In the Who Rides in India section we hear from riders who have journeyed to India to ride the native breeds on a horse safari.
Kate rode with Dundlod Safariโs on the pioneering Jaisalmer Marwari Trail. This was the first horseback safari to depart from this ancient and beautiful part of Rajasthan.
Describe your riding background, Kate
I have been riding since I could walk, I remember being on a horse before anything else. We had stables in my childhood home in Ireland, and I owed horses right up to my university days. I started on small ponies and grew into horses, competing mostly in show jumping competitions with a few events and other activities for fun on the side. I competed successfully at 1.20m for several years before temporarily retiring to focus on my university studies in Architecture. I took several courses and exams in horsemanship and riding along the way as I always had a passion to learn more about my sport.
Why did you choose to ride in India?
It is a beautiful story and one you may find in a book. My first trip to India was in August 2018. I was invited to a wedding in India. On the plane over, I met my friend, Dushyant, who at the time was the crew manager of that flight. My friend recognised him and invited Dushyant over, introducing me. I began telling him what I did in college, my hobbies etc. His face lit up with joy as I mentioned horses as my soul love and passion in life, but how it had not been part of my life for several years. Dushyant told me he had stables in Gurgaon, and that his dream was to help horses and open a stable to care for ill-treated horses and educate people on the beauty of horsemanship and horse riding.
Our conversation ended there as he was called to work but we said we would exchange numbers for a future time to talk more about horses. After the wedding, I returned home and our talks went on for 6 months after, discussing and planning and creating his business which came to be โDuke Horse Riding Clubโ. I helped him with all things horsey and business, and together we built a dream that we both sought after. After a year, I had visited the club twice, finally deciding to live in India short term on and off. I fell in love with horses again, travelling over 7000km twice a year to follow my passion and dream and to build Duke Horse Riding Club with Dushyant. With our blood, sweat and tears, working in 40-degree summer, through the businesses first year open, we were successful. The club is growing every day, helping humans and animals alike.
Along the way, I met Mallyka Singh Dundlod and through her I met Nikki Watson. I was told of the safari that was being organised in August 2019. It was to be the most magical adventure, getting to first experience the Marwari breed of India. I fell in love with India even more. With Dushyant and I running a business, me volunteering my time to build our dream, it was nicely fitting that I got to experience another horse adventure with Mahima Rides and Dundlod Safaris.
How was your experience riding the Marwari breed of horse?
All my life I have ridden either thoroughbreds or warmbloods and a few other breeds in between. I had never ridden an indigenous breed of any country. I have great respect for culture and history as well as animals and to experience a breed that has both, like the Marwari, was truly amazing!!
I can safely say it was so different but magical. On the safari ride I rode a beautiful bay Marwari called Sonia. She was the spirited kind; she had all the paces except walk! Her fast-paced trot made it an exhausting experience, but I loved every minute of it. She wanted to be the leader and the fastest and losing control in her pace was a regular occurrence, speeding past the others in the line. The endurance saddles took some getting used to but fitted the hollow back of the Marwari so well, but it did not suit my bum!
The Marwari breed is narrow in structure but powerful, with flexible and fast paced movements. They truly own their name as โThe spirited Marwariโ.
KATE O’BRIEN
The most beautiful thing about the Marwari Breed is their curly ears which create an arch when pointed forward. I remember a few moments of the Safari where we halted on the side of a railway track as a horn blew in the distance. We stopped as not to go to close in case the horses spooked at the enormous Indian cargo train. As it passed, all the horses looked and pointed their ears towards the loud machine. As I peered through the ears of the Marwari, it framed the beautiful horizon. That moment felt like a western cowboy movie.
How would you describe riding in rural Rajasthan with Dundlod Safaris?
My club, Duke Horse Riding Club, is based in rural Gurgaon and is nestled into the Aravali Hill range. I always thought that was rural and wild with the vast landscapes and rolling hills. After going on the Dundlod safaris, I got to experience a whole new type of rural, a rural landscape with endless horizon lines of red sand and lone trees. Travelling through farms and endless landscapes was an experience I would never forget. The heat was intense, the beaming sun and the hot humid air made for an exhausting ride. However, to be there, in the wild landscape of the Rajasthan dessert made it all worthwhile as I felt I had gotten an experience of a lifetime.
