The Equitrekking team, who started their business with a single Virtuoso agent two years ago, joined forces with Largay Travel to keep up with the demand from travelers for their riding vacations. Much of this interest is spurred by the popular Equitrekking TV series, which broadcasts nationwide on PBS stations and internationally in over 65 countries. At their interactive website, EquitrekkingTravel.com, equestrians and those seeking to horse ride while on vacation can choose from a variety of hand-picked riding holidays, many of which have been featured by equestrian travel expert and three time Daytime Emmy nominated TV host Darley Newman on Equitrekking. Photos, videos, traveler reviews, blogs, travel tips, detailed itineraries and more engage travelers with personal insight into each special vacation.

“After riding horses with local people all over the world and receiving inquiries from travelers who wanted to ride with the guides they saw featured on our TV show, we launched EquitrekkingTravel.com to feature these unique experiences that combine horse riding with other adventure, culinary and cultural travels,” said Darley. “We are excited to work with the highly regarded team of travel consultants and horsewomen at Largay Travel as we expand our offerings and welcome new travelers.”

Largay Travel, one of New England’s premier travel organizations, has been arranging exclusive travel experiences since 1969. Their dedicated team of 30 skilled advisors have been recognized for four consecutive years by Conde Nast Travel magazine as one of “America’s Top 100 Secret Travel Agents” and for the past 8 years has made the A-List of the world’s top travel agents published by Travel & Leisure magazine. With 26,000 eligible agents competing for these honors, Largay Travel continues to stand out and bring clients the best in adventure, family, cruising and African safaris.

“We are excited to carry through our goal of providing life long memories from travel to the equestrians and their non-riding partners who take Equitrekking Travel’s featured tours,” said Amanda Klimak, Vice President of Largay Travel. “Our expertise in adventure and luxury travel and our ability to customize experiences paired with Equitrekking Travel’s extensive equestrian travel expertise makes for a winning combination for travelers.”

By working with Largay Travel, clients have the option for a full service experience from start to finish. This has been of special interest to equestrian groups, who receive special discounts and travel deals when booking a trip found on EquitrekkingTravel.com. Travelers also have access to trips found nowhere else, including EquitrekkingTravel.com’s exclusive Maui, Big Island and Cappadocia, Turkey horse riding vacations, a medieval village trek in Ireland and a special equestrian tour of Wales featuring riding Welsh Cobs in the breathtaking Cambrian Mountains, a visit to the Derwen International Welsh Cob Centre and a traveler favorite… a horse ride to the pub.

Equitrekking Travel continues to rapidly grow its client base, increasing its revenue three fold in its second year of operations. In addition to being featured on television in North America, Asia, Africa and Europe and earning high praise from travelers, Equitrekking Travel has been profiled in USA Today, The Boston Globe, Practical Horseman and Martha Stewart Radio.

With an already popular TV series, Newman continues to spread the word about her personal passion for eco-friendly horseback riding exploration and supporting locally owned, sustainable small businesses, all the while working to serve a growing niche community of equestrian enthusiasts and their families.

For more information, visit EquitrekkingTravel.com.
 

The Equitrekking TV show follows three time Daytime Emmy nominated TV host and equestrian Darley Newman as she travels the world riding horses with local people to get an in-depth, eco-friendly look at a destination’s natural surroundings, culture and history. Horse & Country TV reaches 10.5 million households in the UK and Ireland on SKY channel 280, providing exclusive sports event coverage, news, documentary and personality-led programming to the passionate audience for horse sports and country living.

In Equitrekking’s first twenty episodes on Horse & Country TV, Darley travels with viewers through the lush countryside of Ireland, the rugged landscapes of Iceland, historic regions of Spain, rainforests in Belize and Costa Rica and snowy Quebec. Across America, viewers discover great ranches, national parks and historic sites in Vermont, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia’s Coast, Wyoming, Colorado, Hawaii's Big Island, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Kentucky and California Wine Country.

“We are excited to spread our passion for horses, world culture and diversity to our friends across the pond,” said Darley, who created the series by combining her passion for horses and travel with her background in television production. “Through our insider’s interactions with local people, viewers experience a truly special way to get off the beaten path and see the world.”

APT Worldwide, a leading provider of quality non-fiction programming in the international market, has secured international distribution deals for Equitrekking on networks in over 65 countries including France, Italy, Russia, Japan, and Turkey. The Equitrekking production team has filmed 35 episodes in the Middle East, South America, North America, Europe and Africa, recently returning from filming a variety of horse safaris and travel adventures in Botswana.

