Mount Rozier

Where the love of horses comes first

[March 2009] For many people the idea of riding a horse through beautiful natural surroundings is an alluring dream that for some reason have never been realised. Some of us may be slightly scared of horses, some of us just never seem to find the time to try, some of us think we are too old, and some might think they are too young.

At Mount Rozier none of these excuses are valid – this is the perfect place for young and old to come and experience how wonderfully therapeutic the interaction with horses can be. The horses and ponies at Mount Rozier cater for riders of all levels and children can start taking lessons from the age of about 6 years. Younger children from as young as 2 years can join in the fun and be led around on ponies.

There is also plenty to do on Mount Rozier apart from horse riding – the wine tasting rooms at Mount Rozier offer you the perfect setting to enjoy great wine and wonderful food. So if your family would like to experience an outride but you don't feel up to it, why not pop into the wine tasting room and try out the olives and olive tapenade! Or you could prearrange a gourmet picnic basket to enjoy after the outride.

Situated a stone’s throw from Somerset West, the riding trails will afford you all the grandeur and beauty that is False Bay and the Cape Peninsula. The outrides meander through various vineyards and through surrounding wine farms such as Mount Rozier and Journey's End. Both the natural birdlife and awesome splendour of the mountains will add to the tranquility and beauty of the ride. Some of the rides lead through a beautiful forest where the trees only allow an occasional glimpse of the sky. The forest floor is strewn with pine needles and the only sound you hear is the soft thud of hooves on earth.

The longer rides lead up to a vantage point where the majestic Helderberg hovers over your shoulder while you look out over False Bay and see Cape Point in the distance. Here you can savour the view, take photos, or just stretch your legs.

Suzelle Barendse, the Proprietor of Mount Rozier Horseback Rides & Stables, also gives horse riding lessons, so if you would like to start riding, or even if you would just like to improve your existing horse riding skills, Mount Rozier is the place to go.

Suzelle is a consummate horsewoman with many years spent in various aspects of the equestrian industry – sharing the wonder of horses and nature with novice and experienced outback riders at Mount Rozier. She makes no secret of the fact that she does not want to promote Mount Rozier as a place for highly competitive riders whose primary objective is to compete in shows. Suzelle wants Mount Rozier to be a place where the love of horses comes first – before personal ambition.

Suzelle has devoted herself to horses and to bringing the joy of knowing horses to young and old. She is fully committed to making Mount Rozier a peaceful sanctuary for horses and riders.

The stables are in the Helderberg basin, situated in the quaint village of Sir Lowry's Pass at the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountain range.