Equitrekking is an Emmy-Award-winning equestrian travel series hosted by travel expert Darley Newman. The episodes on PBS take viewers on horseback riding adventures in Uruguay, Jordan, Alberta, Turkey and the some National Parks in the USA. The popular travel series broadcasts in over 35 countries and features exciting locations in Belize, Costa Rica, Southern Quebec, Vermont, the Carolinas, the Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado, Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Hawaii’s Big Island, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country, California Wine Country, Alaska, Wales, Scotland, Southern Spain, Quebec City & Beyond and Central Turkey. Equine VIP caught up with Producer/Host Darley Newman to learn more about her world travels.
Equitrekking® is the first travel television series to explore the globe on horseback. When/how did you realize you could combine your passion for horses with travel to create Equitrekking?
Many years ago while living in New York City of all places! I was working in television and wanted to combine my passion for horses and travel, do those things I love on a daily basis, and Equitrekking just evolved naturally from there. As a traveler, horses allow me to get to places that are often inaccessible by other means. I share each travel journey with a new equine friend. It’s a very special way to see the world and experience life.
Equitrekking has traveled the world to some amazing places! Do you have any favorite locations you’d like to revisit?
I was just able to go back to Ireland, which is a perennial favorite. There are so many wonderful Irish horses and destinations with beaches, mountains, castles, countryside, awesome people and pubs for the end of the day pint! I’d like to go back to Costa Rica. The places you can travel on horseback in Costa Rica are exotic and beautiful and the horses were just awesome. I know that horses can’t be totally bombproof, but my horse Pinata was just about there. I’d like to go back and ride to more hot springs and just have a good soak, maybe beside spewing Arenal Volcano again at sunset, where you see a Technicolor lights show from the lava flow. My list could go on and on. The world is filled with wonderful riding destinations. There’s not enough time in life!
You ride different horses and all types of riding styles on your show. Do you have a favorite breed of horse or riding discipline?
I’ve really enjoyed riding all of these different breeds in their native settings. The Icelandics are a lot of fun to ride, especially over Iceland’s lava fields. They can tölt, which is similar to a running walk, so they are very smooth. Plus, they’re so darn cute! Highland Ponies are another fun ride—faster than I thought they could go– and they are necessary in the Highlands, where the beautiful heather sometimes hides treacherous bogs. Each horse’s personality is a lot of fun to discover when I’m traveling. I was recently in Jordan. Arabians are known to be spirited, and my Arabian in the desert of Jordan was spirited, but also so patient. He was forward going, but listened really well, and so I went to Jordan feeling a little nervous to ride with the Bedouin in the open desert on an Arabian horse and left with new confidence and a future horse to import from the Middle East.
Equitrekking is broadcast on PBS stations across the nation, as well as, on international networks in over 40 countries including Italy, France, Japan, Russia, Turkey and beyond. Are you still surprised at how many countries follow your travels?
I am surprised, but also not. Horses have a universal appeal to which all cultures can relate. Plus, in each episode I travel on horseback with the locals, the true stars of Equitrekking. It’s the locals who tell us the best natural areas to ride, best food and sights on and off the trail. If you live in a place, you might not want to watch a travel show about that area, unless the show is Equitrekking. We find those hidden gems that even many locals don’t know about, because we get off the beaten path and travel on horseback! Through the local people, we showcase insiders information on the best places to travel mixed with beautiful horses in stunning places. Who can’t enjoy that!
Besides hosting and Producing Equitrekking you wrote Equitrekking: Travel Adventures on Horseback and founded EquitrekkingTravel.com Is Equitrekking just for experienced riders or can beginners explore the world on horseback?
The great thing about Equitrekking is that anyone, whether you’ve never ridden before or are an expert, can enjoy it. On Equitrekking, we work to find the best horses and riding destinations that are open to the public, so if you’re traveling in Hawaii and want to ride for a day, we’ve showcased the best ranches and stables, where a local guide will take you out. Equitrekking.com, EquitrekkingTravel.com and my book, Equitrekking: Travel Adventures on Horseback, serve as a resource for travelers. We help match travelers with a vacation or horse ride and because we’ve been there, we know all about it!
You were featured in the book How’d You Score That Gig (a look at the coolest careers for twenty and thirty-somethings). Do you still think you have the coolest career?
I sure do. Every trip that I take feels like a once in a lifetime adventure. I was working in television and did enjoy that because I was learning something new everyday, but I didn’t love being in an office. As the business owner as well as the host and producer of Equitrekking, I still have to do “business” stuff and office work, but it’s all worth it to be able to ride horses, travel the world and then share the adventure with others through Equitrekking on TV, Equitrekking.com and my writing.
Equitrekking was honored with an Emmy win for Outstanding Photography, and you have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Did you convince any of the celebrities to take a trip with you?
Just attending the Emmys is very cool. So many people and yes, lots of celebrities love horses. We may reveal a few in some upcoming seasons.
Where can we follow your travels and learn more?
Visit us at Equitrekking.com to learn more about the new season, watch videos and read travel articles and my blog. You can learn about equestrian vacations you can experience at EquitrekkingTravel.com.