Equitrekking.com, the companion site to the TV show, has a wealth of information on horseback riding and travel, including the comprehensive Equitrekking Vacation Guide, featuring dude ranches, working ranches, cattle drives, horse pack trips, riding vacations and great inns and resorts with horseback riding and a variety of additional activities for companions who don’t ride. Inspired by the Equitrekking TV show and led by many of the guides featured on the show, EquitrekkingTravel.com features exceptional global riding vacations.

Learn more at horseandcountry.tv/news and equitrekking.com/press/
 

The new, special section of Equitrekking.com features equestrian and travel inspired jewelry, apparel, books, toys, horse treats and art. The Equitrekking team selected creative and unusual finds, including horsey chocolates, a life sized stuffed pony for kids, vintage jewelry, personalized art and more, categorizing best picks for the holidays, horse owners, active equestrians and trail riders to make navigating the guide easy and fun. There’s a special section with ideas for horse-loving kids and their parents that includes shopping tips on finding memorable gifts for kids.

The Equitrekking TV show follows three time Daytime Emmy Award nominated TV host and equestrian Darley Newman as she travels the world riding horses with local people to get an in-depth, eco-friendly look at a destination’s natural surroundings, culture and history. From their world travels and from riding horses at home, the tight-knit crew and staff at Equitrekking have personal experience testing out products and finding unique shopping venues, many of which are featured in the holiday gift guide.

Equitrekking.com, the companion site to the TV show, has a wealth of information on horseback riding and travel, including the comprehensive Equitrekking Vacation Guide, featuring dude ranches, working ranches, cattle drives, horse pack trips, riding vacations and great inns and resorts with horseback riding and a variety of additional activities for companions who don’t ride.

Young entrepreneurs Darley Newman and Chip Ward have built the Emmy-winning Equitrekking series from the ground up, using their complementary skill sets and passions to creatively produce and promote each episode through online video and the popular Equitrekking.com website. In addition to its North American broadcasts, Equitrekking is now seen on international networks in over 65 countries including the Japan, France, Italy, Russia, and Turkey.

The Equitrekking Vacation Guide features the best places to saddle up and experience horse riding while on vacation. Destinations highlighted include historic dude ranches in Wyoming and Colorado, eco-friendly lodges and haciendas in South America, luxurious castles and estates in Ireland and France, horse safaris in Africa and horseback riding on the beaches of Costa Rica and Australia.

Equitrekking.com now provides a variety of methods for visitors to search the Vacation Guide. Destinations are categorized by themes and activities, allowing travelers to find destinations that satisfy mixed groups of riders and their non-riding companions. Special tabs highlight luxury destinations, U.S. and Canadian vacations, ranch vacations and international riding holidays - giving visitors multiple ways to find their dream vacation.

Equitrekking.com provides visitors everything they need to plan their travels including the travel blog of Equitrekking’s three time Emmy-nominated host and travel expert, Darley Newman, articles on horse related topics, stunning travel videos, travel tips, interviews with personalities living the equestrian lifestyle and candid reviews of global equestrian vacations. The information and insight on Equitrekking.com has been personally gathered by Equitrekking’s team of equestrians, journalists and producers who have traveled the world to research and evaluate content and information, making Equitrekking.com and the Vacation Guide a trusted travel resource.

About Equitrekking
Equitrekking is an Emmy Award-winning lifestyle television series that takes viewers on global travel and horseback riding adventures to experience culture, cuisine, history and adventure. Hosted by travel expert and producer Darley Newman, Equitrekking broadcasts on PBS in North America and on international networks in over 65 countries. The show’s companion website, Equitrekking.com, features everything visitors need to research and plan their travels, including video clips, expert tips, travel articles and the Equitrekking.com Vacation Guide, a searchable guide to dude ranches, cattle drives and riding holidays. For more information about Equitrekking visit www.equitrekking.com.
 

Equitrekking, the PBS travel series with host, producer and writer Darley Newman and executive producer and writer Chip Ward, has been honored with a Daytime Emmy nomination in the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Special Class Writing. This is the third consecutive year that Equitrekking, Darley and Chip have been nominated for Daytime Emmys.

Equitrekking is nominated alongside The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Teen Kids News on Fox and Jon Stewart’s landmark televised rally on Washington, DC’s Mall The Rally To Restore Sanity And/Or Fear, which broadcast on Comedy Central. This is Equitrekking’s fourth Daytime Emmy nomination. Equitrekking won an Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Photography in 2009 and was honored with a nomination for Outstanding Special Class Series in 2009 and 2010. Awards will be presented at a gala in Los Angeles on June 17th.

“We are so excited to be nominated a third year running alongside such an accomplished group of veteran writers and television producers,” said Darley. “We have a small production team, and over the years we each have taken on a variety of production roles. Being recognized for our hard work is truly an honor.”

