About us

Outside the Corral was born out of a deep passion for discovering the world from horseback and the drive to share this extraordinary experience with as many people as possible. We believe it is the most magical way to immerse yourself into the nature and culture of a new destination and we simply want to get you as addicted to it as we are!

Who’s behind Outside the Corral?

The founder of Outside the Corral Laure-Anne Rigaux has been an avid rider and traveller for over 15 years. While she loves many things in life, there is nothing that makes her smile quite as big as when she is out on horseback in the great outdoors. Because of this passion, she undertook many riding holidays herself and also worked for three summers at a riding holiday location in France. This is how she developed a deep feeling for this niche sector.

From own hit and miss experiences in the past Laure-Anne knows how tricky it can be to find high-quality riding locations that treat their horses with care and that are no tourist traps. These experiences planted the seed to found Outside the Corral, with the goal to connect as many horse enthusiasts as possible with the most authentic and extraordinary riding holidays in the world.

Why are we called Outside the Corral?

Of course there is the literal meaning. On a riding holiday you leave the safety of an enclosed corral (or riding arena) and you ride out into the wide open nature. But what attracted us more than anything else in this name, is the fact that it expresses the exact feeling and filosophy that riding holidays represent to us.

On a riding holiday, you go outside the corral of your own daily grind to experience something exciting and unique. You leave the safety of your comfort zone for a life-changing experience that breathes freedom. To us, there could be no better name to represent our authentic riding holidays.

Are you ready to go outside your own corral?!

Our DNA

Authenticity

We stay far away from tourist traps and bring you to the authentic gems. We look for the pure places that allow you to fully immersive yourself in the culture, history and the local atmosphere of your destination. Our partners are locally rooted and have lots of stories and knowledge to share with you.

Exceptionality

We go for the ‘waw’-factor! We select and create horseback journeys with the objective to bring you happiness, wonder, excitement and the feeling of being alive. It’s our aspiration to disconnect you from your daily grind and to give you a memorable experience that enriches (or even changes) your life.

Responsible tourism

Our ‘leave nothing but a hoof print’ ethos aims at having a positive and minimal impact on the local communities and environments we travel to. We select local partners that share and demonstrate these values of responsible tourism and sustainability through their way of operation.

Small-scale

Mass tourism is not our cup of tea. We like to take you off the beaten track to the hidden gems. All our partners are small-scale, often even family-owned, businesses. This small scale allows for a more personal and therefore richer travel experience.

Cooperative brands

Cloots Ruitersport

Still looking for something for your next riding holiday? We work together with Cloots Ruitersport, an equestrian shop where you can find all the top brands for both horse and rider. Online shopping is also possible.

Trip natuur

A place full of inspiration about travel and trips that put you in contact with nature. For more peace and happiness. On adventure in Europe with your kids, but sometimes also without.

What do others say?

I travelled to Ireland as a non-rider and fully enjoyed the trip! The preparation went very smoothly, everything was prepared down to the last detail. Laure-Anne’s enthusiasm made me very excited for departure. I am still reminiscing on the beautiful room, the friendly service, the delicious food and the tranquillity of nature during my walks.
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Katrin Lauwers
I had an absolutely fantastic holiday that exceeded all my expectations! Everything was meticulously organized, the horses were exceptionally well cared for, and Emilio and Mamén are truly delightful people. Despite the challenging days, it was the perfect introduction to riding holidays. The stunning landscapes, delicious food, and charming rustic hotels all contributed to a flawless experience. Spending seven hours a day on the back of a wonderfully trained horse instills so much confidence that you can fully enjoy and relax without worries. The seamless organization, from Laure-Anne’s planning to Emilio and Mamén’s execution, allowed for a carefree experience without having to overthink anything before or during the vacation. I couldn’t have chosen a better “first” experience, and this sentiment was shared by riders who have been re-booking this trip for years. My inaugural experience with Outside the Corral was truly wonderful, and it certainly won’t be my last. Highly recommended for those who can handle long days in the saddle — DON’T HESITATE! Thank you for everything, Laure-Anne — I’ll be back!
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I highly recommend Outside the Corral as a partner for your next riding holiday. Laure-Anne understood our travel expectations very well and translated this in an attractive travel proposal. My questions at the start quickly became a non-issue thanks to Laure-Anne’s expertise and the excellent guidance on site. OTC more than fulfilled its promise of a unique journey. I have already planned my next trip!
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Edwin D’Hondt
From the idea of and all the way throughout the experience, I felt wonderfully guided by Outside the Corral. Laure-Anne helped me find just the trip I was hoping to have this April, right at the start of the season in Europe. Looking forward to my next one ahead! This time, I will take my dad and my sister with me. Can warmly recommend this agency.
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