buckle up bushrides - day rides

It's very hard not to sound trite when trying to convey how much we enjoy the trips we've had with Paul, Shelly Kaye and the other team members over a number of rides. The team are fantastic company, yet consummate professionals; the horses are superb and beautifully cared for; the food is excellent; the camp operations are efficient and accommodation comfortable; and the countryside is fantastic. Riding with them is a tonic; a cure for the urban atrophy of the spirit. Get yourself and your children away from social media and do something inspiring together!See what I mean? Despite my efforts it's still a review full of hackneyed adjectives, none of which do justice to the experience.

When I chose to book a horse trek with Buckle Up Bushrides, one of the most important factors for me was how well the horses were cared for. Shelly and Paul’s genuine care and deep respect for their amazing team of horses was evident from the first moment and their invitation to riders to embrace a thoroughly rewarding ride amongst the varying delights of this special area of our country was heartfelt and supported in every way, with every step.Shelly and Paul, and their team, bring much to this experience. Their knowledge of the area, and their generous teaching of horse riding and handling skills made this a rich experience that elevated my riding confidence and has instilled in me a passion for more. It seems that great people, with great horses, attract great people and I really enjoyed sharing the five-day trek over Mt Stirling and down the Howqua River with an intimate group of interesting and friendly people. I arrived alone but left with new friends and lifelong memories. The meals prepared by Kay were abundant and tasty and definitely a highlight and the camping experience was comfortable and relaxed. The full moon was a nice touch too!Thank you Buckle Up Bushrides for such an enjoyable and rewarding ride. What a way to explore our stunning High Country region! This is a life experience that should be on everyone’s ‘to do’ list.

As author of a guidebook on Adventure Horse Riding in Victoria (some years ago now), I have had the privilege to ride with over 20 tour operators over the past 25 years, as well as work directly with some of them. I first met Paul and Shelley working with another safari business before opening their own, and was always impressed with their passion, professionalism and hospitality. My recent 5 day ride with them up to Craig’s Hut and then down along the Howqua River was outstanding. I was particularly taken with the way that they treated all of their guests as individuals who were each important to them, along with their staff. (I have certainly experienced tours where some people are ignored by the operator and their staff treated poorly…). The effort and love that Paul and Shelley put into the horses is evident in this string of horses suitable for people of all levels. They are all individuals with great and varied personalities, each with a story to be told. What they have done here is bring back what I experienced in ‘the old days’ some 20 years ago – warm hospitality, friendship, fun and a great experience.

Travelled to Merrijig from SA and rode over the 2014 October long weekend-River ride I think it was called and had an absolute blast. I was able to change horses a number of times(for fun) and got to see so much beautiful countryside, from bush to rivers to forest.The guides where exceptional, very friendly and accommodating, the food was delicious, and I was so impressed with the care taken with our belongings while we were camping-everything was set up for us and we got to relax.Highly recommend this company to experienced riders although it is not in anyway restricted to those with experience. If you've never ridden they'll get you a sweet horse and they'll look after you and if you know how to ride they'll give you a great opportunity to have fun.Seriously, I can't recommend them enough. I'm going back in April :-) So thanks so much Shelly and the whole gang! Should also comment on the fantastic horses available with these guys. Different breeds and temperaments, all incredibly well behaved and trained and some where just super sweet. I ended up riding 5 different horses over the weekend and I got to enjoy every single one of them for different reasons. So get along and Buckle Up!!

If you want the best horse riding experience you'll ever have, you've found the place to have it. Paul and Shelly are two of the most amazing people you will ever meet, so kind, gentle and brilliant horse people. They are amazing at matching horses to people, and you feel extremely safe. If Paul or Shelly told me to do something on the horse, I'd do it without even questioning it. They know their horses and trails inside and out. Paul's mum Kay makes a lovely roast dinner on the Saturday night and a good hearty brekky on the Sunday morning. I've never been to a trail riding place where the horses are so well cared for. Thanks again Paul and Shelly.

Shelly and Paul you are amazing people with beautiful horses and fantastic accommodation. Your ability to make us always feel so welcome and have so much fun never stops amazing me. You guys seem to have the knack to tailor our ride to accommodate our individual riding ability which makes our experience a more amazing one each time we visit you. Love you guys keep up the good work see you soon

What a blast! So much better than I expected. The horse riding was terrific, the bush trials amazing, sleeping by the river fantastic and the food....well just perfect! Even though I have been on many horse rides (including in the USA, Thailand and Cambodia), Buckle Up provided me with my best experience yet! Really back to nature approach incorporating lots of fun and excitement! I did the two day ride and really recommend this. Thanks Paul and Shelly! Will definitely be back!

