Gallops, Giggles, and Great Memories:
2025 with Wild Coast Horses

I don’t think any horse riding establishment ever has a year that goes exactly according to plan, and 2025 certainly threw Wild Coast Horses one or two curveballs. There were times when either the weather or the tides refused to cooperate with our plans, and other times when one or two of our most reliable and popular trail horses needed some months off to rest.

But, one or two setbacks do not a disaster make, and our memories of the year are filled with countless moments that remind us why we do what we do. When guests book their next trail the moment they arrive home from the first one, when new horses take to the trails like ducks to water—these are the moments we cherish and celebrate.

While 2025 may not have been our busiest, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who shared it with us, whether for a couple of hours, a few days, or several months.

Watching our horses go from careful beginner rides to fast-paced overnight trails is what makes our work so rewarding. And watching you fall in love with them too, adds the cherry on top!  With that in mind, here are some of the highlights and successes that made 2025 such a memorable year:

Some of the Highlights and Successes of 2025

#1 Finalists in the Eastern Cape Tourism Awards

Battling it out against some of the biggest and most successful adventure attractions in the province, Wild Coast Horses was delighted to be named one of three finalists in the Eastern Cape Tourism Awards’ Ultimate Adventure Attraction category.

Eventually pipped at the post by Face Adrenalin – Bloukrans Bungy, the extreme-adventure giant behind the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy and a whole collection of Guinness World Records, it really was a David-and-Goliath moment for us! 

We’re incredibly proud to have received this recognition, especially here in the Adventure Province of South Africa, where the competition is fierce.

Our herd of horses did us proud—but not quite as proud as you did! Securing over 50% of the total votes in the Ultimate Adventure Attraction category definitely made us feel like winners, and we couldn’t have done that without you. Thank you.

#2  New Additions to Our Top-Tier Crew

We welcomed several new horses to our herd this year—some of whom seem to have been dreaming of life as trail horses long before they even arrived! Quinn is the latest recruit to join our top-tier trail crew. With his giraffe-like proportions and wonderfully comfortable stride, he’s quickly becoming a fast favourite among more advanced riders looking for a bit of a challenge without sacrificing comfort or safety.

That said, he has developed an over-enthusiastic love of water, resulting in some damp clothes for his unlucky rider! But then again, those little quirks are exactly what make our horses so wonderfully unforgettable and prove that we don’t force them into boxes - but allow their personalities to flourish!

Alongside him, we have the youngster Askari, who’s eager to prove his bombproof nature, while stealing his neighbour’s lucerne bucket, and the brand new miniature, Ted, who may turn out to be more of a mascot than a useful member of the equestrian team!

#3 New Demands and New Recruits

Midway through the year, we welcomed Kate Shirran to our team. With extensive experience leading trails, hosting riders, and training young horses, Kate brings a myriad of welcome skills to the yard, along with a pair of short legs and a big smile!

Don’t worry, Kate, we needed another shortie for reaching those tricky corners, handling the ponies, and so we have someone else to laugh at when they can’t reach the hay bales!!

#4 When Guests Become Part Of The Herd

With a new team member helping things along, our working riding holiday flourished under the careful attentions of operations manager Melanie and our favourite home-based guide, Michelle. 40 people (mainly women if we’re honest about it) from all over the world joined us for anything from a week to three months, caring for the horses, experiencing life on the Wild Coast and, most importantly, embracing the simple rhythm of eat, sleep, ride, repeat.

These longer, more immersive riding holidays give riders the opportunity to really connect with the horses, deepen their riding skills, and fully soak up the beauty and rhythm of life on the Wild Coast. Sadly, one of the side effects is that they settle themselves into our lives, making the goodbyes a little bittersweet and much harder than anyone expects.

#5 Just Another Year

Perhaps the thing that stands out most about 2025 is that, at heart, we’re still doing the very same thing we were 22 years ago when we started. We’re still celebrating our beautiful country, and living an authentic life where the challenges of the Wild Coast are part of what drives us forward. 

Our love for the work we do remains our real motivation. Watching the horses’ enthusiasm for every beach canter reminds us to cherish the simplest moments—because for someone out there, being part of Wild Coast Horses, whether as a guest or a guide, is still a dream in the making.

Conclusion

While every year has its curveballs, 2025 has given us much to celebrate and, somewhere along the way, reminded us why we do what we do. With a wonderful team, an incredible herd, and riders who bring so much energy and laughter to every trail, we’re looking forward to what promises to be a very successful 2026. 

Sure, we’re ready for the challenges, but we’ll also be making sure to pause, laugh, and savour every stride along the way.

Here’s to more adventures, more laughter, and more unforgettable moments on the Wild Coast!