Equestrian on Texel

Writing a blog about equestrian sports and horse riding on Texel suits me just fine. As I also practice equestrian sports myself and own a horse. We ride dressage (ZZ heavy starting, hopefully we will soon be able to make our debut in this class) and recently we also started jumping and we love to ride through the woods or over the beach!

On Texel, equestrian sports are definitely alive and well, there is also an association; called Paardensport vereniging Texel or 'PSV Texel'. The association offers a wide range of lessons, competitions and activities for riders and drivers on Texel. Manege Akenburg is the home base of the association. Located just outside the village of den Burg on the Akenbuurt. The stables has the following facilities: an indoor riding hall of 70 x 20 metres, an outdoor arena of 100 x 20 metres, a large lawn where competitions are held in the summer.
The stables is used for lessons, competitions, clinics, events and free riding.

Once a year, Texelweekend is organised, which is a 3-day competition (usually in April/May) and competitors can start from B dressage to grand prix. Jumping is also possible from BB to ZZ. Another fun part of this competition is the Freestyle. The freestyle can be ridden from Z1 level. Definitely fun to watch if you are on Texel and love equestrian sports.

During this competition, riders come from all over the country. They usually make a long weekend of it to ride on the beach and through the woods as well.

Besides competitive sports, Texel is the ultimate island to enjoy riding outdoors. Enjoy galloping over the beach or through the Texel pine forest. There are many bridleways in the woods, which can be recognised by the green sign with rider and horse. During the winter season, from 1 October to 1 May, horses and carriages are allowed on the entire Texel beach. In the summer season, from 1 May to 1 October, horses are welcome on the designated beaches from sunrise to 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to sunset. Tip: Pay close attention to the tides, at https://texel.de/nl/getijden-eb-vloed.php you can see exactly when it is high and low tide. At low tide, the beach is wide and hard and therefore excellent for galloping! At each beach junction, there are information boards with the (temporary) rules for that particular beach.

As a tourist, Texel is also a good place to go for forest and beach rides. You can hire a horse at manege Kikkert and manege Elzenhof in De Koog. You can then go into the woods with a group. If you are advanced, you can join a beach ride.

This is also a good place for the little ones: a walking pony for the smallest (from 2 years old) accompanied by a parent, or an instructive lesson for beginners or advanced riders.
If you would rather not sit on a horse but would like to enjoy nature with horses, you can also take a covered wagon trip on Texel, with the Jan Pleasure. These make wonderful nature trips.
Another option is to join the Jan plezier for a beach ride with a draft horse under the saddle. Another completely different experience with this breed.

What is also super fun and possible is to take your horse on holiday to Texel.
There are various stables on Texel that offer the possibility to stable your horse there. For example Stoeterij Rozenburg, the Eagles Ranch, manege Kikkert, horse hotel Texel and the Ruige hoogte.

The crossing with the TESO is also good to do with a horse trailer or horse truck. Transport with horses always has priority in crowded conditions, so you do not have to skip a boat. The crossing takes 20 minutes.

If you would like more tips on horse riding on Texel, you have come to the right place.

Hope to see you soon at Texel Holidays!
Marilyn Stroo-Brouwer