Riding school in Oxfordshire?

[SHayward]

I am just about to take the plunge and book my first ever riding lesson (I am 29) and would be interested to hear whether anyone can recommend a good riding school in north Oxfordshire, preferably near Chipping Norton.

I have searched the riding school section but there are no listings for Oxfordshire.

Thanks for your help!

[Mike]

Unfortunately, we haven't 'done' Oxfordshire yet. We are working our way around the country and I've just loaded another 30+ schools for Northern Ireland. Scotland is being collated at the moment as well as the south west.

If any of our readers visit a school that we haven't got listed yet or we've only got basic details for do ask them if they'd like to be included or have more details. You can email me their address and I'll send out the forms or they can enter details online by visiting the schools section on the Horse and Rider Site (http://www.horseandridersite.co.uk).

[Kerry's Partner!!]

I live in Oxfordshire but not in your area but I hope this helps anyway. Oxford Equestrian Centre (Nick Brake and Chris Akkerman) is good but a long way from you. Checkendon is even further but, for your first lessons I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It is where my horse is at livery and where both she and I am taught exceedingly well. If you have your first lessons on a weekend I would spare you some time myself - introducing you to my horse and the yard etc. if the extra bit of time would make up for your journey. Whatever you decide good luck.

[Jus]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this board and I think it definitly has the best discusion boards , I find it really interesting the differences in horsemanship around the world.

I am sorry but I can't help with the riding school although I haven't actually been there myself , I live a couple of miles away from Checkendon (the place Sandra mentioned) and I have heard it has a really good reputation. It certainly looks like a nice place when I have driven past.
I am not sure but I think the private lesson are about £25 and cheaper if you are in a group.

I am 29yrs and I also have my own horse who is only 4yrs and just recovering from an operation on his leg so I can't help you with the riding but if you are down this way and would like to visit the yard there is always loads of grooming , walking out,feeding , nursing etc going on.

It would be realy nice to here from anyone local as I haven't lived here very long and don't know many horsey people here.

regards

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Jus, WELCOME. If you scan all the main headings on the board you'll get an idea of "where I'm at" - apart from Checkendon that is. If you want to get in touch please do 01235 813037 (Mike/Sarah) I don't know if this is allowed!!

[Jus]

Hi Sandra,

I will definitly give you a call although it won't be this week as I am working night's and nursiing a sick horse during the day so the 3 or 4 hours I do get at home are spent asleep !!

Do you have an email address ? Mine is justinebordoli@hotmail.com

Regards

Jus

PS There are a couple of us at my yard thinking about moving our horses somewhere else preferable a small yard we can share or maybe another livery yard. What is it like at Checkendon, cost etc ? and do you know of any other stable 's and /or land for rent in our area ?

[Kerry's Partner!!]

Jus, as you know I've mentioned before Checkendon is just right both for Kerry and for me. Whilst there is calm, order and routine, Kerry is cared for as an individual (horse) and I have to say that I am too (despite needing never ending patience and more careful handling than the horse!!!). The yard and teaching facilities are excellent for horse and rider and you can hack for miles (or hours). Since I am a beginner in all respects (despite the riding I did as a child), the best I can do is put you in touch with Linda (my instructor and the manager). Her e-mail address is linda@checkendon.f9.co.uk

Please do 'phone anyway when you've finished nights. Hope your horse is responding well to your nursing.

[Cath H]

Hi Sandra

I am 30 (31 in April) and am planning to start riding in April. Please let me know if you received any good advice as to where to start riding. I had a couple of lesson when I was a teenager, but not enough to say that I am even a novice. I will have to start from scratch.

I take my twin daughters who are three and a half to my mothers every other week in Wales and they go riding there. It is much cheaper, plus the instructor does not mind the fact that they are very young. They have plenty of small ponies there especially for children and it is BHS approved. They have been 10 times now and absolutely love it. They are learning to rise in trot at the moment and do all their exercises really well. I think once you are hooked whether you are a child or an adult then thats it! I must admit watching them lately has made me feel like learning to ride even more and have now decided to start riding myself. It is something I know we can do together as a family when they are older.

I do feel a bit nervous about it though, as someone else said, you are surrounded by younger children who are so good at it, which makes you feel old!

I wonder if there are any places in Oxfordshire who would teach adults in the day time and who would also be willing to teach me how to look after a horse, etc. (I would love my girls to have their own horse when they are about 8 or 9). Or, is there a good riding holiday that anyone would recommend. I recall a long time ago a place that did a Horse Owners Certificate for Beginners, but can't remember where this was. Any ideas or advice would be gratefully received.

Cath

[LouiseS]

I hate to show my ignorance (I have lived in Berks/Oxon all my life) but where is Checkenden? And where are all the other Oxfordshire people - anyone near me - I live in Wantage.

Louise

[Kerry's Partner!!]

(LouiseS) Checkendon is off the main road which runs from Wallingford to Reading. If you're coming on Monday I'll tell you all about it then.

(Searching for a school which would teach adults during the day.)I'm not an expert on Oxfordshire/Berkshire riding schools - I can just recommend those I've had benefit from really. Oxford Equestrian Centre at Garsington is fine as I've said above. I'd also, obviously, recommend Checkendon but it depends on where in Oxfordshire people are travelling from.

[LouiseS]

Hi Sandra

Yes - should be there on Monday. I knew the name but couldn't place where it was - I don't know the other side of Wallingford that well.

Louise

[Helene]

HI folks!
I am a student at Oxford Uni and I am currently in my first year. I have been very lazy about finding somewhere to go horseriding, but I would really like to continue my hobby which I had to give up a few years back due to financial reasons (I am German and I wanted to come to Britain to do my A-levels and go to uni after that so I had to save up).
Well, I wanted to know whether anyone could suggest a place or whether anyone has got a horse he or she would like some help with as I love caring for horses which I had to do when I did some work in my local stable in Germany.
Hope to hear from you soon.