by Anne Evans
Whether you are a life-long equine enthusiast or just a “day tripper” adventurous enough to try riding a horse on a stretch of beach, there is an equine niche for you on Grand Cayman. The following are some of your options based on my experience.
My Early Years with Horses
I am guessing that the first time I was on a horse was around 3 years of age. My parents put me on a horse’s back in a western saddle on the cattle ranch in Colorado where my Mother grew up. This was probably where I first fell off a horse as well! They let me have my own pony when I was 10, and from there I progressed through 3 more horses as I advanced to riding hunter jumper events. Then it was off to college and other than interacting with horses as patients (I became a veterinary dermatologist), I largely gave up riding as an adult.
Getting Back on the Bicycle
I was in my early 60s when we moved to southwestern UT, and I decided to take up riding again. I thought it might be wise to learn dressage, rather than resume hurdling over brightly colored obstacles. It was on a black roan mare named “Sugar” that I learned what it felt like to dance with a horse at the sitting trot.
On our way from Utah to our future home on Grand Cayman, we spent nearly a year in Florida, so the opportunity arose to resume my lessons – on an Appaloosa appropriately named “Detour.”
“An Appaloosa trained in dressage?!” you ask? Indeed – and he had amassed the ribbons to prove it. He was always kind and patient with me. However, I always rode him alone in the ring with his owner as an instructor, because the horse had issues with other horses – and we will just leave it at that.
A 2-Year Hiatus
Once we arrived on Grand Cayman, it was just short of 2 years before I was able to climb on a horse again, and it wasn’t because of lack of interest! If you’ve read elsewhere in this blog, you will learn that despite best laid plans, there can and will be unexpected challenges when transitioning to a new country.
I had done my homework, and I had a pretty good idea of the riding opportunities on my new island home – both to continue with serious dressage lessons as well as where to play “tourist” by swimming on horseback in the Caribbean Sea.
So, now with a car at my disposal and some KY$ in my pocket, off I went.
Introducing EC
My first dressage lesson on the Island was April 23, 2024. I chose The Equestrian Center Cayman Islands https://www.equestriancenter.ky
I had gone to see the stable and speak with the owner about my objectives the week before, and I concluded it would be a “good fit” for me:
- It was the nicest facility I had ridden in since growing up, with 3 well-groomed rings with good footing
- They had over 30 horses, so there was a high probability I would find at least one that would fit my needs (e.g., trustworthy, willing, some dressage training), and they already had several possibilities in mind
- Obvious concern for the horses’ wellbeing as well as the rider’s needs
- Female family owned with caring, hands-on management
My first lesson was not a disappointment; it was fabulous to be on a horse again and so I returned weekly. That said, after a few lessons we all agreed my first horse was not a good fit. She was not as willing as I might have liked and seemed to lack patience with me when I gave inappropriate signals. So, I was introduced to Whizz.
Whizz fits me like a glove – and apparently is a favorite of many other students as well!
Whizz in a native Caymanian – a “flea-bitten” gelding in his teens (but don’t be alarmed, “flea-bitten” refers to his light grey coat that is covered with rust-colored speckles). If you have confidence, he does too. “Willing” is his middle name (although perhaps not so much at the walk); just ask for the canter and off you both go as one at a delightful 3-beat. Never a moment of apprehension between the two of us. So, I am back in the saddle again re-learning the basic joys of dressage.
Introducing Equestrian Tourism
If you have never been on a horse before – or even if you have – a visit to Grand Cayman is a grand backdrop for riding. There are a number of businesses offering beach rides at the northern part of the West End of the Island (last count, 5), in the general area of Barker’s National Park & Beach:
I had driven or walked past some, however the method I used to select one for this first adventure was to simply phone and inquire about the services and rates. The type and length of rides were all fairly similar – basically 1-1 ½ hour rides on the beach with or without a swim on horseback included. I chose Spirit of the West based on the quality of that phone conversation. The woman I spoke with seemed to take my interests and reservation to heart (“Cayman Kind”). Again, I was not disappointed. I discovered during the ride that this was another caring Caymanian family business.
On June 6, 2024, a dear companion and I took off for West End. This would be the first time I had ever ridden a horse while swimming in the ocean – and her name was Diamond.
We were a delightfully small group of 7, including our Guide/Owner Jordan – probably because it was the beginning of Off-Season. My companion Joyce, like me, grew up owning and riding horses and had continued to own them as an adult. However, the other 4 guests were novices, so the pace was kept to a leisurely walk down the beach on this ride.
After about a ½ hour we dismounted, and Jordan removed the saddles. Four of us climbed back on bareback and followed Jordan into sea while 2 others stayed to swim – without horses – where they were.
The water was wonderfully warm and clear and the horses most willing to go in. It was quite shallow, so we had to go some distance out before it was actually deep enough that the horses had to swim.
Diamond was shorter than the other horses, so she was the first to start paddling and she was no quitter. She plowed forward until we finally took a u-turn and her hooves began to hit sand again. All the horses clearly enjoyed this diversion. Back on the beach, Jordan re-saddled our trusty steeds, and we began our return.
We could see the dark clouds gathering in the late afternoon sky. When we dismounted, the thunder started to roll and the rain descended. We expressed our gratitude and scampered off as Jordan was left to tend to the horses.
Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!!! Compared to my dressage lessons which are invigorating, tough work, this was an experience in the pleasures of mindless bliss.
Conclusion
If you aren’t a horse enthusiast, Grand Cayman may be the perfect place to find out what you are missing. If you are a horse enthusiast, Grand Cayman may be your perfect place to live.
Anne, what a lovely article. I enjoyed our day so much! I just wish my horse had a less sharp back bone on the ocean swim part!