The Equitrekking TV show follows Darley as she travels the world with local people to get an in-depth, eco-friendly look at a destination’s natural surroundings, culture and history. The tight-knit Equitrekking crew travels to dramatic and beautiful destinations, often riding horses to get to areas that aren’t normally showcased by the media.
 

The episode that garnered this year’s Emmy nod is Equitrekking: Jordan: Wadi Rum, Aqaba & Jerash, in which Darley joins local Bedouin to discover the Middle Eastern Kingdom of Jordan, riding horses through the dramatic Wadi Rum Desert and Dana Village, snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs, hiking Jordan’s version of the Grand Canyon and experiencing NASCAR’s ancient counterpart during chariot races in a restored Roman hippodrome.
 

“The Equitrekking series is about natural and cultural diversity and exploration," says Chip. “Our on-camera local guests play a significant role in each episode. Darley’s energy and passion for learning and culture and brings forth each local’s personality and keeps viewers engaged with the series and wanting more.”

Young entrepreneurs Darley and Chip have built the Emmy-winning Equitrekking series from the ground up, using their complementary skill sets and passions to creatively produce and promote each episode through online video and the popular Equitrekking.com website. In addition to its North American broadcasts, Equitrekking is now seen on international networks in over 65 countries including the Japan, France, Italy, Russia, and Turkey.

The 38th annual Daytime Emmy Awards is a presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in cooperation with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. To see a list of this year’s nominees, visit emmyonline.org. More Information and press photos are available in the Press Center of Equitrekking.com.

About Equitrekking 
Equitrekking is the Emmy Award-winning lifestyle television series that takes viewers on global travel and horseback riding adventures to experience culture, cuisine, history and adventure. Hosted by travel expert and producer Darley Newman, Equitrekking broadcasts in high definition on PBS in North America and on international networks in over 65 countries. The show’s companion website Equitrekking.com features everything visitors need to research and plan their travels, including video clips, expert tips, travel articles and the Equitrekking.com Vacation Guide, a searchable guide to dude ranches, cattle drives and riding holidays.

In September 2009, Equitrekking won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Photography and has been nominated two years running for Outstanding Special Class Series, alongside the popular MTV series True Life and Made. Equitrekking has twice been awarded First Place for Best Travel Broadcast in the North American Travel Journalist Awards Competition. Equitrekking’s companion book Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback, published by Chronicle Books and written by Darley Newman, received the Merit Award for Best Travel Book 2008 from the North American Travel Journalist Association. 

In addition to Equitrekking, Darley is a columnist Practical Horseman and True West magazines, DiscoverHorses.com and speaks frequently at events. Darley and Equitrekking have been featured in the Washington Post, Ralph Lauren magazine, USA Today, New York Times, Budget Travel, Hollywood Reporter and the book How’d You Score That Gig, a look at the coolest careers for twenty and thirty-something’s, published by Ballantine Books/Random House. Darley is also the founder of Equitrekking Travel at EquitrekkingTravel.com, featuring exceptional equestrian vacations led by many of the local guides seen on the Equitrekking TV show. Visit www.equitrekking.com

 

Create TV, a digital channel of popular Public Television lifestyle programs that reaches over 82% of U.S. TV households, will broadcast Equitrekking on Wednesdays and Sundays at 9:30am, 3:30pm and 9:30pm ET. The fifth season of Equitrekking includes thirteen half hour, high definition episodes from Uruguay, Alberta, Turkey’s Coast, Cappadocia & Istanbul, Jordan: Wadi Rum, Aqaba & Jerash, Jordan: Petra, Royal Stables & Dead Sea, Great National Parks, Great American Ranches, Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

In each episode of this eco-friendly travel series, Darley meets local people to experience history, adventure and culture both in and out of the saddle. Highlights include gaucho culture, rural estancias and the coastal cities of Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. On Turkey’s scenic Mediterranean Coast, Darley hikes the chilly waters of Saklikent Gorge and horseback rides through the abandoned Greek city of Kayaköy, before discovering Istanbul and Cappadocia. Alberta brings viewers on two different pack trips into Banff National Park and Kananaskis, riding to high altitudes and camping in the Canadian Rockies. Viewers then travel to a historic ranch in the foothills of the Rockies and into Calgary for the fast-paced Calgary Stampede.

“This season of Equitrekking is our most diverse yet. From riding with the Bedouin in the Middle East and through vineyards in Uruguay to visiting spice markets in Istanbul and pristine parks in the USA, we cover the globe and introduce viewers to the world’s most exotic and accessible destinations,” said Darley. “With local people as our guides, Equitrekking gives viewers a more personal take on travel and world cultures.”

