On a holiday in Egypt, Emma Jane Levin joined a horse-riding tour and fell in love with a black stallion named Belal. One thing led to another, and she found herself heading down the tourism career path. It’s been a long road with many twists and turns, but Emma is now running the “rock and roll of horse-riding holidays”.

Ride Egypt came about unintentionally. In fact, British-born Emma Jane Levin never intended to start a tour company; her initial goal was simply to rescue some horses on a beach and give them a better life. “My journey in Egypt began with meeting Belal, my beloved black stallion, but my deep love for horses goes back long before that,” she explains.

“This relationship taught me
the intense love for horses.”

Growing up in the UK’s New Forest, like many kids Emma did stable work in exchange for rides; she rode anything and everything. Moving to London at 15, she had a break from horses for 12 years while establishing a career working as a technician for various TV channels – and then she met Fletch, a grumpy old ex-showjumper who reignited her love of horses.

“This relationship taught me the intense love for horses and the heart-wrenching devastation of losing them, as unfortunately he had to be put down due to an old injury that needed extensive surgery and my vet believed he couldn’t endure six months of box rest. To this day, I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much and for so long.”

A TRIP TO EGYPT

Emma’s heartbreak didn’t end with losing Fletch. In a seemingly happy relationship, her boyfriend abruptly broke up with her via text message, leaving her devastated once more. “I’ve always believed that changing one’s view can change one’s mindset,” she says. “So, I booked a cheap all-inclusive holiday to Sharm El Sheikh, a city on the junction of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba in Egypt, for five days. While all-inclusive hotels suit some, my restless nature couldn’t settle for lounging by a pool. Knowing this, I found a local stable where I could ride stunning Arabian stallions in a picturesque national park for a full day with lunch for £125. I signed up for two days.

“When I arrived at the stable, they asked about my riding abilities. I mentioned my background in show jumping, albeit not a skilled one, and that I considered myself a ‘rider’,” explains Emma, adding that what followed proved valuable later when starting her own business and assisting her own clients. In short, don’t assume that every ‘rider’ is able to handle a spicy Arabian stallion!

“They brought out a magnificent black stallion named Belal, reminiscent of movie scenes. Embarrassingly, my skills were too rusty, and I had to be led,” she laughs. “I quickly learnt that there’s a vast difference between being an arena rider and handling a hot-blooded horse in the desert. And though the ride left me unable to walk for three days, it rekindled my love for horses. My guide – who was running the tour on behalf of a friend – was kind and patient, and we became firm friends. So much so, that when I returned home, we stayed in touch and I discovered he had his own horses in Dahab, a Bedouin village outside Sharm El Sheikh.”

Back in the UK, thoughts of the black stallion and her friend persisted. “That summer, I visited them again for a few days. However, his skill with horses didn’t translate into business acumen. While they looked fine initially, by the end of summer the horses were in poor condition; the daily trek to the beach had taken its toll. He explained that he walked them daily for 45 minutes each way to the main tourist beach, where they’d spend the day under the sun, waiting for riders.

“I told him there had to be a better way to work and decided there and then to approach the hotels on the beach direct to see if we could work with them,” explains Emma. “I created a business card, took my only dress out of my suitcase… and did some serious cold calling!

“They all decided to work with us and through this I managed to get the horses off the beach, as bookings were direct with the hotels, meaning horses could be ridden from the stables. Instead of five euros per hour they were instantly happy to pay 25 euros or more for guests.”

A BUMPY RIDE

“The rides gained traction, so much so that before long I was investigating ‘how to start your own horse-riding holiday’. With a basic website, I reached out to agencies and after eight months of daily emails, travel company Far and Ride responded, agreeing to work with me if I was to stop with the daily emails.”

“Emma found herself back
where she had started.”

Unfortunately, luck was not on her side and due to a bombing at the local airport, the business had no revenue as it was placed into a red travel zone for some time. “I returned to the UK and took up five freelance jobs to pay for some new stables at the national park at Sharm El Sheik, and after five months I had saved enough to then return,” recalls Emma. “On my return, however, I was devastated to find that my team of horses – by which point there were 17 – were not in as good a shape as they should have been. I also discovered my business partner there had been pocketing half the money I had been sending over; I went to the police only to find out that the contract was fake. I lost everything… my horses, the stables, everything I had worked so hard to build. The only thing I kept was the name, Ride Egypt.”

