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Oregon Coast & Winelands

Overview

The Willamette Coast Ride is a fascinating opportunity to see some of the most beautiful and varied scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Offered for only twelve weeks per year, between the months of May and October, this progressive ride covers terrain in three very distinct environments. You will be…

Highlights

  • Discover the unique Oregon Wine Country
  • Gallop on the beaches of the Pacific Northwest Coast
  • Ride through 3 beautifully distinct landscapes
  • Taste locally produced wines
  • Enjoy riding well-trained and well-mannered horses.

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 8 riders per group
  • Average of 4 - 5 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 100kg / 220 lbs / 15st 10lbs.
    more info Can take one rider of 240 lbs - please enquire.

Description

The Willamette Coast Ride is a fascinating opportunity to see some of the most beautiful and varied scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Offered for only twelve weeks per year, between the months of May and October, this progressive ride covers terrain in three very distinct environments. You will be invited to enjoy all that Oregon has to offer on horseback; from the picturesque agricultural land of the Willamette Valley to portions of coastal range mountains – Oregon’s temperate rainforest - and finally, finishing off with a good gallop on the awe-inspiring coast where the majestic Pacific shapes Oregon’s beaches.

Hosts Justin & Lindley Leahy are both incredibly experienced equestrians. Justin grew up in Ireland and as such spent more time on the back of a pony than he did on his own 2 feet! He has an extensive background in show jumping, fox hunting and cross country jumping as a result. Lindley too has competed successfully across the United States in both dressage and eventing. The couple pride themselves on offering a fantastic, personal and small group riding experience tailored to established riders. The couple has a small herd of hand-selected and well trained crossbred and warmblood horses. These horses have good conformation, good hooves and easy to work with temperaments. The horses live out in large, natural fields, they cross creeks, go through woods, jump ditches and generally live a wonderful life, but one that also helps to build both their ability and confidence for the trails.

Justin & Lindley believe that guests should be able to enjoy not only the riding that they do on the trail, but also find reward in spending time in nature and with their equine partner. You are invited to appreciate the awesomeness of the natural landscapes, to let go of your modern-world stresses and reconnect with the land, the forest and the surf.

Horses & Riding

Tack

English style saddles and bridles.

Horses

There are a wide range of horses available to ride, including some Irish breeds, such as sports horses and drafts, Thoroughbreds, Connemara, quarter horses, mustangs, Friesian crosses and Haflinger too. Justin and Lindley run their own Irish Sporthorse breeding programme too, so you will see plenty of foals and youngsters at the stables.

The horses are trained to be well-rounded and well-mannered individuals, with regular schooling to competition level dressage and jumping. They are fit, forward going and responsive and above all, they enjoy their job.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Willamette Coast Trail is a trail ride

Ages

Riders aged 12-77 years can be accepted provided they are fit and strong.

Health

Riders should have a good level of physical fitness for the trail and be able to keep themselves in balance at all paces whilst riding. You will also be required to dismount and lead your horse for some stretches of the trail.

Weight

100kg / 220 lbs / 15st 10lbs. Can take one rider of 240 lbs - please enquire.

Food & Accommodation

Food

Breakfast will be served at your accommodation each morning. Lunches will be picnics taken out on the trail. Dinners will either be served at your accommodation or at a nearby restaurant instead. Oregon is well known for its amazing food scene, as well as its production of craft beers and fine wines. On this ride, you will find that all meals are farm-fresh and locally sourced, including seafood on the coast. Two wine tastings have also been included in the itinerary so that you can sample the Oregon Wine Country delights first hand.

Please note that evening meals on the first and final nights are not included while staying at A'Tuscan Estate B&B. The accommodation is located just a short 5-minute walk from the centre of McMinnville. The town has a great selection of restaurants to try, offering cuisine ranging from traditional Italian, French or Spanish to Wine Country Fine dining or simple grills and pub grub!

Alcoholic drinks are not included but will usually be available to purchase locally.

Accommodation

Accommodations are provided in a combination of boutique bed and breakfasts and holiday rentals at the coast, with generous hospitality and a great feel for the Pacific Northwest. The first and last nights of the ride will typically be spent at A' Tuscan Estate Bed and Breakfast in McMinnville, Oregon. The other accommodations may vary, depending on what is available, but will remain of a high standard.

Bedrooms at these accommodations tend to offer only double beds rather than twins and so it may be necessary to share a bed with another guest. Single rooms are limited and may not always be available, so you should be prepared to share with another guest of the same gender.

Itineraries

Willamette Coast Trail Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

During the riding programme, there are 2 wine tasting sessions included.

Non-riding programmes can also be offered for partners or families who wish to experience the area but not ride. Please speak to us about organising activities in the local area, such as spa visits, wine tastings, salmon fishing, surfing, boating, or exploring some of the lovely local boutique shops and craft beer breweries.