On a two-episode journey through the Middle Eastern country of Jordan, Darley rides with the Bedouin in the spectacular Wadi Rum Desert, explores magical Petra, hikes Jordan’s version of the Grand Canyon, snorkels in the Red Sea and floats in the Dead Sea. In the well-preserved Roman city of Jerash, Darley tries NASCAR’s ancient counterpart, dressing in Roman garb and hopping a ride on a horse drawn chariot. To gain insight into the history and characteristics of the Arabian breed, Equitrekking gains exclusive access to the Royal Stables, where Darley interviews HRH Princess Alia on an insider’s tour.

Equitrekking Great National Parks takes a closer look at some of the remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and adventures in America’s National Parks. Parks profiled include Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef in Utah, the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, Kenai Fjords in Alaska, Haleakala National Park on Maui, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island, Cumberland Island in Georgia and Yellowstone in Wyoming. Equitrekking Great American Ranches delves into the history, culture and scenery of historic ranches in Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Alberta, Texas, Maui and the Big Island.

Learn more at http://www.equitrekking.com/ and http://www.createtv.com

April Create TV schedule

You can watch more of Equitrekking on Create TV, a PBS lifestyle channel that reaches over 82% of the U.S., starting March 30th. Here's the April schedule.

Equitrekking broadcasts Wednesdays and Sundays at 9:30am, 3:30pm, 9:30pm EST:

Wed, March 30th - 501 Equitrekking Alberta

Sunday, April 3rd - 502 Equitrekking Jordan: Wadi Rum, Aqaba & Jerash

Wed, April 6th - 503 Equitrekking Uruguay

Sunday, April 10th - 504 Equitrekking Jordan: Petra, Royal Stables & Dead Sea

Wed, April 13th - 505 Equitrekking Turkey's Coast, Cappadocia & Istanbul

Sunday, April 17th - 506 Equitrekking Great American Ranches

Wed, April 20th - 507 Equitrekking Great National Parks

Sunday, April 24th- 508 Equitrekking Vermont

Wed, April 27th - 509 Equitrekking Carolinas

Saturday April 30th (special broadcasts of 503 Equitrekking Uruguay) 11:30am, 5:30pm, 11:30pm

Sun, May 1st - 510 Equitrekking Georgia Coast

Over the course of its first year, travelers rode with inspiring local guides in Costa Rica, Ireland, Spain, Hawaii, New Mexico, Alberta, and Wales and enjoyed EquitrekkingTravel.com’s exclusive experiences including the Jordan Bedouin Trek & Classic Tour, Maui and the Big Island equestrian vacations, the Irish Medieval Trek, Turkey: Cappadocia with Istanbul and more. Equitrekking reaches 94% of the U.S. on PBS and broadcasts on international networks in over 65 countries, taking viewers on global travel adventures to experience culture, cuisine, history and adventure. The series has been honored with three Daytime Emmy nominations and one win for its stunning photography.

Taking full advantage of her new dream job, Snyder had a busy year scouting trips in Europe, Central America and the United States. Most notably, Newman and Snyder took a whirlwind trip through Ireland to experience equestrian vacations throughout the country.

“With Equitrekking Travel, our goal was to provide diverse travel experiences that include riding as well as additional active and cultural adventures,” said Newman. “Julie’s twenty-years of experience as an active travel agent and her affiliation with Virtuoso mean that she can not only book travelers on Equitrekking Travel vacations, but use her knowledge and network to send them on additional excursions, like a recent family’s horse riding, biking and cruising adventure in Turkey.”

In addition to being featured in USA Today, Detroit Free Press, the Calgary Herald and Martha Stewart Radio, EquitrekkingTravel.com and Snyder have earned high praise from travelers. Snyder’s customer service and personal expertise in matching travelers with the appropriate trip, something of utmost importance for equestrian vacations in particular, has been an important asset for the new business enterprise.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the immediate success of Equitrekking Travel”, said Snyder, who has seen bookings increase exponentially in the first year, turning a two-fold profit in the first quarter alone. Equitrekking Travel’s growth is on target to make it the largest provider of equestrian vacations by volume.

EquitrekkingTravel.com’s innovative website has also been key to the team’s success. Travelers like the detailed information, professional quality high definition video of many of the destinations filmed by Equitrekking’s Emmy winning producers, informational travel blogs, photo galleries and extensive first-hand information and trip details.

With an already popular TV series, Newman continues to spread the word out about EquitrekkingTravel.com’s quality vacations and her personal passion for eco-friendly horseback riding exploration, working to serve a growing niche community of equestrian enthusiasts and their families well into the coming years.

For more information, visit EquitrekkingTravel.com's media section or contact us.
 

