When Abby Stankiewicz turned 10, she received riding lessons at a small equestrian center in her hometown of Cincinnati. That gift changed her life.

"The first time I got on a horse, I was hooked," said the 24-year-old Wahiawa resident, who has trained with Olympic equestrians. "Riding was fun, thrilling and challenging. Every time I dismounted, I couldn’t wait to get back in the saddle again."

During the ensuing years, Stankiewicz honed her skills and earned money feeding horses, cleaning stalls and doing other chores at nearby barns. With her parents’ help, she was able to buy her first horse when she was a high school sophomore.

"My friends and I played hide-and-seek on horseback on 90 acres of wooded fields," she said. "Before thunderstorms hit, we rode horses bareback from the fields to the safety of the barn. We spent many nights camping in front of our horses’ stalls at shows all around Ohio. We dedicated countless hours to making that magical step from just riding a horse to really communicating with it."

As a guide at Hawaii Polo Oceanfront Trail Rides, Stankiewicz enjoys helping guests get a taste of that special relationship. "For some people it’s their first time on a horse, so they’re excited but nervous," she said. "Watching them go from feeling uncertain to being confident that they can control a 1,000-pound animal is so rewarding."

Among Stankiewicz’s favorite trail horses is Ike, whom she describes as the "go-to guy" for people who are particularly anxious about riding. "He’s part draft horse, so he looks really strong and bulky, but he’s one of the kindest, gentlest, most levelheaded horses I’ve ever known," she said. "He couldn’t hurt a fly if he swatted it with his tail."

IKE and the eight other horses used for the rides are all polo ponies that are rotated in and out of the trail string to keep them fresh and attentive.

"A few of them are retired, but most are still active, so during polo season (April through the first weekend in September), you’ll see them playing in Sunday matches," said Devon Dailey, a veteran polo player who’s the general manager of Hawaii Polo Oceanfront Trail Rides. "We also use our horses for polo lessons. They’re fit, responsive and easy to handle because of their polo training. The trail rides are good for them because it gives them a low-impact workout and a break from the fast, strenuous pace of polo."

The trail meanders over part of the 100-acre oceanfront property that’s home to the Hawaii Polo Club. This is the only horseback ride on Oahu that goes on and along a beach (guests are welcome to swim and sunbathe there before or after their ride). Views encompass pristine shoreline; thick stands of ban­yan, ironwood, monkeypod and kiawe trees; and big surf and breaching humpbacks this time of the year.

RIDERS also skirt the Hawaii Polo Club’s expansive playing field. On any given day, even during the offseason, they’ll see players practicing their swings on horseback.

"A leisurely trail ride is something just about everyone can do," Dailey said. "Our ride connects guests to old Hawaii, giving them a chance to bond with amazing animals along the quiet, stunning Moku­leia coast. We make sure to stop at scenic spots on the beach for picture taking so guests can preserve the wonderful memories of their time with us for the rest of their lives."

ROMANCE ON HORSEBACK

The Equus Hotel offers a romance package that includes a private 60- to 90-minute trail ride for two with Hawaii Polo Oceanfront Trail Rides; cocktails for two at the Chart House Waikiki; accommodations in a one-bedroom suite; complimentary high-speed wireless Internet; and two tickets to Hawaii Polo Club matches during polo season.

Rates start at $260 per night based on a minimum three-night stay. For reservations, call 800-669-7719 or visit www.equushotel.com.

OTHER DIVERSIONS

» Old Waialua Sugar Mill. Vendors offer an eclectic assortment of merchandise at the old mill site, 67-106 Kealohanui St.

» Waialua Farmers Market. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the mill.

» Dillingham Airfield. Glider (www.honolulusoaring.com and www.thegliderconnection.com), biplane (www.stearmanbiplanerides.com) and sky diving (www.skydivehawaii.com) adventures depart from here.

» Haleiwa Walking Tour. Ninety-minute tours are offered Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $10. Call 637-4558 for reservations.

» Haleiwa Farmers Market. Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at Waimea Valley, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway.

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Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.