In the latest instalment of our Equestrian Conversations blog series, we sit down with Rose Cameron of Rose Cameron Rides. We first got to know Rose, and discovered her rides, last year through some friends of G&G.
Rose set up her business in 2019 after many years spent travelling on horseback through some remarkable parts of the world. She runs wonderful riding holidays through some of the finest English countryside, including Exmoor, Lambourn and Dorset. Each one combines days in the saddle with stays in elegant country houses and plenty of good food and drink. What could be better?
These are exactly the kind of adventures G&G kit is made for, long days riding in all weathers, where you need clothing you can rely on - so when the opportunity arose to chance connect with Rose, it felt like a natural fit. And as is so often the way with countryside and equestrian folk, we soon discovered a number of other mutual friends and connections too.
Rose has been putting a range of our kit to the test this season, and the Outback Low Rider Duster has quickly become one of her firm favourites, especially for the often unpredictable British weather!
Above: Rose on Ben in the Outback Low Rider Duster
For those who don’t know you can you tell us a bit about your background, early years and how you started Rose Cameron Rides?
Growing up, my father was in the Army so we moved houses quite a bit within England. I am the youngest of three and those years were mostly spent riding ponies in garrison saddle clubs before I could join my brother, sister and father on the hunting field (mother on call for the A & E run!). It didn’t take long before I was hooked and so began a happy childhood of hunting and ponies.
I was also very fortunate to benefit from my father’s hobby of organising riding expeditions around the world, following in the footsteps of a bit of military history. He only invited friends and they were all the most wonderful adventures. We have ridden in South Africa, following the Boer War and Zulu War; Ethiopia, following a British-led expedition in 1868; Jordan, following Lawrence of Arabia and the Pyrenees following Wellington's army in the Peninsular War, to name a few.
Above: Rose leading a ride on Exmoor, photo by Georgina Preston
What first drew you to offering riding holidays, and how has that journey evolved?
These rides that I did with my father had a huge impact on me. For years I considered the idea of recreating some of the magic that I had enjoyed on these adventures. Then, after 7 years in a different career, I made the move to get into the riding holiday business. For a few years I gained experience leading trips for other companies both on and off a horse and then started leading riding trips in the Pyrenees and Jordan for the English based riding holiday agents, Ride World Wide. After running these rides for a couple of years, I took a leap of faith and started Rose Cameron Rides at the start of 2019. One good year of more rides to the Pyrenees and Jordan and then Covid hit, bringing all plans to a grinding halt.
As lockdown restrictions began to lift but international travel was still firmly off the cards, I started exploring the idea of local rides in Dorset with friends. We stayed at other friends’ houses and before I knew it, the idea had turned into something new for Rose Cameron Rides. We had our first official English ride in July 2021 and since then, I have not looked back. There are so many wonderful areas to ride here in the UK and I have absolutely loved exploring new places, finding great houses to stay in and making some amazing friends along the way. RCR is something quite different to what I first imagined in 2019 but I couldn’t be more pleased about it.
Above: Rose leading a ride on Exmoor, photo by Georgina Preston
Do you have a favourite place to ride and what makes it so special?
It has to be Exmoor, I just love it. When it comes to riding, it has it all. The open moorland for lovely long canters; the ancient wooded valleys with picture perfect river crossings; the swimming, the sea, endless bridleways and I think it must be one of the only places where hunting and horses still rule. I don’t know exactly what it is but there’s just a bit of magic in the air on Exmoor.
Above: Riding on Exmoor, photo by Georgina Preston
You must have a wonderful string of horses that support your guided rides, what qualities do you look for in a lead horse?
My main horse this summer has been Thunder, a lovely coloured Irish ex hunter who was given to me by a friend for an easier life. Also, my cherished hunter Rebel who I am starting my tenth season with and is my absolute horse of a lifetime. They are both real characters, easy to do and genuinely love their job so they like to get on with it and be at the front!
Above: Rose riding on Exmoor with Sarah Kate Byrne, photo by Georgina Preston
How much does the weather influence your rides, routes and plans for a ride? The good and the bad weather that is!
A lot! But I have learnt not to worry about it. You just need to have options in place so that you can plan accordingly. This summer has thrown it all at us. On Exmoor we almost always have a wet weather lunch spot planned but if it looks as if it is going to be a deluge, then we tweak the route and ‘ride through’ to lunch back at the house. Those days can be great though – hearty hunting folk are pretty good at embracing it. My G&G Outback long oilskin coat (low rider duster) has been a complete godsend on those days!
At the other end of the extreme, we have had to plan around the heat this summer too. This means we just get up earlier, get the ride done and spend the afternoon swimming, either in a river, the sea or a pool, depending on the ride. It can actually really make a ride.
Above: Rose and Rebel stopping for a well earned drink!
What do you love most about your life in the countryside?
So many things! Dorset’s dreamy yet varied landscape with wonderful views as far as the eye can see. I love walking with our dogs and one of my favourite parts of the job is exploring new routes with the dogs. I also love being close to the sea – this summer we bought a sea kayak for a different type of exploring. And of course, the hunting, the people and the craic!
Above: Rose often recces new rides on foot with the dogs!
What has been your most memorable day in the saddle so far?
Gosh, that is a hard one! Tricky to pin down one single day. There have been a few red-letter days trail hunting in recent years; the ride in South America where I met my husband and many magical days riding on Exmoor with friends.
Above: Riding on Exmoor, photo by Georgina Preston
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I still haven’t ridden on safari in Kenya so that is top of the list
What does the future look like for Rose Cameron Rides? What are your hopes and dreams?
I am delighted to have just completed our busiest season yet. Since starting the English rides in 2019, RCR has grown steadily and I am so lucky to have developed a lovely collection of returning guests, many of whom have become good friends. If I can continue to harness this, I will be very pleased.
We have a couple of exciting plans for next year – one on the coast in South Devon and the other in Wales. Both are in the planning stages, so watch this space! Beyond that, I hope that we can continue to create more unique and magical rides in new beautiful pockets of the UK.
Above: Sarah Kate Bryne riding in the Low Rider Duster on Exmoor, photo by Georgina Preston
If you'd like to find out more about Rose and her wonderful rides, please visit her website.