Emma found herself back where she had started, looking for stables again. She heard through the grapevine that the stables in Dehab, where she first met Belal, were up for rent. “So I took it on, stables and all, and there I was reunited with my first love – Belal!”

Emma says the real turning point was when she opted to moved Ride Egypt and its team of six horses across the Red Sea to Luxor, a city on the east bank of the Nile River, eight years ago. “We became self-sufficient farmers, growing our own horse feed. Surrounded by history, including temples and the Nile, Egypt’s rich narrative unfolded.” From there, Ride Egypt expanded north to Cairo, and also added experiences such as swimming with horses in the Red Sea and exploring Fayoum National Park. “Egypt’s offerings seem boundless, and we are just at the beginning.”

HOW MUCH CHILLI DO YOU WANT?

Horse welfare has always been a top priority for Emma, and in fact many of Ride Egypt’s horses are ones she has rescued along the way. “I run a military operation here in the summer. Horses are fed five times a day on a mix of bussing (which is like clover) and a small amount of grain for protein, corn, and barley, and we have also introduced probiotics into their diet, which has made a massive difference. We also lunge the horses at 4am before the heat, and then hand walk them in the afternoon to prevent colic and stiffness, especially in the older horses.”

Drawing on her experience of perhaps over-selling her own abilities on that first trip to Egypt all those years ago, Emma explains that she’s implemented set criteria for accepting people on riding holidays. “It’s listed several times throughout our website, reconfirmed on the guests’ invoices prior to payment plus in our welcome packs. Guests fill in rider forms also and send them back to us with information about their riding history, horse personalities they enjoy and so forth. We do also understand it can be a little nerve-wracking on the first ride together, so we always have breakfast with our groups pre-ride to go over anything again.”

Ride Egypt caters for a range of abilities. “Our entry level is to be able to canter on a well-trained horse unaided in an open space. Our entry level horses I tend to call ‘holiday’ horses… these are fabulous well-trained horses who are responsible and respectful with easy steering and brakes. In cases where we have less experienced riders, we always have enough horses and guides to be able to separate guests or make two small groups, so everyone can enjoy the ride at their own pace.

“We get a sixth sense when listening to guests as to what horses would suit them. Our favourite saying is ‘how much chilli do you want with your horse?’. If someone wants a super spicy horse and we feel they are capable, we can always provide that,” she adds with a grin.

DISCOVER THE ‘REAL EGYPT’

Ride Egypt’s latest addition, the Tombs, Dunes, and Kingdoms ride, showcases the finest aspects of Cairo, Fayoum, and Luxor. Well-planned and culturally informative expeditions blend equestrian exploration with archaeological discovery, giving participants the chance to traverse the mesmerising landscapes of Egypt – from the storied pyramids and tombs of Giza to the majestic dunes of the Sahara Desert.

“This new ride is really a one-of-a-kind experience that promises to be the ride of a lifetime,” explains Emma. “It is a carefully curated expedition where guests will have the chance to experience everything from the pyramids to the Sahara Desert, the spectacle of sunrise hot air balloons and Luxor’s amazing temples.”

The new tour works with the locals and delivers a taste of the real Egypt, which isn’t something you get with many commercial tours. “There is a huge difference… not only in terms of Egyptology but in terms of knowing the best places to eat, hidden gems to visit off the beaten tracks, shopping and learning,” says Emma of Ride Egypt’s point of difference.

So, what tips does Emma have for anyone considering partaking in the Ride Egypt experience? “A good sense of humour!” she laughs. “Cotton is your friend; avoid anything polyester. Wear sunscreen, and pack something warmer for the evenings… it actually gets pretty chilly at night in the winter.”

With a strong commitment to responsible tourism, total dedication to animal welfare, and unrivalled expertise in the region, Ride Egypt provides travellers with unparalleled experiences, showcasing the hidden treasures and timeless charm of this incredible country.

For more information about the Tombs, Dunes, and Kingdoms ride or to book your once-in-a-lifetime equestrian adventure, please visit Ride Egypt’s official website at www.rideegypt.com EQ

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