High Country Life

Canada offers stunning mountain ranges, sparkling glacier lakes and vast backcountry that will delight horseback riders of all kinds. You can opt for short bushland trail rides or luxury two-day getaways staying in spa cabins – Canada has something exciting waiting to happen on horseback!

Elizabeth Letts is a lifelong equestrian and Pony Club graduate. As author of two remarkable horse books, these narratives portray an engaging community that transcends geography, cultures and politics.

Dollywood

Dollywood, winner of Theme Park Industry Legends Golden Ticket Award in 2015, enjoyed record-setting success! From amazing stage shows and award-winning roller coasters, to six spectacular festivals and nightly summer fireworks shows – guests experienced many seasons of enjoyable fun at Dollywood!

Dollywood’s Timber Canyon area opened this year, including Lumberjack Lifts, Lil’ Loggers’ Landing and Beaver Creek Boat Float. Additionally, Rumble in the Treetops lumberjack competition also debuted here for this year.

Dollywood guests were treated to six new shows during its Great American Summer festival. Lite the Night fireworks returned, along with Live From the Back Porch and additional concerts like Rock the Smokies; an all-day celebration featuring popular rock acts or praise and worship from Christian groups such as Third Day and For King & Country.

Dollywood Park launched KidsFest, one of the largest children’s festivals in the South. KidsFest featured two brand-new stage shows for children: VeggieTales and Garfield’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Party – as well as Buddy Baxter’s Bandstand USA rock n roll show and Randy Parton’s Country State of Mind concert which both made their Pines Theatre debuts. Barbeque & Bluegrass festival returned during summer while Harvest Festival featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights welcomed Nova Scotian DRUM!, Peruan Jallmay and Trinidad Invaders into its Harvest Festival featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights festivities.

Gazillion Bubble Show adds an exciting, mesmerizing splash of excitement and delight to Dollywood midway with its captivating spectacle of color, light and sound that amazes and amuses guests of all ages. Dollywood debuted Adventure Mountain – one of the nation’s largest challenge courses – as part of its 2010 expansion plan, boasting skyscraper height and over 140 interactive outdoor elements. Dollywood’s charming Country Fair offered visitors down-home food, classic carnival games, and old-fashioned family fun at Dollywood Park with rides such as Dizzy Disk, Amazing Flying Elephants, Waltzing Swinger, Spin Kid’s Rollercoaster Sky Rider Busy Bees. Additionally, sweet treats were served up at Taffy Kitchen Front Porch Cafe while guests also experienced live musical performances at Celebrity Theater Dollywood.

Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Dolly Parton’s Stampede offers a fun dinner and show experience for country music fans of all kinds. Enjoy friendly competition, amazing stunts and delicious cuisine during an immersive show that leaves audiences with lasting memories. Before the main performance even begins, guests can meet some of their stars during Horse Walk for photo opps that will create memories they’ll treasure for life! It is an excellent chance for families to create lasting memories together – something sure to delight you on any trip down memory lane!

Once the show starts, audience members will witness spectacular equestrian performers performing spectacular stunts in a 35,000-square arena. Dolly Parton’s Stampede features 32 magnificent horses and top trick riders for this must-see show for animal lovers and country music fans. They compete in carriage racing, pig races and lumberjack relays while providing comic relief and lively fun for audiences of all ages!

Visitors attending the show can enjoy a mouthwatering four-course meal featuring succulent rotisserie chicken, Dolly’s signature creamy vegetable soup, hot buttered corn on the cob, homemade biscuits and homestyle mashed potatoes, along with unlimited soft drinks and specialty dessert. All served without utensils so guests must dig in with their hands – you and the entire family will surely appreciate this delectable delight.

Dolly Parton’s Stampede offers an abundance of musical performances. In addition to amazing equestrian feats, guests will witness performances by the Blue Sky Choir and Smoky Mountain Boys – guaranteeing an entertaining evening for all! Don’t miss this experience that will leave audiences laughing and smiling from start to finish!

Dolly Parton Stampede is open year-round, but to guarantee yourself a seat for the show it is best to book tickets in advance. Often sold out during holiday seasons and featuring snowfall, dancing toys, live nativity scenes and familiar Christmas carols; tickets for Dolly Parton Stampede also offer special Christmas shows in late October/early December with snowfall, dancing toys, live nativity scenes and familiar Christmas carols – reserving ahead is key!

Morven Park

Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials are renowned competition venues that attract some of the world’s finest riders. Offering National levels from Novice through Preliminary as well as CCI2* and CCI4* divisions, as well as carriage driving events, hunter/jumper shows and dressage competitions throughout the year, this premier competition venue serves up some of the finest competition available today.

This venue is a 1,000-acre historic estate and horse park located in Leesburg, Virginia. Once home to Davis Mansion, it now serves as an internationally acclaimed equestrian center with hiking and riding trails and an outstanding Winmill Carriage Museum – plus it’s free! Visit from Friday-Monday.

This year’s event features a VIP Hospitality Tent that offers guests prime viewing of 4*-S and 4*-L dressage and show jumping, from Friday and Saturday (October 11-13). VIP passes provide access to this tent during all three days of the event with a welcome cocktail reception as well as access to it during all three days.

Visitors to the park should be warned of its uneven surfaces and slopes; from the parking lot to Davis Mansion, the route varies from standard road-grade in the parking lot to small-grade gravel before landing at sidewalk inclination at Davis Mansion. Furthermore, there is also a flight of 12 stairs leading up to its first floor before descending again at its conclusion of tour.

At this event, spectators can witness some of the top eventers from across the nation competing at Davis Mansion at the International Equestrian Center. Last year’s field included world rankings top eight Tamie Smith and Will Coleman; this year is expected to bring even more notable eventers like Ema Klugman, Mia Farley, and Buck Davidson as stars are set to attend.

This year, the event will host various vendors and food trucks that should offer affordable ways of enjoying the competition without breaking the bank. Furthermore, there will be a tailgate area, where fans can watch from their cars rather than walking or taking shuttle buses to watch competition unfold.

Leatherwood Mountains Resort

Leatherwood Mountains Resort is a gated vacation community of 125 homes that provides guests with luxurious amenities and a tranquil natural environment to experience the best of High Country living. Here you will find world-class equestrian events, Calluna Spa relaxation treatments and miles of hiking and horseback riding trails; every time you visit this mountain retreat there will always be something new to discover!

This area provides a range of equestrian facilities designed to meet the needs of riders of all ages and abilities, from beginner lessons at local stables to advanced competition at the world-class equestrian center – something for every rider to enjoy! Additionally, The High Country features areas where visitors can take scenic trail rides independently or participate in guided estate tours.

No matter if you prefer watching or riding, local horse shows provide an entertaining way to spend time with family and friends. One such show, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show – now celebrating 101 years! – allows visitors to see beautiful saddlebred horses competing across various disciplines.

Leatherwood Mountains Resort features an extensive year-round equestrian center as well as swimming pool, tennis courts, on site restaurant, tubing, fishing along a one-mile section of North Carolina hatchery support trout waters as well as many cultural events throughout the year for its visitors to enjoy.

At this vacation destination, everyone from beginners to experts can find something fun to do – there are over 50 miles of trails, an equestrian facility with year round training available, as well as various events designed to cater for different interests and hobbies.

An NC mountain getaway offers the perfect opportunity for romantic couples to make memories that will endure for years. Take in breathtaking mountain views from a covered deck, relax in a hot tub, or prepare delicious meals together using locally sourced ingredients in the fully equipped kitchen – and all this while creating lasting moments together in this charming cabin!