Your booking was for late afternoon, giving you the whole day to send a message, if you didn’t have the courage for a phone call.
But then it became apparent that you had obviously just had a change of mind, despite 3 emails from you confirming your booking and the time, you untagged yourself and blocked me on Instagram.  Fortunately the other guests were understanding about being kept waiting while we waited for you and then unsaddled your horses.  
This blog headline caught my eye “Dear Client, Don’t No-Show Me – It’s a Jerk Move!” and made me think of you.
According to your social media profiles and simple online search, it appears that you are both young professionals in your industries.  Which does make one wonder (you won’t answer emails and unlikely to pay the outstanding invoice), so wonder it will most likely remain! Who taught you that integrity has no value? Your parents, society..?
Your last email - “See you tomorrow. Thanks! K” What does that actually mean in your world? Maybe, if I feel like it, if nothing else more exciting comes up??
What are your values like in your work environment? Do you always stick to your word, or only sometimes? Would you expect to get paid if you did a no-show at work, would you pay an employee for simply not pitching?
What will you teach your children about integrity, respect or just good manners? That it is acceptable to have different sets of values, depending on the circumstance or people involved?  That small businesses are not worth respect?
How would you feel if you arrived to find we had sold your spaces and had no availability? I fear a possible temper tantrum and much foot stomping?  
Fortunately we still see more amazing clients than jerks, so the irritation will wane. May you become less of a jerk in life.
Regards from the Horse About Team..

Hallo Jo,

Thank you for your kindness and hospitality.
We all enjoyed a delightful time with you, your family and all those at Horse About.

We will most certainly join you for another wonderful experience in the near future.

The time with you and your splendid horses was truly marvellous. We were all a little stiff but overwhelmed by the utter joy we were privileged to experience. Thank you.

We will liaise shortly regarding our next visit.

Keep well until then.

Kind regards,
Deidré and Co

Hi Jo

I just want to say thank you for an amazing experience on Wednesday,what beautiful horses.

I had Twinkle Toes and my girlfriend had Sky and friend had Alabama.

We posted a pic or 2 on the tripadvisor page.

See you again in the future

Warm regards
Bevan

Hi Jo!

Thank you for your email and for a really fantastic morning on Sunday! I’ve ridden at a few places around Cape Town and I can definitely say that my best experience was with you. Equally, we are so keen for the tipis and if you ever do a weekend or overnight expedition please think of us.

Zoë

22/06/2015

Our Romantic Horse Trails are very popular as an ideal and unique way to propose to your special one. Let us arrange special touches or surprise stop overs to make your day truly memorable! Here are a few images from some of our special request Horse Trails.

Asking "Will you?" is a very special day and important that all the little details are covered to celebrate this special event.

The owners of White Bridge Farm Accommodation joined us recently on one of our Magical Moonlight rides - this is what they had to say. (original posted on Facebook)

UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCES FOR VISITORS TO ENJOY:
Last night we were yet again privileged to enjoy a spectacular moonlight ride with Jo and John Lister from Horse About.
It was a perfect evening and since we were all reasonably experienced riders on this occasion, we went for a beautiful canter through the vineyards until we reached the foot of the mountain.
Here we took the forest path and slowed our pace to a stead walk in single file as it was by now pretty dark. We entered the thicket and could no longer see anything as the darkness surrounded us. This was a real lesson in trust between man and horse. Suddenly the moon crested and all the leaves on the surrounding trees turned a shimmering silver. We lost the moon again as we moved closer to the mountain and it appeared again as we moved the other way. In this way we experienced the "moon rising" about 5 times during this magical experience with the night jar calling in the back ground.
When we finally broke through and exited the forest on the far side, the moon was by now fully up and we headed through a paddock of cattle. We continued in moonlight on another bush path taking us past a tree which has signs of having frequently been visited by a leopard. This I have witnessed on a previous ride in the daylight.
We finally arrived at a wonderful new gathering place under some large trees where John and Jo have created wonderful log tables and chairs and a tethering pole for the horses. It was the first time that this site had been used by guests. We felt very privileged when we dismounted here to enjoy some wine and snacks as we looked over the valley below and, listening to the silence and toasting our good fortune with gratitude. Thank you Jo and John for sharing.
This wonderful experience, along with sun set rides, family morning rides, proposal or romantic rides etc. can be enjoyed by anyone visiting this valley and we are very grateful that the Listers have this wonderful activity to offer our guests.

Suprisingly many people, dont know that the winelands extends beyond Stellenbosch and Paarl - and boy are they pleasantly suprised! The Witzenberg Valley home to Tulbagh, Wolseley, Ceres and Prince Alfred Hamlet is very conveniently located to Cape Town, the Route 62, Riebeek Kasteel and easily incorporated into a visit to Aquila, Fairy Glen, Kagga Kamma and more. Stop over en route to the Cederberg or when travelling between West and East Coast. The roads are great and you are assured a warm country welcome!

How could a girl not say YES...
Special rides are just.. well special to arrange and be a part of - the excitement, planning, secrets are all simply contagious!

