Whoa Nelly!
Tiny Nevis Rides the Horseback-Riding, Race-Track Fever Wave
 
The "Sport of Kings" meets The "Queen of the Caribees"

Charleston, Nevis – With the best-selling novel Seabiscuit now a major motion picture, the world watches a media frenzy surrounding the newfound popularity of the "Sport of Kings" and the age-old love affair between man and horse. Yet, on the idyllic island of Nevis, known as the "Queen of the Caribees," horses and riding have gone hand-in-hand with the island lifestyle for more than three centuries.
 
Residents and tourists alike enjoy the "Sport of Kings" twelve times each year at the spectacular Indian Castle Race Track. A "Day at the Races" is not only popular with the locals who come out in full force to support their home town favorites, but also with visitors who are learning that horseracing is fast becoming one of Nevis' biggest, and most unusual, tourist attractions. Richard Lupinacci, President of the Nevis Turf & Jockey Club reports, "This club was established in 1967 to formalize a centuries-old tradition of island horse racing that went back to the earliest days of colonization in the 1600's. Horseracing now rivals cricket as the island's favorite sport and has become one of our most popular tourist activities." Indian Castle Race Track was officially opened in 1998 and the site, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with stunning views up and down the coast and out to sea is a picture-perfect setting for this thrilling, fast-paced sporting event.
 
High above sea-level in the historic Gingerland district of Nevis, Mr. Lupinacci's lovingly restored sugar plantation, The Hermitage Plantation Inn, offers delighted guests peaceful carriage rides through the scenic back roads of Nevis in traditional Caribbean planters carriages. Taking a step back in time and slowing the pace considerably, a carriage ride is the perfect way to experience the West Indian countryside.
 
According to Lupinacci, the carriages are authentic Creole adaptations of mid-19th century Victorian models, hand-made of beautiful West Indian mahogany. They can carry up to three adults or two adults and two children."A plantation carriage ride is sure to be a highlight of a visit to Nevis. It captures the simplicity and romance of a bygone era and slows down time to allow one the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature," notes Lupinacci.
 
The driving horses, "Ingrid," an imported Pennsylvania Dutch Belgian mare and "Yocahu," her Nevis-born son, are the largest horses in the Eastern Caribbean. These gentle giants proudly pull the carriages through the heart of the Nevis countryside with extraordinary views of the sea, nearby islands and the majestic Mount Nevis volcano in the center of the island.  The lush rain forest at the base of Mount Nevis abounds with island flora and fauna and it is not unusual to encounter a number of the wild monkeys that inhabit the island while enjoying the 30-minute carriage ride. Call The Hermitage Plantation Inn at (869) 469-3477 or email:nevherm@caribsurf.com.
 
For those who enjoy getting "in the saddle" themselves, The Nevis Equestrian Centre has been providing horseback riding to visitors since 1996. Hundreds of visitors, including such celebrities as Tracey Ullman, NFL player Dan Marino, NBA player Charles Smith and Soni from Hootie & The Blowfish have all gone home with this wonderful experience 'riding high' on their list of the vacation memories. The most popular ride, often at sunrise or sunset along the beach and trails of Nevis, begins with a walk past Ft. Ashby, the first fort on the island built in 1650. Along the way, riders pass Nelson's Spring, a beautiful lagoon where clipper ships once filled up with fresh drinking water.
 
Riders slowly climb the mountain slope to Paradise Estate, where there are ruins of a sugar mill and, now, the magnificent estate homes at Four Seasons Resort Nevis. The ride continues through the bush, above the Four Seasons world-renowned golf course to the village of Barnes Ghaut (ghaut means gorge or ravine), and on to the village of Cotton Ground, which derives its name from the production of cotton in years past. Returning to the beach, there is time for a stop to take pictures and observe the local fishermen bring in their catch for the day. The ride ends with a pleasant walk through a coconut grove, a refreshing tropical drink and time to sit and watch the horses take a cooling bath.
 
Proprietors Erika Guilbert-Walters and John & Alison Guilbert raised Arabian show horses in California before moving to Nevis in 1994. Erika gives riding lessons and holds holiday/summer camps on Nevis. She also conducts therapeutic riding as a community service for students with special needs. Her students brought home several gold and silver medals from the Special Olympics World Games in Ireland recently. For more information about the Nevis Equestrian Centre, call (869) 469-8118 or email: Guilbert@caribsurf.com