Hill Farm Riding Stables

My wife wanted to go horseback riding while in Ireland and since she is an experienced rider, was hoping to ride on a beach. Hill Farm run by Gabrielle were happy to accommodate. The stables are located near Downhill on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. Beautiful countryside. Gabrielle and her team are wonderful. We arrived before 9 and the horses were saddled up and off they went down a back road to the one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. Highly recommended for riders wanting the ultimate Irish beach ride experience.

I grew up on the North Coast and now live in Scotland. I brought a friend home to stay with my parents and show her the local area. We both enjoy horse riding so booked in for a beach ride. We were advised that it had to be first thing in the morning as horses aren't allowed on the beach later in the day so arrived at 9am.

It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We were greeted, met our horses and were observed riding in the arena to check were had the skills to manage the horses on the open beach Which gave me confidence in their safety procedures. We then rode down the beautiful country roads to the beach where we enjoyed stunning views of Mussenden Temple, the railway and over to Donegal. We had loads of opportunities to canter which was really fun before a leisurely walk back and lovely chats with the lady who accompanied us throughout. She also advised us on tips about the horses 'personalities' which was very helpful and made us feel more confident.

My friend has since been back to the area and booked in for a return ride and I will again soon myself. Highly recommended!

I initially emailed Gabrielle to organise a beach ride. She was very helpful and asked about my level of experience and fitness to make sure I could handle the ride. We decided that i would come up and go on shorter hack to see how I got on since it had been a couple of years since I went riding. I went out with Ciara and even though the weather wasn't great, I really enjoyed myself. A couple of days later I went out on the beach ride with Megan. Both girls were friendly, helpful and very professional. Downhill beach is a stunning place to ride, thank you for all your help and for arranging the sun to shine that day lol. Ashley

Would not recommend this place to anyone! On arrival staff unfriendly and not helpful at all but when you meet the owner that does not surprise me. The owners attitude was nothing but obnoxious and actually rude to say the least nothing constructive or positive about the comments she made to a child. Definitely not a pleasant experience for kids unless you want to be criticised and totally shatter a child's self esteem and confidence. I found her attitude very unprofessional especially when she totally undermined other registered BHS riding schools and there teaching. She might do well to appreciate that all ponies are different it does take a few minutes to get the feel of the pony . Avoid this place and save your money!

We thought it was going to be a good day for trekking thru the northern Irish country side. However, like predictable Irish weather, the downpour ensued and soaked us head to toe. Even so we had a great time and wonderful guide (Cira) who engaged us in conversation and fun facts about our horses and their temperaments. Affordable at £15 per rider. Would recommend if traveling thru the northern Irish coastal area.

Hill Farm riding Centre had been recommended to me by a friend back home in Vancouver who had visited the riding centre in 2013. She had raved about the fantastic ride along the coast. I knew that we would be in this part of the country as the Giant's causeway was also on our to do list. I am so glad my partner and I made it over to Castlerock. The ride on Down hill beach with the Hill Farm horses was definitely one of my best experiences on our Ireland trip.
Gabrielle ensured that every attention to detail was correct, she chatted to us about our experiences and was warm and welcoming. She matched us up with the perfect mounts and the horses were brilliantly behaved on the beach and responsive when we wanted them to be. Chad and Bessie were amazing. I would definitely recommend that you try this and let the sea air and the waves surround you! Great fun! Debbie H

I've been to Hill Farm twice when visiting NI - July 2015 and 2014 - and did the beach ride both times.
I would definitely recommend the beach ride if you are an experienced rider - it includes lots of cantering along the beach and both times I had a looked after and well behaved horse. It was great fun!
The staff were cheerful, helpful and I certainly would plan another ride there if I get back to NI.

I took my wife and nephew for a birthday beach ride at Downhill strand with Hill Farm Riding Stables. It was an utterly brilliant experience from start to finish. The booking process was painless and painstaking, The staff, horses and equipment was excellent AND the setting was purely stunning! The ride went through a gentle valley dressed in its best autumnal colours, down one of the most breathtakingly beautiful roads in Europe to the fabulous beach. Downhill lies in the shadows of Benevena Mountain looking across the sea to the hills of Donegal. The golden sands sun smooth for almost 8 miles and both horses and riders just love it. Amazing!

I haven’t rode in 25 years and I was terrified, the team were so lovely and helpful. My daughter loved it and her mummy was so nervous but we had a great day out.

I've been at Hill Farm for about 5/6 years now since I was 9 as part of the pony club and it's been an amazing inspirational part of my time growing up. Getting to know the beauty and structure of the horse and creating a bond with many of the horses we have there.

It all started when I was just coming for lessons and getting to know how to control my horse and create a bond and simple things a beginner would learn until the stable girls would tell me that they are part of the pony club and the things they do; groom, bond, ride, feed, take them to the feild bareback!! and get them early in the morning ready for the day ahead and all the fun things they do when I started to do so..

Soon after becoming part of the pony club and doing more lessons learning the rythm of the movement and all the small things I don't realise I do now because of how well I've been taught compare to all the other stables I've beem to. I began to do all the fun things and creating new and more friends everyday, customers who came to Hill Farm to tell them about how much it's changed my view of a horse and making my time worthwhile and something I will never forget for a lifetime. I feel welcomed everyday and look forward to a new day ahead. I would highly recommend Hill Farm to come ride, it's a riding stables of a lifetime:)