Feb 17, 2005 – Going on a horseback ride with Equus Stables near Cane Bay beach on St. Croix, isn't like horseback riding in Indiana or Ohio. It isn't like horseback riding anywhere in the states.
The breathtaking views of the North Shore sitting on a horse on top of a bluff are available nowhere else in the world.
At the bottom of the bluffs there are opportunities to take a gallop along a sandy beach or take one of Stephen O'Dea's 22 sure-footed horses over rocky edges into the gently breaking waves.
And there is O'Dea himself. He is a colorful character known to probably everyone on the north shore.
How could he not be described as colorful? His was born in Ireland. His family was in dairy farming. He was a Catholic priest for 10 years. He then worked as cowboy on a Texas ranch for several years. "That was a lot of fun," he says.
For the last 14 years he has called the North Shore home and has been running Equus. Although he has three other employees, he does most of the work with the horses. He says that he is more of horse trainer than anything else.
Questions that set him off into a conjecturing mood are why some horses are gentler with children than they are with adults. He has a horse he says will get ornery with an adult who shows inexperience at riding, but will be very accepting if a child makes the same mistake.
A little expertise is what O'Dea wants from his riders. He says, "I like a ride to go a certain way."
But if the customer comes with no riding skills, that is OK too. O'Dea appears to enjoy giving some basic tips on holding the reins correctly, steering the horse and sitting in the saddle straight.
His early lessons are a bit reassuring as one negotiates the rocks leading down to the beach or the steep climbs up the bluff. It at least gives the rider the feeling of being in control even though the horses are doing the real negotiating with their feet.
His trail trips generally last about two hours. He takes sunset trips often He will also do full moon rides on special occasions. He says he is careful of the evening trips because he likes to be able to see how everyone is handling his or her horse.
Eight riders are generally the most he wants to take out on the ride, and if there are small children along, he might suggest even fewer riders. He says he finds that children 6 and above can handle the ride well.
When it's quiet during the ride, O'Dea will talk about the history of the area – from plantation times to contemporary famous residents of the area.
He takes part in activities on the island too. Many of the horses in the Mardi Croix parade were his. Oddly enough, though, when it comes to the annual Agriculture Fair on St. Croix, he takes a donkey to show.
For more information and reservations call Equus at 778-0933.