Darley and local guides discover the best of each destination’s culture, cuisine, history and adventures as they ride horses, hike, snorkel, and sightsee in stunning landscapes. Equitrekking broadcasts to 94% of the U.S. on PBS and international networks in over 65 countries. The fifth season of Equitrekking includes thirteen half hour, high definition episodes including: Uruguay, Alberta, Turkey’s Coast, Cappadocia & Istanbul, Jordan: Wadi Rum, Aqaba & Jerash, Great National Parks, Great American Ranches, Jordan: Petra, Royal Stables & Dead Sea, the Carolinas, Vermont, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Highlights of the new season include a visit to South America, where viewers experience eco-friendly estancias and the popular coastal cities of Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. On Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean Coast, otherwise known as the Turquoise Rivera, Darley hikes the chilly waters of Saklikent Gorge and horseback rides through the abandoned Greek city of Kayaköy, before discovering colorful spice markets and palaces in Istanbul and ancient villages in Cappadocia. Alberta brings viewers on two different pack trips into Banff National Park and Kananaskis, riding to high altitudes and camping in the Canadian Rockies. Viewers then travel to a historic ranch in the foothills of the Rockies and into Calgary for the fast-paced Calgary Stampede.

“This season of Equitrekking is our most diverse yet. From riding with the Bedouin in the Middle East and the gauchos in Uruguay to visiting pristine national parks in the USA, we cover the globe and introduce viewers to the world’s most exotic and accessible destinations,” said Darley. 

On a two-episode journey through the Middle Eastern country of Jordan, Darley rides strong Arabian horses with the Bedouin in the spectacular Wadi Rum Desert, explores magical Petra and Dana Village on horseback, hikes Jordan’s version of the Grand Canyon, and floats in the Dead Sea. In the well-preserved Roman city of Jerash, Darley tries NASCAR’s ancient counterpart, dressing in Roman garb and hopping a ride on a horse drawn chariot. To gain insight into the history and characteristics of the Arabian breed, Equitrekking gains exclusive access to the Royal Stables, where Darley interviews HRH Princess Alia.

Equitrekking Great National Parks takes a closer look at some of the remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and adventures in America’s National Parks. Parks profiled include Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef in Utah, the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, Kenai Fjords in Alaska, Haleakala National Park on Maui, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island, Cumberland Island in Georgia and Yellowstone in Wyoming. Equitrekking Great American Ranches, delves into the history, culture and scenery of historic ranches in Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Alberta, Texas, Maui and the Big Island.
 

View full episode descriptions.

Embed Equitrekking's season five promo from YouTube.

Learn more about watching Equitrekking on PBS.

Equitrekking is broadcast on international networks in over 30 countries including the United States, France, Italy, Russia, and Turkey. This is Equitrekking’s first sale in Asia. APT Worldwide, a leading source for U.S. Public Television programming in the international market, made the sale. The deal was brokered by the Tuttle-Mori Agency. Tabi Channel is part of the Japan Entertainment Network (JEN), a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS). TBS Inc, a Time Warner Company, is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.


The Equitrekking series follows host Darley Newman as she travels the world riding horses with local people to get an in-depth, eco-friendly look at a destination’s natural surroundings, culture and history. The tight-knit Equitrekking crew travels to destinations that are challenging to film on horseback, like the crater of a volcano on Maui, high altitudes in the Canadian Rockies, the jungles of Belize and the backcountry of snowy Quebec.

“I am excited that viewers in Japan will be able to experience the wonderful and unique adventures with the interesting locals we’ve met as we’ve filmed around the world,” said Darley. “We continually strive to produce a beautiful travel series that sheds light on the world’s diverse cultures through our insider’s interactions with local people, granting viewers a truly special way to get off the beaten path and see the world.”

The crew is currently in post production on a fifth season with episodes from Jordan, Turkey, Alberta, Uruguay and specials on Great Ranches and National Parks. Host Darley Newman and executive producer Chip Ward have recently been nominated for  Equitrekking for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Series for the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In September 2009, Equitrekking was honored with a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Photography and was also nominated in the Outstanding Special Class Series category alongside the popular MTV series True Life and Made. Last month, Equitrekking was awarded First Place for Best Travel Broadcast in the North American Travel Journalist Awards Competition for the second year running.

