Western theme is reflected is dude "city"

THE "ultimate Western experience" is how the promotional literature describes the Drumcoura City dude ranch which Mr Gerrit Isenborger…

THE "ultimate Western experience" is how the promotional literature describes the Drumcoura City dude ranch which Mr Gerrit Isenborger worked on for a few weeks.

The £2.25 million equestrian complex is owned by Austrian business man, Mr Michael Hehle, who also owns the Co Cavan house in which Mr Isenborger has lived since 1994.

The 500 acre ranch, which overlooks Dromcoura Lake three miles east of Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, offers packages in Western style horse riding, trekking and cattle handling.

The "city", which opened in summer 1995, includes a Western saloon, a restaurant and overnight accommodation in Scandinavian style log cabins.

READ MORE

The night entertainment of live music and line dancing reflects the Western theme.

The city has a sauna, a splash pool, a craft shop and one of the largest covered arenas in Europe where lessons and demonstrations are given by costume clad "cowboys" and "cowgirls".

Lessons in Western style horse riding cost £15 per hour.

This type of riding differs from the English style with a higher saddle, more emphasis on leg work and lighter control of the reins.

The wide range of packages on offer include a half day course in Western style riding at £42 per person and a three hour package including a lesson and a trek at £29.

The bed and breakfast rate is £26.50 a night.

A one week stay with full board and six hours' riding a day costs £792 per person.

Clinics are held in general horsemanship and the cattle handling techniques of roping and reigning by Arizona cowboy, Mr Ben Balow, who also oversees the horse breeding programme at the facility.

A spokesman for Drumcoura City said it caters for both accomplished riders and beginners.

Visitors come mainly from Germany, England, Northern Ireland and the Republic.