Bayside Riding Club
You've done it while cruising in a vehicle, on a bike, quad, bus, and even the old fashioned way, by foot. But have you ever done it perched on the back of a horse? If not, you're missing out on an enthralling experience.
Bayside Riding Club is one of two establishments on the Friendly Island where you can experience the thrill of horseback riding while savoring some of the beauty of this picturesque 37-square miles island that's delightfully Dutch and fantastically French. Opened in 1990, Bayside offers several tours that cater to the taste of even the most finicky person. You can choose the one-hour ride where guests are taken on a tour of St. Martin's protected nature marine reserve at Rue de Gallion Bay.
On this tour, experienced Bayside guides will take you along one of St. Martin's beautiful, secluded bays, where you will get to savor one and a half miles of crystalline sand and scenic trails. The two-hour ride is another option. The highlight of this ride is that your trained horse will take you into St. Martin's therapeutic waters for a swim. Yes, a swim.
In addition to savoring the picturesque nature marine reserve, your horse will take you into the calming, turquoise waters for a cool dip. After all that exploration, you will get to quench your palate with a complimentary drink at Tropical Wave - a restaurant located at the far end of a glistening white sand beach. If this isn't enough, you can choose Bayside's private beach ride, where you'll be taken on a one-hour private excursion. This option is great for persons who want to experience a real horse-ride and do some galloping.
You can also experience the beauty of nature by selecting the Sunset Beach Ride where you will enjoy the beauty of this world in a one-hour tour to watch the sunset at dusk. There is also the champagne ride for two that may be perfect for groups, couples and the romantic at heart. This ride includes a two-hour group or one-hour private ride on the beach.
- A full moon beach ride can also be arranged.
- Residents can also lease a horse from Bayside.
- They also keep private horses for a fee.
- All riders are also equipped with helmets.
Riding groups are kept small and no more than seven persons are taken on rides.
And don't sigh if you have nowhere to host your child's next birthday party. It can be done at Bayside. They also do birthday parties for kids, where the horses can be dressed up and party-goers taken on pony rides and enjoy eatables at the Club's canteen. Never been on a horse before and don't know how to ride? No problem. The experienced handlers at Bayside will teach you. Guests are each given a five-minute crash-course on how to maneuver their horse. Professional guides also accompany riders on each tour. And if you have young kids with you, that's even better. Kids from as young as age two can also enjoy a horse ride. A handler always walks along the pony to ensure your child's safety.
If you want to master the art of riding, you can take the riding lessons offered at Bayside, which boasts between 48-49 horses and has on staff professional instructors to teach you. Classes are offered for beginners and advanced dressage or jumping. Safety is always first at Bayside. Riders are always matched to a horse, based on their height and weight. This is to ensure safety and balance on the horse.
"We offer a tourist product, but we definitely cater to the local population as well," one of the enthusiastic staff told Outn' About, shortly after tending to a group of clients from Chicago and Ohio, last Saturday.
This community-minded and environmentally friendly club just started a special package for children, which also benefits the environment. Any child who picks up three bags of trash from the beach, where rides are done, gets a free ride. So far the initiative is going great and if it continues on the same path, the Club will continue it for the remainder of the year. We know you love exploring.
» Bayside Riding Club
