From Port Elizabeth Area, South Africa, Cheryl Giacchetti is a Founding Board Member of Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Riding Holidays cc.
An avid
equestrian, Cheryl enjoys sharing the waves with other riders! Gorgeous horses, stunning landscape, beautiful accommodations, and much more. If you’re looking
for the perfect South Africa horseback riding adventure, connect with Cheryl
and find what is waiting for you on the Sunshine Coast!
Describe your first
encounter with a horse…
I have
been around horses and riding since I was 6 years old and they have fascinated
and attracted me ever since.
Do you prefer one breed
over another?
I do not
have any breed preference but rather look at the individual in terms of
confirmation, attitude and temperament with reference to the discipline of
riding that I am doing at the time. I also look at the bond I have with the
horse as I feel that this is possibly the most important aspect.
Where do you like to
ride?
Anywhere
as long as it is on the back of a horse, but I must admit that if pushed for a
favorite place it would be on the beach cantering through the waves.
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| Cheryl and Poseidon |
Describe Mkulu Kei Horse
Trails & Riding Holidays cc...
I started
the horse trails in 1998 with a few working horses and developed the operation
from there. Initially I was focusing on the longer trips up the Transkei coast
but with a young family I found I was away from home too much. My partner Don
took over the long trips while I built up the day rides for the novice and
first time riders on holiday in Morgan Bay. We built up our herd of working
horses to 45 so we had a range of different horses to suit a wide range of
riding abilities with more youngsters in training to replace the older ones as
they retired from the trails. The operation has twice won the Eastern Cape Tourism Board’s “Best Horse Trail” award of excellence. In 2014 we
decided to expand the operation and focus on the Sunshine Coast. The area
offers all that the Transkei has and a whole lot more, including riding in game
as a part of the coastal trails. With the better accessibility along the coast
we can now offer a wider range of options and more variety in terms of riding
an accommodation.
How many horses do you
stable?
All our
horses live out and in as natural a herd as possible.
Are you open all year?
We are
open all year except for the period between 15 December to 15
January, as this is peak holiday season along the coast and we have difficulty
getting accommodation bookings. Our trails start on the 1st Friday of
every month (except January) but we can book other dates on request and as long
as the group is big enough.
Do you have diverse trails for different skill levels?
We can
cater for all riding abilities but try to match the rider’s abilities on trail
so that all members of the group get the pace that they are happy with. If
there is a wide range of abilities within the group we will lay on an extra
guide and split the group into two, novices and advanced.
What is the best time of year to schedule a riding holiday?
Any time
of the year is great, our winters are very mild and the sea breeze keeps
everything cool in summer. We cannot offer the game rides in June and July as
the parks are closed to visitors.
What does horsemanship mean to you?
Forming a
bond with the horse on the ground before you ride, having empathy for the horse
and working with and riding the horse as naturally as possible. Communication
in a manner that the horse understands and responds to willingly is, I believe,
the key.
Connect with Cheryl...
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