‘Leave only hoof prints’ |23 September 2014

‘Turquoise Trails’ is the name of the horse riding business to be set up at Barbarons and its motto is ‘Leave Only Footprints’.
On Saturday during a meeting at the district’s community centre, investor Damien Dreyer explained to the inhabitants of Grand Anse Mahe the business he will be setting up.

Those present got information on what the project is about, its exact location and what exactly Mr Dreyer plans to put in place at Barbarons which falls in the Grand Anse Mahe district.

The meeting was organised by the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) which was represented by its chief executive Rupert Simeon. Also present where officials from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Seychelles Planning Authority and other partners involved in the project.

Turquoise Trails plans to set up two trails for the horse riding business – a beach trail where the riders will use a path on the beach, and a mountain trail where they will go through the mountains. The business is targeting tourists and any Seychellois who wish to experience horse riding. It will also be aiming at school children so they can learn the advantages of riding horses and familiarise themselves with horses. School holiday pony camps for about two hours are also being planned for children. Turquoise Trails will import its own horse feeds like seeds which are in different stages.

“I encourage people to come to experience the thrills of riding a horse,” said Mr Dreyer. He said he will be targeting mainly tourists from major hotels around Barbarons like Ephelia Resort, Kempinski, Banyan Tree and Four Seasons. He also noted that all are welcome.

“I was a tourist once in Seychelles and I searched for a place where I can do horse riding but there was none. To me there was a gap for such an activity. So I said why not set up one here,” said Mr Dreyer when explaining how the idea for such a project came about.

He breeds horses in South Africa and is well versed in such a business.

Mr Dreyer said he plans to bring seven horses to Seychelles and employ Seychellois workers, adding that it will take them about three months to learn the job. He also plans to market his business through the Seychelles Tourism Board and adverts in local newspapers.