Stacey Adams of Active Riding Trips is a veteran traveler and rider who loves helping horse people fulfill their equestrian travel dreams. From African safaris on horseback to trail riding through the Loire Valley in France, Stacey has done it all, and she’s an expert at tailoring unforgettable experiences for her clients.
Stacey shared with us why sightseeing on horseback is so immersive and unique and how it’s far more affordable and accessible than most people assume.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
BRU: Will you tell me a little bit about your horse background?
SA: When I was really young, we had some friends who bred Arabians, and we visited them on their horse farm. My first ride was on a sweet little Paint pony they had. Then, I started riding at the local barn around second grade.
The barn I went to as a child was a super interesting place, and it’s still there. It’s called New Canaan Mounted Troop and was founded by a lady named Margaret Cabell. It was a full-fledged horsemanship program.
I didn’t own a horse until I was around 27 and was able to purchase one. Now, I’ve had six horses over the past 30 years.
The mare I have now is everything I wasn’t looking for, but she’s absolutely perfect. I’m so grateful for all of the horses that came before her who taught me how to communicate effectively. We have a great time.
BRU: What has being around horses taught you?
SA: By nature of their size, they teach you how to be respectful. And once you learn the unique way that they communicate, it opens up a whole new world of discussion possibilities.
I often find those skills helpful when I’m having a conversation with someone and I’m feeling frustrated about the topic or trying to understand their point of view. It reminds me to step back, listen, and approach the situation more gently. It’s taught me to take a breath and slow down a bit.
BRU: When did you start traveling?
SA: I’ve traveled my entire life. My parents were avid travelers. When I was young, there were times that they’d travel 20 weeks a year. I was accustomed to them being in some far-flung place.
When they started taking me on trips, I had to pack and handle my own gear. I only packed whatever I was willing to schlep through an airport or a train station. We used a lot of public transportation. My parents’ goal was not only to show me other places but to give me the skills to do it myself.
BRU: How did you get involved with Active Riding Trips?
SA: In 2001, I was working for a Fortune 200 company in Connecticut, and I was literally on the road every day except Saturday and Sunday.
People used to say to me, “Oh, you’re so lucky. You travel every week.” But you’re not lucky when it’s Friday night and you’re in Greensboro, North Carolina, catching a small plane back to New York and your flight is canceled and you can’t get a flight until Saturday. I also had a horse I never had time to ride
One day I got a phone call from a headhunter who said, “I have a travel company looking for a sales manager. It’s about 40 percent travel.” That sounded much better to me, and I agreed to the interview and eventually went to work for the company.
In 2008, the owner became quite ill, so I purchased the company and rebranded it as Active Riding Trips.
BRU: What kind of travel experiences does Active Riding Trips offer?
SA: We have 91 trips in 21 different countries. The trips are broken down into lesson programs and trail programs, and we have combination programs that fall under both categories. We only work with guides who prioritize proper care and ensure their horses are well-suited to their jobs.
Most of our clientele are either pleasure and trail riders or people who want to travel somewhere new to improve their skills in dressage, cross country, or jumping.
The vast majority of the trips we offer are for people who ride regularly–people who can ride at all gaits and for long periods and maintain control of the horse. These are not nose-to-tail walking rides. Some of the trips can accommodate beginners, but most cannot. You must be a capable rider to do them.
However, if you want to travel with someone who doesn’t ride at all, we can accommodate that, and we offer great options that will fit their interests.
BRU: Are your trips tailored to a certain age range or budget?
SA: Some of our trips have a minimum age, but there’s no maximum age. We have folks in their eighties who are taking week-long trips, having a fantastic time, and doing just fine.
We’re working to bring younger people into the fold of equestrian travel and dispel the myth that it’s unaffordable. People often say, “Look, I really can’t afford to take a riding vacation.” They have this idea that it’s super expensive, and it’s not.
Our trips range anywhere from $1,600 to $5,500, on average, for a week. That includes accommodations, meals, and riding, so it’s a wonderful value. We even offer people the option to pay for their trip over time rather than all at once.
BRU: What do you think is especially valuable about sightseeing on horseback compared to other methods?
SA: There are so many places you can see on horseback that you would otherwise never be able to access.
For example, we offer a trip through the Scottish Highlands, and participants ride 25 miles a day. There are no roads or people, aside from the occasional distant hiker. It allows you to see the countryside in a pristine way that just isn’t available otherwise.
We also have a trip that crosses the Andes and follows the route San Martín took to liberate Argentina. Again, there are no roads, and you sleep under the stars.
BRU: Do you have any favorite equestrian trips?
SA: Oh, I’ve had so many unique experiences. A safari on horseback is especially memorable. You’re literally riding shoulder to shoulder with giraffes and wildebeest. You have to pinch yourself and remember, “This is the real thing–these are wild animals.” It’s special.
We also offer an incredible ride to Machu Picchu. It’s called the Salkantay Trek, and it’s a pilgrimage route with a wonderful heritage. The lodges that you stay in are all custom-built. They’re very luxurious, and everything in the lodge–every brick, every chair, every plate–was either delivered on a mule or by helicopter.
All of the trips immerse you in the local culture. You come away feeling like you know the area and customs and you understand who the people are. But a few trips take all of that to a whole different level.
For example, before I took the Normandy trip, it wasn’t really on my list of places to go because I was never a big history student in school. But that experience was magical.
When you ride on the beaches and see the American cemetery and the German battery, it’s still so real and present. And the people you meet are still so grateful for the Allied help during the war.
We have a trip in the Loire Valley that includes amazing tours of all the châteaux on the itinerary and the amazing chance to stay at the hotel adjacent to the Château de Chambord–it’s right there!
And you ride to these châteaux on the same forest roads they used in the 1600s. On one day, you enter the Château d’Amboise through the original gate, which cars can’t access. It’s truly unique and immersive.
BRU: What are the major benefits of booking an equestrian vacation through Active Riding Trips?
SA: We make it a point to take all the trips on the site ourselves so that when we tell someone what to expect, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. We work closely with the local guides before, during, and after to ensure the trip is incredible.
We have a lot of personal experience with this sort of travel, so we can help you select the best trip for your skills and preferences. It’s possible to book the same excursions directly with the guides, but there’s no need to. We guarantee the same price you would pay directly, and we’re readily available throughout the process and can advocate for you if you need us to.
For example, we helped a gentleman create an incredible custom trip in the Loire this summer, including a special proposal at Chambord complete with a professional photographer and champagne. Can you even imagine? So romantic!
BRU: What do you love most about helping people have equestrian travel experiences?
SA: I love making dreams come true! I also love meeting new people. I have so many close friends who started as fellow travelers and clients.
To learn more about Stacey and Active Riding Trips, please visit ActiveRidingTrips.com. Or find them via social media on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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