I have been on several of their weekend rides and every single time does not disappoint! I'm a huge fan of the area and Paul and Shelly really know how to ensure you experience it at it's best. Incredible countryside, beautiful horses to cater for all levels which was great as we had some mixed levels of experience in our group, so this made it extra enjoyable for everyone. The warmest hospitality, great home cooking by Kaye that is so great to come home to after a long day in the saddle :). Arrange your own group or head on up there yourself, you are sure to meet some fantastic new people up there on a ride and are always made to feel welcome :) If you are looking for an experience you won't forget, then give it ago. Can't wait to get up on an extended ride next! Thanks as always BuckleUp

I have done a weekend ride, a day ride and a three day ride with Buckle Up, loved every minute of it. Buckle up are the new kids on the block in the High Country Scene up however Paul and Shelly are not new to the riding scene! Black Horse Park is a wonderful old style bunkhouse, take your pick of upstairs, downstairs or in the big house, you might spot the ghost........The riding is really fantastic, the horses are beautiful, Paul and Shelly will make sure that you are well looked after and you get the ride that you want. As an experienced rider if you want fast and furious, slow and gentle you get it . Beginners are looked after too; actually everyone is looked after. The food - well is wonderful, (I love Kay's cooking). There is nothing like a good campfire and you might even get a sing along too! Highly recommended. Regarding the booking experience that another person mentioned - you must remember these people are out on the ride, working, sometimes they don't get back to you straight away, I have encountered this everywhere for this type of business.

Thanks Buckle up Bushrides, great aussie outback adventure, just what us soft city folk needed. Your horses and horsemanship was exceptional and keep every one very safe, horses included. The food and hospitality was awesome, you couldn't have looked after or entertained us any better. The efforts you went to in looking after our group and your horses was very much appreciated. The only choice for a true bush horse ride with real bush / horse people. We couldn't fault the experience, from start to finish, you even turned on perfect weather, from beginner to experienced rider, we all had a great time, better than expected.

Thank you for an amazing 4 day trip over Easter. The Horses are fabulous, perfect mix catering for all rider types. Paul & Shelly really take it to the next level with making sure you are comfortable and happy with your Horse. Paul's Mum Kaye cooks amazing food! I was never hungry! I really enjoy being given information about the trees and local birds as well while we're riding along. The high country is such a beautiful place & riding up there with these guys is an experience I try to fit in to my busy schedule every 12 months.I fully recommend riding with these guys!:-)

I hv ridden twice with Shelly and Paul of Buckleup bush rides and it's just so exciting. The bush,rivers and horses all give you a authentic bush experience. The horses are well cared for loved and happy. Campfire dinners , food great u won't go hungry .. Hv recommended them to many and hv had great feedback from my Freinds also. Even if u can't ride Buckleup will cater for yr needs as well. Can't wait to get back up there .

Unbelievable trip. Best trip and company that I have ever travelled with. Professional, friendly, helpful and loads of fun. Have travelled around the Australia and many other countries on horse riding trips and buckle up bushrides are by far the best. Thanks for an amazing time. Kaz

If you are looking for the most exhilarating ride of your life, in the most beautiful countryside you have ever seen, with the most hospitable people you could ever meet, that know & love their horses and the countryside they ride in more than anything else, then Buckle UP Bush Rides is for you.Don’t think for one minute that if you have your own horse or are an accomplished rider, that you will be bored, that is not the case, Paul and Shelly will make sure of that.I have owned horses for more than 20years but never had rides like this, but if you don’t have much experience don’t let that scare you either, they look after you so well and have such beautiful horses that you will forget you are not experienced in not time and be having a ball.A ride with Buckle Up Bush Rides will be the best decision you have ever made.They matched us up with just the right horse for our ability so we could get the best out of our riding experience.From my first holiday with them I was hooked, & now go every year at least once.Thanks heaps Paul & Shelly for always giving me the ride of my life.Sue Mc Ifatrick

I've ridden with about 80% of Victoria's trail ride companies, and I will honestly say that Buckle Up is hands down the best. They have a great range of horses - from the baby sitting type for beginners or people lacking confidence, to toey goers for the experienced (like me)!!They have customised rides for me in the past, without hesitation, based on my request to see certain landmarks (Specifically Craigs Hut)! And the people are amazing!! You feel like party of the Buckle Up Family when you go there! Shelly and Paul are so warm and welcoming, and Kay's cooking is to die for.They have heaps of equipment you can borrow too, as an added bonus!I never ride anywhere else now; I just think they're honestly THAT good! I can't rave about them enough!!