Chomping
at the bit?

Five places to ride high around Montreal
sport, ain’t for pussies

by LORRAINE CARPENTER

It’s all well and good to bet on their racing muscle or snicker at their oversized genitalia, but horses used to be man’s second best friend, and first means of transportation. Like cowboys, jockeys and the mounted police, you too can sit atop an equine beauty—you just have to travel a little ways out of town to do it.

Reserve trail rides year-round at the Double J Ranch in St-Lazare (1647 St. Louis, (450) 455-7075), only 20 minutes west of the lovely Fairview mall on the West Island. Double J’s knowledgeable staff lead novices and grizzled riders alike on a one-hour to 90-minute tour of their beautiful stretch of land (see the gallery at www.doublejranch.ca) four times daily. Rates range from $15–$20.

Whether you’ve never seen a horse in person or you sleep with jodhpurs on, lessons are available for you at Manège St-Marc in the South Shore’s Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu (917 Richelieu RR1, (450) 584-3384), 17 kilometres south-east of Montreal. From absolute beginners to equestrian competitors, horse enthusiasts take lessons every day for $25 (group) and $40 (private), and those who buy nine lessons upfront get the 10th free.

One hour north of the city, in the Laurentian hideaway of St. Donat, Centre Equestre Rivière Noire (2581 Route 125 North, 1-877-844-4224) offers a variety of horseback riding adventures, from one-hour trail rides to five-day excursions of either the roughing-it variety (sleeping bag under the stars) or the cushier kind (hotel or auberge stays). With 70 horses on hand all summer, groups of two to 30 people, whether kids or adults, healthy or handicapped, beginner or expert, can relish the Old West experience on horses, in the saloon and at the weekend training shows, for $25 per hour. Call for details about group rates, package deals (riding and fishing, for example) and chalet rentals.

Closer to town, on Île Perrot, Cameron Stables (2653 Perrot Boulevard, 425-4830) offers year-round group and private lessons six days a week for both beginners and experienced riders ($25–$38), whether you’re interested in simple riding or competitive equestrian sport. There are nine school horses (and more for lease per month or for sale) on the 10-acre property, which also offers board if your horse needs a home. Go to www.cameronstables.com for more information.

Mirabel’s Cite Equestre (14100 des Bouleaux, (450) 475-7891), only a half-hour from downtown Montreal, has 40–50 available for riding courses (five for $150), winter sleigh rides and rental by the hour. Call about their package deals, kids’ parties and other details.