History of Go Trekking and 'Our Story'

Go Trekking is the brainchild of Michael Lennon your hotel and equestrian host. He's a typical Irish horseman, brought up to love, respect and enjoy the Irish horse and the way of life it offers. Michael inherited this gift from his father Patrick, also a hotelier, who hunted and raced point to pointers in his native Co Carlow. Michael's formative years were spent learning from the Carlow Pony Club and the Carlow Farmers Hunt. A cherished highlight was when his father bought his first family pony called Flood's Best from Paddy Mullins in the summer of 1977. The pony could jump and race and was an ideal confidence builder for Michael and his sisters.

In the spring of 1982 Michael started his first horse, a chestnut Mystical Sprite mare who he called Rosie after the daughter of a local horse and cattle dealer, John Kennedy from Ballon who himself had sold the mare to Michael's mother. Michael retrained this mare at Carrigbeg Stables with the Burgess family and hunted her all around County Carlow. Rosie had a heart of gold, never refusing, always trying, a typical Irish Sports Horse.

Rosie became the bedrock for the Go Trekking Foundation stock. Three of the present trekking horses are out of her or descend from her. Her superb temperament helped Michael through nearly twenty years of his equestrian experience, - hunting with local packs, competing in riding club competitions and show jumping at local shows. The experience encouraged him to study for an Equine Science diploma in the University of Limerick.

Rosie retired in 2002 but stilled loved to have an odd run on the beach, always trying to get in front of her younger charges and letting them know who was boss. She passed away in 2005 and is buried upon a hill overlooking the Go Trekking Stables.

In 2001 Michael built a new barn, stables and manage just outside Westport Town. It must be the most scenic sand arena in the country, overlooked by the towering peak of Croagh Patrick. The adjacent stable building is a spacious American barn style wooden structure. Sturdy cross country jumps dot the land alongside the entrance avenue. Much of the timber used is recycled from the hotel, in keeping with the sustainable goals of Go Trekking

Michael set about fulfilling his dream; developing a small intimate trekking centre, linked with The Westport Woods Hotel, Westport town and the Clew Bay region. He saw the potential of the great natural beauty of the area, the many quiet and off road paths plus nearly 100 kilometres of sandy beaches and rugged coastline at his doorstep. It was ripe for a business such as Go Trekking complemented by his growing stock of sensible Irish sport horses, cob types and ponies. Some are home bred, all are well schooled, full of character and willing mounts. The smallest pony is 13 hands and the tallest horse 17 hands. The horses aren't typical trekking stock, with hard mouths and 'first gear only'. They want to please and go forward willingly.

The most popular equestrian activity is beach riding. It's a dream of so many horse riders to canter through shallow waves on a sandy beach and Michael is happy to be able to make that dream come true.