Travelling through farms and endless landscapes was an experience I would never forget.
KATE O’BRIEN
Camping in glamourous tents in the middle of nowhere was a scary but exhilarating experience. The food was so tasty. By the second day I was eating the hotter Rajasthani dishes as I craved the spice after a long day riding. It was a holiday on my holiday, and I could not have been happier. It was a lifetime experience; I will never forget and would recommend any rider to experience an Indian horse safari.
What sets a horse riding holiday on Marwari’s in Rajasthan apart from other destinations?
I suppose I have never taken a riding holiday before the safari, not abroad or in my home country in Ireland. I suppose it is a good way to learn about an indigenous breed and experience some of the culture around it. The weather can be extreme but pleasant when its not to hot. Monsoon is something to experience.
What advice would you give a rider who is keen to come to India to ride the Marwari’s on a horse safari?
I packed light weight breeches for the hot weather, the more breathable the better. I also suggest bringing a saddle cover or seat pad as your backside can get very painful from the long hours riding. I brought a small backpack to carry essentials while on horseback, like sun cream and my phone for clicking photos. Electrolytes for the evenings is a must for rehydration. By the second night, it was on high demand, and I was dealing it out like water. Ha. Its great to keep the energy levels up and flavours the water.
At the top of Jaisalmer Fort 
Last day of the ride 
Horses at the camp 
You manage a riding school in Gurgaon near Delhi, tell us more about that venture.
Duke Horse Riding Club is an Indo- European owned Horse-Riding Club and Event Location in Gurgaon, India. We provide access to horses for everyone in a professional, affordable and beautiful location with well-kept animals, Western standard facilities and lots of fun and familiarity for riders of all ability and age groups. Nestled on the Aravalli Range passing through southern Haryana, the landscape provides picturesque and natural surroundings for exhilarating interaction with horses. Dukeโs is an escape from the busy city life for our members, a perfect daytrip through Gurgaon countryside on horseback for visitors and a unique location. Dukeโs is the only 5 star rated club in Gurgaon and is a great place to start a new hobby or rediscover an old one.
We rescue and take ill-treated horses and rehabilitate them, bringing them back to healthy and happy working horses in the club. Some recover well within a month with love and care but some care takes up to 6 months before they are at full health and fitness. We want to educate people on horses, how to care for them and educate people on animal welfare.
As I mentioned above, it was a unique connection with a person who shared my love and passion to set up a business in India. I felt India was full of dreams and opportunities and when life opens a door as beautiful as India, you must take it. I have been so lucky in my life with the experiences I have been given but it would not have been such if it were not for Dushyant and our shared love in horses.
The horse industry is the same all over the world and use riders share a community of like-minded people so I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable as I felt I was always with friends and family, business is hard, working abroad is challenging and being a young female professional has its issues but I wouldnโt change it for the world. The language barrier can be hard at times when talking to grooms and safe, but we communicate through the horse, movements and actions, its like an unspoken language and its universal. Knowing the horse world and running a yard in your home country and India is so different. At the beginning I felt confident in my knowledge but every where has different techniques. What was most challenging was accessing equipment, medicines and supplies easily. Before if I had an issue or injured horse, I would just go to the local animal hospital/vet or animal supply store. In India, I had no idea how niche horses are and how hard it was to find what I needed, because of not having resources, contacts or general knowledge of the area and then to add in the language barrier was a real struggle. I think the best thing was to have a groom who knew everything about the horses and their needs, for him to just direct me and then guide me in where and what I needed, because if you donโt have resources or the language, your knowledge is pretty useless.
My clientage at the club is mostly expats, so that has its advantages, however, without having local expertise who speak Hindi, you close off a large part of the potential market. We thrive to give everyone a chance to experience horses. We involve ourselves in the community, helping the local ragpickers and taking in animals which locals point out to us that are in bad health. Itโs so important to have a strong community around your business, respecting the local farmers, their land and the local villages.
Website: https://www.dukehorseridingclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DukeHorseRidingClubGurgaon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukehorseridingclubgurgaon/
