Alison and David Roper of Street House equestrian with theit two Welsh section b horses nine yera old Sidney and thirteen year old Molly.

A NEW horse trekking and trail riding business opened near Ravenstonedale this week.

Stonetrail Riding is a new enterprise at Street Farm which offers unique trekking and trail riding in the spectacular setting of the Howgills and Wild Boar fell. Non-riding members of a group can even hire mountain bikes and take to the trails on wheels instead.

The business is the brainchild of Alison and David Roper, who moved to the Eden area from Lymm with their sons Jack and Charlie last year. The couple have created luxury accommodation in newly converted stone barns and take both expert and beginner groups on trails and treks throughout the surrounding countryside.

Alison, a keen horsewoman, who was previously a personnel manager based at Manchester airport, chose Ravenstonedale specifically for its location near the stunning views and bridleway facilities. She and David know the area well, having spent many years visiting their holiday home in Mallerstang, where David’s ancestors lived many years ago.

Alison is the driving force behind the equestrian side of things, however, with David commuting back to work in Manchester, where he is a chartered surveyor and senior partner with property company Knight Frank.

Alison said: “We are probably the classic Build a New Life in the Country folk and we did become involved with Channel Five for a while about appearing on that series, but we decided we would prefer to get on quietly with our plans and avoid the TV cameras.

“We wanted to create a work-live business which had a strong emphasis on walking, cycling and horse riding. These are the activities we both enjoy and participate in and we believe we can offer a facility which understands and meets the needs of this type of customer.

“The move to Street Farm represented a fairly significant life change for us, but for David it was one which held a much more personal aspect. David’s maternal ancestors lived and worked in Ravenstonedale and the neighbouring dales as far back as records go, and our previous holiday home in Mallerstang was the home of one of his ancestors. David has been a regular visitor to these parts all his life and he admits he knew when the time was right he would return to stay.”

Alison says they delved into their new venture in the knowledge that equestrian businesses have tended to be in decline in recent times, but they believe this sort of business is needed in the Eden Valley, which has been identified as a potential horse-riding hot spot.

She said: “The quality of riding country on our doorstep is extremely good and the property was chosen specifically with this business in mind. The proximity to the Pennine bridleway was critical and we are developing the business to act as a ‘stagepoint’ for users of the bridleway, by offering stabling and cycle livery facilities.”

The couple have created a “riders’ lounge” facility, which is a private room to which riders can return at the end of their ride to enjoy tea and cakes or even a lunch. The aim is to create an atmosphere not just suited to already keen riders, but to also attract the relative beginner for a pampering break in the outdoors.

Alison said: “We plan to offer a range of bespoke day packages for groups which may include a trek, followed by a lunch and then a manicure and pedicure. These will be marketed as an excellent choice for birthdays or special celebrations.”

However, tourists are not the only target market, with Alison aiming to offer riding lessons, pony care days where local children bring their own pony for a day’s instruction and even pony parties aimed at teenagers, who will enjoy a private trek followed by a meal.

All instructors are BHS qualified. For more information or to book, visit the website at www.stonetrailholidays.com/horseriding/index.htm.