Learn more at Equitrekking.com and learn how to watch Equitrekking in Japan on the Tabi Channel’s Equitrekking page. (Rough Google English translation of Equitrekking on Tabi Channel website)

About Equitrekking and Darley Newman

Equitrekking is the Emmy Award-Winning PBS equestrian travel series that takes viewers on global horseback riding and travel adventures. Hosted by travel expert and journalist Darley Newman, Equitrekking broadcasts in high definition on PBS in North America and on international networks in over 30 countries Italy, Turkey, France, Japan, and Russia. Equitrekking’s current 26 half hour episodes feature Belize, Costa Rica, Southern Quebec, Vermont, the Carolinas, the Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado, Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country, California Wine Country, Alaska, Wales, Scotland, Southern Spain, Quebec City & Beyond and Central Turkey. The crew is currently producing a new season in Uruguay, Alberta, Turkey, Jordan and beyond. The show’s companion website, Equitrekking.com, is a one-stop site for equestrian travel featuring video clips, the Equitrekking Travel Guide, expert tips, travel articles, Darley’s blog, photos and a monthly e-newsletter. Darley is also the founder of Equitrekking Travel at www.EquitrekkingTravel.com, featuring exceptional equestrian vacations led by many of the local guides seen on the Equitrekking TV show on Public Television.

Equitrekking was awarded a Daytime Emmy in 2009 for Outstanding Single Camera Photography and nominated for Outstanding Special Class Series. The North American Travel Journalist Association awarded Equitrekking Best Travel Broadcast for 2008 and 2009. Equitrekking’s companion book Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback, published by Chronicle Books and written by Darley Newman, received the Merit Award for Best Travel Book 2008 from the North American Travel Journalist Association. In addition to Equitrekking, Darley writes for Practical Horseman and True West magazines, Equisearch.com and speaks frequently at events. Darley and Equitrekking have been featured in the Washington Post, Ralph Lauren magazine, New York Times, USA Today and the book How’d You Score That Gig, a look at the coolest careers for twenty and thirty-something’s, published by Ballantine Books/Random House. Visit www.equitrekking.com

Equitrekking, the PBS travel series hosted and produced by Darley Newman with executive producer Chip Ward, has been honored with a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Class Series for the 37th annual Daytime Emmys.

The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) today announced that Darley Newman, host and producer of the Emmy winning PBS travel series EQUITREKKING, has been selected as the First Place Prize Winner for Best Travel Broadcast in the 2009 North American Travel Journalist Awards Competition. This is the second consecutive win for the EQUITREKKING series.

The competition, now in its 18th year, recognizes excellence in travel writing, photojournalism, multimedia platforms, advertising, marketing and public relations for the travel and tourism industry. This year NATJA received more than 500 submissions from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. EQUITREKKING was among a list of prestigious First Place Winners, including National Geographic Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Women's Adventure magazine and Virtuoso Life.

“Choosing winners was difficult in this year’s competition because we received so many creative and well-executed entries in all of the categories,” says Helen Hernandez, CEO of NATJA.

The EQUITREKKING travel television series currently broadcasts 26 high definition episodes on PBS and on international networks in over 30 countries. Host Darley Newman takes viewers on global horseback riding adventures to experience history, adventure and culture from a local’s perspective. In September 2009, EQUITREKKING was honored with a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Photography. EQUITREKKING was also nominated in the Outstanding Special Class Series category alongside the popular, longtime MTV series True Life and Made.

 “I am proud that EQUITREKKING has been recognized as Best Travel Broadcast in this year’s NATJA competition,” said Darley. “We continually strive to produce a beautiful travel series that sheds light on the world’s diverse cultures through our insider’s interactions with local people, granting viewers a truly special way to see the world.”

The crew is currently filming for a fifth season in Jordan, Turkey, Alberta, Uruguay and beyond. Besides the series’ companion book, Equitrekking: Travel Adventures on Horseback and website at Equitrekking.com, the crew recently launched EquitrekkingTravel.com, featuring exceptional equestrian vacations seen on the TV series. Now, viewers can ride in U.S. and international locales with the same locals who’ve starred on EQUITREKKING, and more great destinations will be added in the coming weeks.

Learn more about EQUITREKKING at www.equitrekking.com, Equitrekking Travel at www.equitrekkingtravel.com and purchase DVDs at www.shopdarley.com

About EQUITREKKING and Darley Newman

EQUITREKKING is the Emmy Award-Winning PBS equestrian travel series that takes viewers on global horseback riding and travel adventures. Hosted by equestrian travel expert and journalist Darley Newman, EQUITREKKING broadcasts in high definition on PBS in North America and on international networks in Italy, Turkey, France, Japan, Russia and beyond. EQUITREKKING’s current 26 half hour episodes feature Belize, Costa Rica, Southern Quebec, Vermont, the Carolinas, the Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado, Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country, California Wine Country, Alaska, Wales, Scotland, Southern Spain, Quebec City & Beyond and Central Turkey. The crew is currently producing a new season in Uruguay, Alberta, Turkey, Jordan and beyond. The show’s companion website, Equitrekking.com, is a one-stop site for equestrian travel featuring video clips, the Equitrekking Travel Guide, expert tips, travel articles, Darley’s blog, photos and a monthly e-newsletter. Darley is also the founder of Equitrekking Travel at www.EquitrekkingTravel.com, featuring exceptional equestrian vacations led by the local guides seen on the EQUITREKKING series on Public Television.

