Dominican Republic: Day 5 (Part 1)

August 1, 2011

They call her Ojos Unicos.  She is unique, because she has one brown eye and one blue eye.  My guides for the day at Rancho Veragua told me that they had chosen her especially for me, as not only was she beautiful, but she had a temperament that would make me fall in love with horseback riding.  I had not ridden a horse since childhood, thus I did not know what to expect on my equestrian journey.

Rancho Veragua is located about an hour’s drive from the center of Puerto Plata.  It is a 3,500 acre ranch set on a nature preserve rich with organic beauty allowing guests a direct commune with their surroundings.  It is a place where I had no objections to slowing down.

Horseback riding in the Caribbean does not get any better than this.  My guides and I set off on a two hour trail where I was treated to constant narration of the scenery and area that changed with each gallop.

The trail took me through the scenic northern countryside and provided me a unique opportunity to take in the Dominican Republic first hand.  Although it was quite a feat to balance riding a horse up mountains and through rivers while taking photos, I still found the ride to be incredibly relaxing.

My friendly, accomplished, and trained guides upon my arrival to the stables and from the beginning to the end of the trail ensured that I felt comfortable and confident at all times.  I highly recommend using Rancho Veragua to experience the thrill of riding a horse through a part of the country that you might never had had the chance to see otherwise.

It was true, Ojos Unicos could not have had a better temperament and saying goodbye to her was difficult.  Had I fallen in love with horseback riding?  I believe it is still too soon to tell, thus I simply need to return to see if it might be something more than just a crush. . .

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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62 thoughts on “Dominican Republic: Day 5 (Part 1)

  1. Jenni

    How fun!! I can’t imagine a better day than horseback riding while exploring the beautiful DR! Also love the plumeria shot… my fave 🙂

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      It was a wonderful experience! I’m so glad that I did it, despite some hesitations. I definitely want to ride again, maybe on the beach next? Plumeria is beautiful!!!

      Reply
  2. Alexa

    I’ve heard good things about the DR, but all of these posts are making me want to pack up and go RIGHT NOW!! Ojos Unicos and that puppy are A-dorable.

    Reply
  3. Tours Of The Vatican

    Andi-

    What gorgeous pictures! That horse is fantastic, I haven’t ridden in a long time though. I fell once when I was in my teens and it just hasn’t been the same since!

    Heidi

    Reply
  4. Ruth (Tanama Tales)

    Andi,
    Great to know you had great fun riding Ojos Unicos!!! I am actually a little bit scared of riding horses since I fell from one in Costa Rica. However, I will like to give riding horses another try. Actually, the first time I ran a horse was in the Dominican Republic.

    Reply
      1. Ruth (Tanama Tales)

        No, I fell in Costa Rica. The horse I was riding started to fight with another horse, the sadle turned and I fell in a puddle of mud. The thing is that I had to get over the horse again because we were still far from the final destination. At least, I didn’t fall over horse poop.

        Reply
  5. ayngelina

    The last time I rode a horse it was in Mexico and they gave me a pregnant one because it supposedly had a good temperment but the horse ended up galloping!

    Your trip sounds much more tranquillo.

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Oh gosh a pregnant one! I would have felt so bad riding her. My guides had U.O. gallop quite a few times, but they warned me beforehand. Was difficult to hold my camera and gallop at the same time! For the most part though the trip was definitely tranquilo.

      Reply
  6. matt

    Mad props on the photos! I know how difficult it is to take pictures on horseback. My last experience was a 3 hr trek, I remember having trouble walking the next day haha

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      THANK YOU!!! It was SO challenging to ride the horse and take photos! I swear I almost fell off 10X, but it was totally worth it. And yes, I was in AGONY the next 2 days haha.

      Reply
  7. Sailor

    Now we live in a Chennai, but I am from a Village called Nilambur in Kerala. My American wife is tired of the big city life and in the next few years we will be moving to my jungle village.

    Reply
  8. Kyle

    I absolutely love horseback riding! It’s such a great way to move quietly through nature and you feel so peaceful when doing it. Looks like you and Ojos Unicos had a good time together 🙂

    Reply
  9. Bluegreen Kirk

    Great photos! Looks like DR was a blast. What kind of puppy is that? Looks like a boxer or a terrier. My mom and wife love horseback riding I would have stayed and played with the pup.

    Reply
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      I think it was a boxer/terrier mix? She was beyond adorable with the most lovely personality! I played with her for about 30 minutes haha. She kept getting into trouble with the owners though. You know puppies!

      Reply
  10. Ceri

    I’m not really a fan of horse riding but wow, the things you’ve seen are incredible.

    And I’ve never seen a horse with blue eyes (or eye) before. Like something out of a fantasy story or something. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Pingback: Dominican Republic: Day 6 | My Beautiful Adventures

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