Travel

The stables are located just 1 hour (roughly 35 miles) south of Portland in Oregon. Riders are encouraged to hire a car and drive themselves from Portland, or we can help to organise a taxi transfer for you at an added cost.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Arrival

Riding: No riding.

Check-in at the B&B in McMinnville is typically between 3-7 pm on arrival day. Later arrivals may be accommodated by prior arrangements.

Dinner this evening is not included, but it is a short 5-minute walk into the centre of the town where you will find a wide variety of restaurants and bars to try. Your B&B host, Erin, will be more than happy to make recommendations for places to eat out that evening.

Day 2 - Willamette Winelands

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a delicious breakfast at your B&B this morning, you should be ready to transfer the short distance to the stables by 10 am.

Your journey begins in the famous Willamette Valley, a beautiful place to grow grapevines and to keep horses! The trail will cross rolling hills and wind through the picturesque vineyards where you will stop for a wine tasting. You will be able to learn about the vines and how they are kept, as well as taste what these beautiful vineyards and talented winemakers produce.

Day 3 - Coastal Rainforests

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After breakfast this morning you will go by truck to the top of the trailhead and saddle up early to enjoy your first taste of the rugged and mellow Oregon Coastal Mountain forests.

There is a certain stillness to the forest and riding here can afford you the chance to see a spotted owl in its habitat, as well as elk, deer and perhaps even mountain lions! You will pass by groves of deciduous trees, ancient mossy covered oaks, towering Douglas firs, wild mushrooms (some are even edible), and the crystal clear Nestucca River as it winds its way through the mountains.

You will stop for a picnic lunch on the trail, before continuing on to a local farm where the horses will spend the night.

Your accommodation tonight will be at a private house near the village of Neskowin with a lovely beach view. Dinner will be an informal meal of pizza, pasta and salad in your beach house followed by a bonfire on the beach with s’mores in the evening if the weather is good.

Day 4 - Neskowin Beach

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Today's ride will start with a warmup through old dairy farmlands before hacking through the village of Neskowin to reach the beach. The expansive shores of Neskowin beach are characterised by dramatic and picturesque rock formations. You will see proposal rock in the centre of the bay and may even spot the ancient petrified forest at low tide. You will continue to ride down this seven-mile length of the beach, enjoying some great canter opportunities.

Overnight will be in another super coastal holiday condo and dinner will likely be taken at the Beach Club Bistro.

Day 5 - Nestucca Bay

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

For today's ride, you will head north to the Nestucca river mouth and explore the beautiful Bob Straub State Park. The park is a sand spit beach that juts out across the mouth of the Nestucca River, creating a natural sheltered inlet to the east - the perfect saltwater wetland environment for coastal birds to nest. On the sea-facing side of the park, you will find a beautiful sandy beach backed by high dunes. There are miles of public trails through the park for you to explore on horseback. You will enjoy a picnic in the park before saying a fond farewell to your wonderful horses.

You will transfer back to the B&B in McMinnville for this evening. Again, dinner will be to your own account - you may wish to try a different restaurant this evening, or return to a favourite from the first night.

Day 6 - Departure

Riding: No riding.

After a delicious homecooked breakfast at the B&B this morning, you will be able to check out by 11 am.

You may wish to transfer back to Portland for onwards travel or perhaps spend a few days longer in McMinnville to enjoy a little more of what the Wine Country has to offer.

Accommodation

The first and final night of the trail will be spent at the boutique B&B A'Tuscan Estate in McMinnville. The other nights will be spent in a combination of local inns and holiday rentals, dependent on availability.
Experience Intermediate / Experienced

The ride is for strong intermediate to advanced riders who should be capable and have experience maintaining control at a canter and gallop both in and out of the arena, as well as being comfortable spending up to four hours in the saddle at a time. Riders should be capable of riding in and maintaining a two-point position. You should have some recent riding experience and have (at least) six-plus years of general experience too.
Minimum group size 4
Maximum group size 8
Departure windows

June 9, 2025 - June 14, 2025

June 23, 2025 - June 28, 2025

June 30, 2025 - July 5, 2025

July 14, 2025 - July 19, 2025

Aug. 3, 2025 - Aug. 8, 2025

Aug. 31, 2025 - Sept. 5, 2025

Sept. 14, 2025 - Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 28, 2025 - Oct. 3, 2025

Oct. 5, 2025 - Oct. 10, 2025

Pricing

2025
Rider, Single Accommodation		 £3875 $4875 €4670
2025
Rider, Shared Accommodation		 £2980 $3750 €3595
Included 5 nights accommodation in shared rooms, daily breakfast, picnic lunches on riding days, 3 dinners, 4 days of riding and 2 wine tastings.
Not included Flights, personal travel insurance, airport transfers, alcoholic drinks, dinners on 2 nights in McMinnville, tips, services not mentioned and other personal expenses.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.