EQUITREKKING was awarded a Daytime Emmy in 2009 for Outstanding Single Camera Photography and nominated for Outstanding Special Class Series. The North American Travel Journalist Association awarded EQUITREKKING Best Travel Broadcast for 2008. EQUITREKKING’s companion book Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback, published by Chronicle Books and written by Darley Newman, received the Merit Award for Best Travel Book 2008 from the North American Travel Journalist Association (NATJA). In addition to EQUITREKKING, Darley writes for Practical Horseman and True West magazines, Equisearch.com and speaks frequently at events. Darley and EQUITREKKING have been featured in the Washington Post, Ralph Lauren magazine, New York Times, and the book How’d You Score That Gig, a look at the coolest careers for twenty and thirty-something’s, published by Ballantine Books/Random House.

 

Equitrekking, the Emmy Award-Winning Public TV series that is broadcast to tens of millions of viewers on PBS and international networks, announces the launch of Equitrekking Travel.  This new enterprise will allow individuals and groups to enjoy in person the horse riding vacations they could previously only see on the popular Equitrekking television series. The riding vacations will take place at featured locations and many will be led by the same guides who have appeared on Equitrekking's programs.

The Equitrekking series is the first televised travel series to explore the world on horseback. Host Darley Newman travels off the beaten path, riding horses with local people to get an in-depth look at an area's natural surroundings, culture and history. Viewers, after watching these riding vacations in televised form during the last four seasons, have repeatedly asked how and where they might have the same equestrian experience. Thus, Darley decided to launch Equitrekking Travel as a forum through which viewers and their friends can also enjoy Darley's favorite equestrian trips, vacations that include horse riding with local guides as well as other activities featured on Equitrekking.

As Darley has often said, "when you explore a place on horseback, you ride with local people who can show you the best of their area. This is my favorite way to travel.  I learn tons of things that aren't found in any guidebook."  

Now viewers of Equitrekking who have dreamed of riding horses in locations where Equitrekking has gone will be able to actually experience what they have seen on the show. Darley has handpicked the sites that have been selected so far for Equitrekking Travel, because they offer accessible vacations that accommodate travelers with varying budgets and riding skills, including beginners and their non-riding companions. Horseback riding is an exciting, eco-friendly way to see the world and traveling with a local guide makes these journeys very special.

Riders may participate in unique adventures like riding with the Bedouin in the desert in Jordan, cattle round-ups at a working ranch in New Mexico, cross country training in Ireland, a pack trip in the Canadian Rockies or Alaska, natural horsemanship at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, castles and stud farms in Wales, trail riding America’s National Parks in Utah and more. These new travel offerings include visiting magical Petra, exclusive access to Jordan’s Royal Stables, sightseeing in bustling Istanbul, fly-fishing in Wyoming, golf at Mount Juliet and castle tours in Ireland and Wales.

“I, like many Americans, own a small business, have family obligations and work a lot, so I know how important it is to have a good vacation when you have limited time,” said Darley.  “I really worked to include riding vacations that encompass diverse, full travel experiences and allow those who wish it, some respite from the trappings of modern life. Some trips include city stops in Montevideo or Amman, so if you travel all the way to Uruguay or Jordan, you can ride at an estancia with working gauchos or in the desert with the Bedouin, as well as visit the major sights. On some of my chosen wilderness and ranch adventures, you can leave your cell phone behind -- because it won’t work anyway -- and so really get away from it all for a few days or a week.”


The original, first-hand travel blogs, photographs and video from the best of the 35 Equitrekking episodes on EquitrekkingTravel.com, along with in-depth trip itineraries allow travelers to learn about where they are going before they get there. A Trip Finder and Best Picks section make searches for vacations based on adventure type and location even easier. 


Trips featured on EquitrekkingTravel.com can be booked by Equitrekking Travel’s preferred provider of travel services, Julie Snyder.  Julie is an award winning "Virtuoso Travel Agent" as well as an experienced, enthusiastic equestrian.  Julie can arrange all aspects of the vacation, including airfare, rental car, additional vacation days in cities and activities for companions who do not ride.

“I’ve been specializing in active travel for over twenty years and know the importance of personalized customer service,” said Julie. “I’ll use my experience as a travel agent and equestrian to match each individual or group with a vacation to suite their budget, skills and dreams.”

