether you take regular lessons or get your own horse, it’s by no means a cheap sport. In turn, your loved ones will start receiving requests from you ahead of the holidays: ‘Please, a saddlecloth, a saddle pad and, if possible, some hoof supplement.’ Although, speaking from experience, I can say that your loved ones will be surprised for the first six months, but then they’ll get used to it. In turn, you’ll suddenly discover a strange quirk of your own body: for example, during the day at work you might have a headache, feel generally weak and drained, but for some reason — as soon as you arrive at the stables — these symptoms will disappear quickly and without a trace. You’ll start eyeing up fences and even road barriers, secretly wishing you could take them home with you: after all, they’d make excellent jumping obstacles.
A whole new world and a true friend
I once came across a saying on Facebook: ‘Horses are more addictive than cocaine, only they cost a lot more.’ And it’s true! Once they take up equestrian sports, whether a child or an adult, they discover a whole new world. A world where there is no longer any concept of ‘I’, only ‘we’. Every day, we entrust our lives to an animal that could kill us in a second if it suddenly chose to. That magnificent animal, which believes in and trusts its rider boundlessly, and for whom it is, in turn, vital to live up to that trust. This is the highest form of sporting partnership, where performance depends on how harmonious your partnership is, and how well you can hear and sense one another. Do not allow yourself to treat a horse merely as a piece of sporting equipment, and then you’ll discover a whole range of feelings within yourself that, as it turns out, you can experience for this large 600-kilogram friend, whom you may sometimes think of more often than other friends. You can miss it as you would a member of the family, and yet it will understand you without words. And whatever has happened to you during the day, the moment you step over the threshold of the stable, approach your horse, and – when it nuzzles your chest – everything else will seem less important. Your problems will fade into the background, your blood will race through your veins… And you’ll suddenly realise that life isn’t so bad after all, that everything will work out and fall into place. After all, you have a friend like that!
