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Straight from the Horse's Mouth! - 'RideBorders Ride-Guide' 2010 Common Ridings Guide for riders considering taking part in our unique traditional Border festivals.
Part of the annual Common Riding festivals - the Scottish Borders holds a unique range of spectacular rides which local people, their friends and family plus many visitors are welcome to enjoy. They are great fun to watch but if you want to take part on horseback, it's important that both you and your horse are fit enough. Some of the rides are very demanding; others are easier. If you are hiring a horse, it's also important that you are honest with yourself and the supplier of your horse, about your riding ability so that everyone can have as much fun as possible. If hiring a horse, it's sometimes wise to understate your riding ability so that you are sure to get something you can control. There's nothing more miserable for everyone than to watch someone out of control endangering themselves, their horse and all those around them.
In response to demand Rideborders is pleased to announce the new ride list for 2010. We are keen to develop this list for everyone's benefit so if anyone would like to add any information which they feel may be useful for people to know do get in touch by e-mailing us on
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To help you choose the rides that suit you, we have created the following star rating system.
* rides - novice - easy, nearly all walk and trot, suitable for children and more nervous riders perhaps not used to riding in large groups of horses.
** rides - intermediate -definitely walk trot and canter,possibly gallop, perhaps river crossing, riders must be able to control their horse at all paces and in company.
*** rides - advanced, - mostly longer rides, several hours in the saddle over some challenging terrain - definitely cantering and galloping, some fast and furious. Horse and rider must be capable and fit.
What to Wear - Respect for tradition always goes down well with all riders wearing smart, practical riding wear. There are no strict rules but traditionally, riders and their horses are always well turned out on these rides and take great pride in their appearance, which certainly contributes to their very special nature. Most important of course is that all riders wear a good hat that meets current safety regulations. You may be in control of your horse but someone else near you may not and you must be aware of that!
The Rides
May
Hawick Common Riding and associated rides
Hawick - Bonchester*** Saturday 8th May - 2pm - 8pm
Hawick - Roberton *** 15th May(break in middle, 2nd half more demanding)
Hawick - Spurs Night - 21st May
Hawick - Philipbrig - 22nd May
Mosspaul - 29th May*** 12noon - 8pm
Mosspaul - 1st June*** - 12noon - 8pm
Thursday evening chase* - 3rd June
Denholm** - 4th June - 1.30pm - 8pm
Thursday morning chase* - 4th June
Hawick Common Riding Friday** - 5th June
Selkirk Common Riding** - Friday 18th June - 7pm - to around 11.30am(horses muster at Mungo Park monument from 6.30am for departure at 7am).
Melrose Festival Week - 21st - 26th June - Rideout 21st
Peebles Beltane - 20th - 26th June
Rideouts - Wednesday 20th June*
Saturday 23rd June
Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering - 28th June - 3rd July
Lindean Rideout** - Monday 28th June
Torwoodlea Rideout* - Wednesday 30th June
Gala Day** - Saturday 3rd July
Jedburgh Callants Festival - 20th June - 10th July
Morebattle Rideout*** - Sunday 20th - 12.00 noon - 7pm
Southdean Rideout*** - Saturday 26th June - 1.00pm- 7pm - (tough and exhilarating)
Crailing Rideout** - Thursday 1st July - 6.15pm - 9.30pm (lovely, evening ride)
Redeswire Day Rideout*** - Saturday 3rd July - 10am-6pm (great, hard ride)
Queens Rideout** - Monday 5th July - 6.30pm
Lanton Rideout* - Tuesday 6th July - (nice novice ride)
Ancrum Rideout** - Wednesday 7th July - 18.00
Festival Day Ceremonial Rideout** - Friday 9th July - 8.30
Duns Summer Festival - Reivers Week
Wednesday Rideout** - 7th July - lovely scenic intermediate
Saturday Rideout** - 10th July- 8.30am - 2pm
Langholm
Langholm Benty** - 17th July
Langholm Castle Craig** - 24th July (mainly Langholm rides or by invitation)
Langholm Friday** - 30th July
Kelso Civic Week - 19th - 24thh July
Kelso Monday Rideout* - 19th July
Kelso Tuesday ** - 20th July
Kelso Thursday* - 22nd July
Kelso Friday *- 23rd July
Kelso - Yetholm*** - Saturday 24th July - marathon! 8am - 5pm (long 'lunch' break at Yetholm)
Musselburgh
Musselburgh Monday** - 26th July
Musselburgh Saturday** - 31st July
Lauder Common Riding
Lauder Thursday** - 5th August
Lauder Saturday** - 7th August
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Coldstream Civic Week
Coldstream Monday* - 2nd August - lots of road work
Coldstream Wednesday* - 4th August - bit faster than Monday
Coldstream Thursday** - 5th August ( Coldstream's big ride)
Coldstream Friday ** - 6th August - children welcome
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The above is merely a guide to riders who must carefully assess their own ability before taking part. It was prepared by RideBorders in association with Lesley Douglas who have first hand knowledge and experience of these rides and who are well placed to clarify what's involved. Lesley Douglas owns and runs Langlee Riding Stables, Langlee, Jedburgh from whom horses can be hired. Click here for details .
If you require any information about any of the Common Ridings including how you can take part please e-mail
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and we will do our best to help out.
(Neither RideBorders nor Lesley Douglas can accept responsibility for any rider taking part in the above rides. Riders do so entirely at their own risk).
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