 Mails and phone calls fly back and forth while plans are plotted, locations are chosen, sparkly bottles are put on ice… and of course all has to appear normal “back at the ranch” when the couple arrive, for “just another adventure”…

 With great relief the weather forecast changed from gloom to sunshine, friends were coerced as helpers to set up ice buckets and guard them from potentially thirsty baboons.. Anyone who has read my previous post on proposals will know that Donki also has to be supervised!   

 Andre planned this special event in fine detail and managed to keep it all a secret too, including getting his future father-in-laws permission prior to the day!

Despite being a little apprehensive about the horse riding thing, and a close encounter of the reptilian kind, Almari did fabulously and all nerves were banished by the surprise of Sparkling Krone on ice in the middle of the forest.

 How could she not say YES !!

Thank you Almari and Andre for sharing this wonderful day with us! The Horse About Team wishes you much happiness in your future life together and we look forward to seeing you back again soon!

And a big thank you to Sally for being caretaker of bubbles, secret photographer and horse helper in the forest!

Hi Jo,

I trust you're well. 

Just wanted to say a big Thank You to you, John and your son. 

We had a lovely time horse riding with the entire family. Baby Mikayla just loved it. She couldn't stop talking about it & slept all through the night after the horse ride:-) We were all so amazed how well she did and really enjoyed herself, we even did the 1.5 hour trail cos she told John she wanted to ride longer:-)

We really thank you guys for your patience as well throughout, we had an amazing time. We cannot explain the peace & tranquility we experience in the trail. It really is beautiful. 

We will definitely return some time in the future. 

Thanks again for everything. All the best. 

Kind Regards,

Kerissa & Family

Our Donki appears to have been watching too much Shrek... today we had another lovely engagement ride followed by a sunset picnic set up at the dam. The picnic was all set up before hand as a surprise for the lucky lady.... Krone MCC on ice, snacks ready, picnic blanket laid out... - on the way back from the ride I spy Donki investigating all this lovely layout.. (Donki doesn’t believe in fences so usually wanders where he sees fit supervising and sampling where he goes)
Surely he will tell you that nibbling some of the bits and scattering the lavender decorations was all for quality control..I mean really why would you put funny smelling leaves on the table top... A very unimpressed Donki grumbled off in his unhurried way when ushered away with strict instructions to leave the people in peace... the young man in particular seemed to need a sip or two of bubbly to settle the nerves...
No sooner do I turn my back and leave them in peace...  and Donki reappears to stand STARING at them for ever in his silent and contemplative, slightly disapproving way.
Now keep in mind that Donki has also read Eeyore and shares the same philosphy on life, so even when being spoilt with carrots and his favourite things he manages to look as if he is foreseeing the end of anything good before it starts... "no good willl come of this" he seems to say...
Just the support you need when you want to ask a very important question!!
I tried subtle whistling and waving feedbags but only succeeded in attracting the entire horse herd.. and not as if I wanted to rush back up the hill and burst in on the poor people..
Eventually Donki wandered off in his ear shaking way… no doubt he was just grumbling as to how they didnt share any snacks or bubbly or else he has a very jaded view on inedible glittery rings & salted peanuts...

Happily all went off well and one very happy smiling couple, with lovely ring on her finger, went their merry way blowing kisses back at Donki….I wonder if he will get an invite to the wedding!!
NOTE TO SELF Next time LOCK the Donki up before hand.. Luckily he didn’t start braying or giving his asthmatic whistle … then again he could've just stood there "popping ...." like others we love...

Looking for a novel way to propose to your loved one? Look no further than Horse About we will be sure to add something unplanned!! :-)

Parents often ask "What age do you take children on your trails" and it is such a difficult question as it depends entirely on the child.
We have taken many 4 year olds out on the trail - they usually have no problem managing the 1,5 hour trail and we have had 8 year old refuse to go anywhere near the horses.
So it depends alot on each individual, if they are confident and comfortable around animals, they will generally be absolutely fine on an outride.

This darling little girl, Angelique, is our youngest rider to date though - 2 years and 2 months. We had agreed on a quiet meander through the forest thinking that a short ride would be enough, but there was no turning back and she rode the whole way, forest trail and all!
Well done Angelique - we look forward to seeing you back soon!

Dear Jo and John

A note of gratitude to you for the wonderful couple of hours we spent in your company together with that of the horses. Given your attention to detail and natural affinity with people and horses alike, we were relaxed and happy at all times. Thankfully, the weather played along to make for a spectacular outing.

Many thanks and we wish you every success in the future.

Sincerely,

William, Janine, Sarah and Lucy
July 2013 - Cape Town

We enjoyed ourselves very much and we will be coming back again as a group for Moonlight begining of summer!

Thanx again for your hospitality you left big ;-))) in our faces!!!!

Linda and Nomonde - July 2013

Just wanted to say another big thank you for yesterday. Michael and I just loved the experience and hope to visit you again for a longer ride next time. Will recommend everyone who’s interested to Horse About! We love the way you love your horses so much. Sarah & Michael June 2013