“I founded Liberty Trails because I wanted to share the kind of riding experiences that move me most. Fit and forward-going horses that balance spirit with capability. Demanding trails that lift you out of the everyday and challenge you to push further than you thought you could. And deep immersion in the land and its heritage that, for me, lives in its people, their traditions and the stories they share.
For me, the time in the saddle is only part of the experience. The most unforgettable moments often come at day’s end, around the table, sharing reflections, laughter and pride in what we’ve achieved together. Liberty Trails was always meant to be about both: the exhilaration of the ride, and the friendships, conversations and peace that follows.
Liberty Trails began here on Dartmoor, a landscape of granite tors, sweeping skies and ancient tracks. Its untamed expanse, from high open moor to hidden wooded valleys, offers endless possibilities for riding, while its communities hold the history that gives the moor its depth. And alongside all this, it has hospitality to match: distinguished country houses, food rooted in the region, and a peaceful rhythm that has shaped this landscape for centuries.
Our story began with the belief that the best riding experiences are the ones that stay with you long after you dismount. Liberty Trails was created to bring those moments to life, on Dartmoor and beyond.”
– Elaine Prior, Founder
At Liberty Trails, our team is more than a group of guides and hosts – we are a community united by kindness, generosity of spirit, and a deep love for horses, people, and Dartmoor. Together, we make every journey both unforgettable and personal.
Elaine founded Liberty Trails to share the kind of riding she loves most: spirited horses, challenging trails, and moments of connection that last long after the ride.
Having ridden across Africa, the USA and Europe, she knew nowhere compared to her home on Dartmoor. Now Elaine’s encyclopedic knowledge of the moor, from tors and weather to hidden valleys and dining secrets, shapes every journey.
What makes her remarkable is not just her vision, but her energy and attention to every guest, from matching the right horse to the right rider to knowing the perfect track for a gallop. Elaine’s dedication ensures that each experience is exhilarating, restorative and unforgettable.
If Liberty Trails has a heartbeat, it is Bob. He has an uncanny ability to appear at just the right moment, whether with a flask of tea, a celebratory glass of champagne, or his famous “Bob breakfast.”
Known and loved across Dartmoor, he brings warmth, humour and a touch of magic to every ride. Guests often say that seeing Bob on the horizon means comfort, laughter and something delicious to look forward to.
His deep local connections and steady presence ensure that whatever Dartmoor brings, our guests are always in the best of hands.
Born and raised on Dartmoor, Amy grew up racing ponies across the moor and has carried that love of horses into a career that has taken her from Devon to Sweden and Florida.
Working alongside top-level riders, she developed a love of dressage and an instinctive understanding of horse and rider partnership. As a qualified Personal Trainer, she brings fitness and wellbeing into every ride, often leading guests through stretches before and after a day in the saddle.
Her energy is infectious, her knowledge of Dartmoor runs deep, and her blend of equestrian skill and fun-loving spirit leaves guests inspired and at ease.
Michele and her horse Bonnie are the newest part of Liberty Trails, but they already feel like family.
After 30 years in the Devon and Cornwall Police, Michele brings calm authority, care and a passion for service. Her life has always been adventurous, from leading conservation projects in Guyana to running the New York Marathon with the NYPD club.
Living on the edge of the north moor for nearly three decades, she knows Dartmoor inside out, whether on horseback, on foot or with her rare-breed sheep. Guiding with Bonnie at her side, she shares her love of the moor with guests in a way that is both grounding and unforgettable.
Food is at the heart of Nadia’s contribution to Liberty Trails. She believes meals should restore, nourish and delight, especially after hours in the saddle.
Guests remember her safari-style picnics as much as the rides themselves: fresh, generous and full of flavour, enjoyed in some of Dartmoor’s most beautiful spots.
With a love of cooking, baking and the outdoors, she brings warmth and care to every table. Nadia ensures that Liberty Trails hospitality is as memorable as the horses and the landscape, and that every guest feels replenished in both body and spirit.
Our guests tell us that Liberty Trails is more than a ride – it is a story to be lived and retold. If you would like to begin your own chapter, we welcome enquiries from capable riders ready to experience Dartmoor at its finest.
Begin Your Journey© Copyright 2025 Liberty Trails
