30 Aug 2022
While in Rajasthan my husband and I and our two girls of 14 and 12 were keen to try and find a place to ride. It would have been wonderful to go for some days on a horse safari, but we hadn’t enough time, so we settled this time on going for a shorter ride. I’m so happy we came across Khush at Le Tour de India and DP Bana and his stud farm. We were taken in as friends to join a wonderful morning ride through villages and fields outside Jaipur. It was a completely different and wonderful experience to ride the sensitive, spirited and forward-going Marwani horses. Much care was taken by the captain leading the ride to ensure that everyone was managing with their mounts. When we returned after a great ride we sat in the shade to enjoy a lovely spread for breakfast, and then had a great time getting on a couple of the fantastic polo ponies they have at the stables, and trying to play some polo – so much fun! Aside from the wonderful horses and riding, what also made this such a special experience was the warmth and friendliness of all those involved. Khush from Le Tour de India, who organised the morning ride was as helpful as it’s possible to be. I had mentioned to him when we were organising our trip that we’d love to see a polo match while we were in Jaipur, and he written back to say that the season was unfortunately over. But the day we arrived in Jaipur he surprised us by writing to say that he had set things up for us to go and watch a match that evening! Great fun to go to the polo ground and take it all in. DP Bana, who met us and looked after us like family at the polo match and the next day at his stud farm from where we went on our morning ride, was just so generous and warm in including us and introducing us to his friends, who also joined us the next day for the morning ride. Altogether very special, as it felt as though we made a real connection with each other in just a short time. Way over and above the usual tourist experience. Thank you all. Very much hope to see you again.