Continually updated, the Equitrekking Travel Deals page features Last Minute Deals on equestrian vacations, Special Events that include access to high profile equestrian competitions at Spruce Meadows and the annual Calgary Stampede. EquitrekkingTravel.com Deal’s also feature Special Departures to train with an Olympic Dressage Rider in Spain or ride America’s National Parks in Utah. The Best Picks section of the website further categorizes trips to help visitors narrow their search. The Equitrekking monthly newsletter features these special deals, along with travel articles and vacation updates. Darley’s Blog on EquitrekkingTravel.com highlights helpful tips on how to pack and prepare for an equestrian vacation, based on Darley’s expertise in riding the world.

Darley Newman, host of the Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking TV series on PBS, will be speaking to audiences and showing stunning high definition video from her adventures traveling the world on horseback at the upcoming Equine Affaire exposition in Pomona, California February 4-7th.

In California, Darley is scheduled to speak on February 4th at 1:00 pm on "Fun & Insightful Equestrian Destinations," Friday, Feb 5th at 10:00 am on "The Importance of Horses in International Cultures," and 5:00 pm on "Exploring the World on Horseback." Equine Affaire is a premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering featuring World and National Champion competitors, clinics from top trainers and equestrian experts, and live demonstrations and seminars.

“Riding native breeds in exotic Jordan, Iceland, Ireland, Wales and right here in the United States in Kentucky, Wyoming and beyond has helped me gain insight into the history, culture and geology of each destination and allowed me to get to pristine natural settings and ancient villages untouched by development and modern times,” said Darley. “I’m continually delighted by the bond that horses and humans share. It’s this bond that brings me as a traveler closer to local people around the world.”

During her first two presentations, Darley will be showing high definition video filmed around the world to demonstrate her topics, including never before seen footage from new Equitrekking episodes set to debut on PBS spring of 2010. Attendees can expect to see dramatic HD footage of horse travels and breeds from around the world including Iceland, Ireland, Hawaii, Wyoming, Alberta, Uruguay, Jordan, Spain, Wales, Texas, Costa Rica and more.

While filming Equitrekking, Darley constantly encounters challenging places to explore on horseback, like the crater of a volcano on Maui, the backcountry in snowy Quebec, the varied terrain along the U.S. Mexico border, Jordan's desert with the Bedouin and the rainforest in Belize. She’s ridden championship-cutting horses in Colorado, award winning Andalusians in Spain, Quarter horses throughout the American West and Arabians in the Middle East. With Equitrekking, Darley combines her passion for horses and travel with her background in television production. Darley has worked at 48 Hours, CBS, the WB, The Talk Radio News Service and on various PBS documentaries and series.

Learn more about Equitrekking on PBS, equestrian vacations at Equitrekking Travel and the Equine Affaire.
 

September 1, 2009 –Equitrekking, the Public Television travel series, has been honored with a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Camera Photography. Darley Newman, Equitrekking’s host and producer, Chip Ward, Executive Producer, and Gregory Barna, Director of Photography, were honored with the Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards Black Tie Ceremony in Los Angeles this past weekend.

Equitrekking was also honored with a nomination for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Series. Alex Trebek, one of the hosts for the event, gathered with other celebrities including Susan Flannery, star of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” celebrity chef Ming Tsai, Nancy Cartwright of “The Simpsons,” talk show host Wendy Williams, members the cast of “Sesame Street” and television industry veterans to present the Daytime Emmy awards.

Shot in high definition with travel expert Darley Newman, the Equitrekking series travels off the beaten path, riding horses with local people to get an in-depth, eco-friendly look at a destination’s natural surroundings and history. Equitrekking is broadcast on international networks, in addition to its broadcasts on PBS stations and the Create Channel in North America.

“We are honored to be recognized alongside such wonderful, longtime television series and TV industry veterans at the Daytime Emmys in L.A. It was my dream to create and produce Equitrekking, so winning the Emmy is amazing,” said Darley. “It is quite a feat to win an Emmy, but even more so for Equitrekking, as we only have three people in our crew! We call ourselves small, but mighty.”

Husband and wife team and young entrepreneurs Darley and Chip have built the series from the ground up, using their complementary skill sets and passions to creatively promote and produce each episode through online video and the Equitrekking.com website. The crew travels to Jordan and Turkey next, where they’ll film at Petra, the Dead Sea, Jordan’s deserts, Cappadocia’s ancient villages and beyond. The crew recently filmed its 28th episode in Alberta and Uruguay.

“I’m elated.  This is a great honor, and I couldn’t be more proud of my team.  We’ve got the smallest, hardest working group in the industry, and I’m happy be here with them in celebration,” said Chip.

“Honestly, it’s still kind of sinking in,” said Greg. “I am so honored that the Academy felt that Equitrekking is worthy of an Emmy. It’s just the three of us out there doing this show. It’s a close knit team, which makes the win even more sweet.”

PBS station schedules and more information are available on Equitrekking.com.