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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
STACEY ADAMS - PRESIDENT - ACTIVE TRAVEL
What could be more exciting than exploring your next vacation destination on horseback? Knowing that someone has personally tested and approved the trip to meet your standards.That’s a guarantee from owner and creator of Active Travel Inc., Stacey Adams. Stacey not only personally travels to and experiences every trip available with Active Travel, but she and staff continue to visit and reevaluate each trip every two to three years! So you can run with the zebras of Kenya, journey across the Andes Mountains ro gallop the beaches of Costa Rica – all without worrying about what to expect when you arrive.“We won’t sell a trip unless I’ve personally taken it” assures Stacey, “So every ride has been screened directly by me.” Stacey is herself an avid rider. Prior to starting Active Travel, she planned her own vacations around riding. When she returned, Stacey would recommend her trips to friends. Eventually she found herself planning at least a dozen vacations a year for friends and family. They encouraged her to take ht next step and form her own business.Active Travel offers two different types of riding trips: trail riding type vacations and training vacations.“Trail rides are broken down to stationary rides out from the central accommodations, and inn to inn or camping rides,” explains Stacey. The trail rides are offered in a variety of countries including France, Italy, Ireland, Costa Rica, Portugal, Spain, Peru, Scotland, Kenya, Argentina, New Zealand, the U.S.A and Tunisia.Training vacations are centered on improving riding skills in a variety of disciplines and for all levels. One vacation takes travelers to Portugal for individual training in classical dressage with the unique opportunity to ride full-blooded Lusitanos. Another offers riders the chance to try their hand at spinning and sliding stops on top level Reining Horses. These vacations cater to both the highest and beginner level rider. Riders are able to perform advanced level moves with experienced horses with additional time allotted to explore the surrounding areas.Additional trips for hunter, jumper and cross country training are also available. When screening each trip, Stacey sticks to Active Travel’s high standards when deciding whether to offer it to her clients or not.“Other businesses are not doing the same type of research that I’m doing. The staff is trained on what makes our trips better than any of those other options offered in the same area.”Stacey says her number one priority is the horses. “We make sure they are well taken care of by the facility;, they need to be healthy, to have a happy demeanor (not have any ill disposition moments); they need to be responsive. If you ask the horse to rein in a bit, do they fight you or are they willing to do that? That’s the most important thing, because all of our clients can forgive a lot of other elements such as a simple but clean accommodation, as long as the horses are outstanding,” Stacey explains.Next, Stacey must approve of the accommodations. These can range from a bed and breakfast or boutique hotel all the way to a five-star hotel; camping trips are also offered. Stacey feels accommodations hold a lot of weight for travelers who have been riding all day. “Most people have been riding five to six hours; they want a comfortable bed and a hot shower to come back to.”“Then I start looking at the destination itself. The itinerary needs to be somewhat diverse.” Stacey takes note of the topography and how varied it is compared with the destination points such as the Tuscany rides for example, which visit ancient walled cities, fortresses and castles. The result is an all around fantastic trip with excitement, comfort and no disappointments. Active Travel is also currently offering vacation packages to the 2010 World Equestrian Games. These are a one of a kind opportunity to sit in A Level seats, closest to the action, in either Dressage, Jumping, Eventing or Reining! The packages also include hotel accommodations. Find Stacey under Riding Vacations.
