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For Kyivans looking for a new sport or a little adventure, horseback riding may fit the bill. There are several options in and around the city for people who want to give the equestrian life a try.

For Kyivans looking for a new sport or a little adventure, horseback riding may fit the bill. There are several options in and around the city for people who want to give the equestrian life a try.

Rancho Bolivar

If you are looking for a total getaway, Rancho Bolivar is your place. Located 35 kilometers from Kyiv, the sprawling complex offers a variety of outdoor activities including paintball, ping-pong, hiking trails and a swimming pool.

But the real draw is the horses. For Hr 150-200 an hour you can walk, or gallop, through the fields and forest surrounding the stables. Trainers are on hand if you want lessons, but you should book in advance.

It is also possible to book carriage (Hr 500 per hour) or winter sleigh rides (Hr 200 per 30 minutes). The décor in Bolivar’s bar and restaurant – dark wood paneling, white tablecloths and chandeliers – resembles an upscale hunting lodge.

You can dine here or choose a spot on the large wood and stone patio that surrounds and extends over a small lake.

The restaurant boasts an extensive menu, but for a simple lunch the borscht (Hr 30-60) is excellent and the vegetable salad (Hr 30) is very fresh. If you prefer something fancier, everything from shashlik and grilled sausage to blini with caviar and foie gras is available. If you would like to make a weekend of it, Bolivar’s hotel has rooms for Hr 400-600 per night.

Dergachov

The Dergachov Family Club is more rustic than Bolivar and, surrounded by acres and acres of green farmland, it is the best place for nature lovers.
Some 40 horses are available to ride by the hour or for monthly lease.

A trail ride in the forest costs Hr 300 for one person plus a trainer and Hr 150 for each additional person. A lesson in the ring is Hr 170 per hour or you can purchase 10 lessons for Hr 1,500.

The club opened just last month and also offers a hotel and restaurant. For lunch or dinner, your best bet is the fish from a lake on the property. The carp – lightly fried and served on a wooden plank – is excellent for Hr 69. If you would rather cook your own, you can purchase a day pass and catch up to three kilos for Hr 150.

For fishermen or riders too tired to make the trek home, a 14-room hotel is located above the stables. Each room has a private bath, shower and air conditioning for Hr 300 per night.

Argamak

The most basic of the three, and also the easiest to get to for Kyivans, Argamak is located on Trukhaniv Island in central Kyiv. You won’t find any fancy extras here – just horses.

A lesson with a trainer is Hr 200 per hour or you can pay Hr 800 a month for eight lessons. They require that you are trained before going on trail rides, so you must take lessons in their outdoor riding ring first. Be sure to call in advance if you want to book a lesson.

There is no restaurant on the premises but a slew of cafes and kiosks are steps away on Trukhaniv’s beach area where you can relax and take a dip in the Dnipro after a hard ride.

Bolivar
114 Schorsa St., village Zdorovka
Vasylkiv region, Kyiv Oblast

Tel: 451-54-54, www.ranchobolivar.com.ua

To get there: Take the #303 shuttle bus from Lybidsky Metro station to Vasylkiv (the last stop). From here, take a 10-minute cab ride to Bolivar or catch the #1 bus to Kalinka and get off at Petrivka. Bolivar is a one-kilometer walk from the bus stop. Ask the driver to let you know where to get off.

Dergachov Family Club

15 Kashtanova St., village Veremya
Obukhiv region, Kyiv Oblast

Tel: 067 547 18 80, www.hs-club.com.ua

To get there: Driving is the easiest way, but if you need to take public transport, catch #313 marshrutka from the Vydubychi metro station headed to village Ukrainka. In Ukrainka your best bet is to hire a taxi for the 10 minute ride to the stables.

Argamak
1 Trukhaniv ostriv
Tel: 428 8638

To get there: From Poshtova Metro Station, walk over the footbridge and past the entrance to the beach. You will see some small cafes on your right and just after, a narrow dirt road leading into the forest. Follow this for a few minutes and the stable will be on your left.