Welcome to Welsh Equestrian from localriding.com bringing you horse
riding holidays and equestrian events, facilities and competitions in
Wales.
Read on to discover the true pleasures of horse riding in Wales.
Welsh Equestrian
Events
Symbols & Images of Wales
Welsh Riding Holidays
The Welsh Weather
The Welsh Equestrian landscape is a rugged land full of wide open spaces,
with green valleys that stretch for miles and a large rural equestrian
population. Wales has excellent access to good horse riding and other
equestrian pursuits.
Horse riding and Welsh equestrian events like the Ffosyffin Show held
in June or the Trellech Country Fayre & Horse Show are among the must
see equestrian events held each year. As are ;
The
Royal Welsh Horse Show
The
Denbigh & Flint Show
The Merioneth Agricultral
Society Show
The
Anglesey Show
The Cerrigydrudion
Show
About Wales, Welsh history and the Welsh people :
Wales (Welsh: Cymru; pronounced KUM-ree) is one of the four constituent
countries of the United Kingdom and is located in the south-west of Great
Britain. Bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel (Môr
Hafren) to the south and the Irish Sea (Môr Iwerddon) to the west
and north, and also by the estuary of the River Dee (Afon Dyfrdwy) in
the north-east. Wales is the largest principality in the world.
 Welsh
cultural identity is represented by elements such as the Welsh language,
monastic asceticism, a highly evolved secular legal system (Cyfraith Hywel),
and a distinctive literary tradition which emerged after the Roman withdrawal
from Britain in the 5th century.
Of the principal polities within Wales, only Gwynedd retained independence
until the late 13th century, when it too was conquered by England. However,
formal annexation and abolition of Welsh law did not take place until
the 16th century. Wales (with all regions united under one government)
has never been a sovereign state, although a number of rival principalities
remained independent until the Anglo-Norman conquest.
From the 19th century on, parts of Wales became heavily industrialised,
exporting vast quantities of coal and steel and establishing a large manufacturing
base which has only recently been overtaken by the service sector.
Two thirds of the population of Wales live in the valleys and coastal
plain of the south, with a further significant population concentration
in the north east. The remaining areas in Mid Wales, the south west and
west are predominantly rural and characterised by hilly and mountainous
terrain.
From the 20th century a revival in Welsh national consciousness and sentiment
has taken place. The largest city in wales is Cardiff (Caerdydd) which
was established as the capital of Wales in 1955.
The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was formed
in 1999, with powers to amend primary legislation from the U.K. Parliament.
These powers were widened by the Government of Wales Act 2006, and the
Assembly can now propose and pass its own laws......... but only after
permission is granted by the UK Parliament.
The
Fabulous Welsh Coast
Seven hundred and fifty miles of coast land borders a National Park that
is virtually surrounded by the sea, and fantastic beach riding. You can
ride on the North Wales coastline in designated areas, on Anglesey, around
Cardiganshire, Pembrokeshire and on Gower. There are specialist centres
that offer beach riding, and there is nothing that revives your spirit
like a morning canter through the surf of the Welsh coastline.
There are over 40 Blue Flag beaches in Wales, often signposted on the
main road. Most beaches will be safe and clean, but take heed of warning
signs making you aware you of danger. Particularly on the Pembrokeshire
coastline and the Lleyn peninsular.
The Welsh coastline is full of history with stories of shipwrecks, pirates
and smuggling. The maritime history of Wales owes much to the bad roads
on the land, many of which are now old tracks used as bridleways.
Many small ports are within distance of riding centres and well worth
a visit. The newly opened Waterfront Museum in Swansea takes you along
a journey into the Welsh past. There is much to learn by visiting the
old ports of New Quay, Aberaeron, Tenby, Nefyn, Moelfre, Beaumaris and
Porthmadog.
The Flag of Wales
 (Y
Ddraig Goch) incorporates the red dragon of Prince Cadwalader along with
the Tudor colours of green and white. It was used by Henry VII at the
battle of Bosworth in 1485 after which it was carried in state to St.
Paul's Cathedral. T
he red dragon was then included in the Tudor royal arms to signify their
Welsh descent. It was officially recognised as the Welsh national flag
in 1959. The British Union Flag incorporates the flags of Scotland, Ireland
and England but does not have any Welsh representation.
The flag of Owain Glyndwr
 Many
welsh people believe this fllag, which has 4 squares alternating in red
and yellow and then a rampant lion of the opposite colour in each square,
is the true flag of Wales. Believing Owain Glyn Dwr was the last real
Prince of Wales.
Owain Glyn Dwr (anglicised as Owen Glendower) led a Welsh revolt against
the English crown between 1400 and 1409. He was the last man to claim
the title of independent prince of Wales.
Glyn Dwr was educated in England and joined the English army. He took
part in an invasion of Scotland and then retired to his estates in Wales.
In 1399, against the backdrop of Richard II's overthrow by Henry Bolingbroke,
Glyn Dwr's long-running land dispute with his neighbour, Reginald de Grey,
escalated into rebellion. Glyn Dwr proclaimed himself prince of Wales
in September 1400.
 The
Dragon, part of the national flag design, is also a popular Welsh symbol.
The oldest recorded use of the dragon to symbolise Wales is from the
Historia Brittonum, written around 820, but it is popularly supposed to
have been the battle standard of King Arthur and other ancient Celtic
leaders.
This myth is likely to have originated from Merlin's vision of a the
Red (Wales) and White (England) dragons battling, with the Red dragon
being victorious.
Following the annexation of Wales by England, the dragon was used as
a supporter in the English monarch's coat of arms.
The leek
The leek and the daffodil are both emblems of Wales and they share the
Welsh name Ceninenis.
According to legend, Saint David ordered his Welsh soldiers to identify
themselves by wearing the leek on their helmets during an ancient battle
against the Saxons, which took place in a field of leeks.
 The
leek is known to have been displayed as a Welsh emblem in 1536 and in
Henry V, Shakespeare acknowledged this as an ancient custom.
The daffodil
The Welsh national flower is worn on St David's Day each March 1. (In
Welsh, the daffodil is known as "Peter's Leek", cenhinen Pedr.)
The daffodil has no such claim to literary and historical distinction.
It has become the more favoured emblem of late, however, since some
people find that it makes a more attractive buttonhole on St. David's
day.
Daffodils and new-born lambs herald the summer in Wales
The Sessile Oak is the national tree of Wales.
The Flag of Saint David
Thi flag of St. David is sometimes used as an alternative to the national
flag. Today it is used as part of Cardiff City Football Club's crest.
It is flown every year on St David's Day.
The Coat of Arms of the Principality of Wales
 This
flag is used by Charles, Prince of Wales as his personal standard.
The Fleur de Lys
The Prince of Wales's feathers,the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales
is sometimes adapted by Welsh bodies for use in Wales. The symbolism is
explained on the article for Edward, the Black Prince, who was the first
Prince of Wales to bear the emblem; see also John, king of Bohemia. The
Welsh Rugby Union uses such a design for its own badge.
Select a Welsh county for horse riding and equestrian facilities in that
area :
Anglesey - Brecknockshire
- Caernarfonshire
- Cardiganshire -
Carmarthenshire
- Denbighshire - Flintshire
- Glamorgan - Merioneth
- Montgomeryshire
- Monmouthshire -
Pembrokeshire - Radnorshire
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