Where does everyone ride?

[Sue]

Why is it so difficult to find good schools and places to ride? Where does everyone, who isn't lucky enough to have their own horse, go? Or even with their own horse but know that the yard is good.

Everyone says that personal recommendation is the best way to find the good schools. So far I've not been happy with most of the places I've tried, perhaps I'm too picky but I like to feel comfortable and welcome but all too often I haven't felt that way.

The only place I really could recommend is Rhiwiau in North Wales which is brilliant.

[This message has been edited by Sue (edited 29 April 2000).]

[Allie]

I have my own horses, but I take weekly lessons at a saddleseat barn. I found it through a Girl Scout program that was supposed to be an intro to gaited horses (I was the only one there over 10 years of age). They raffled off a free lesson, and I won it. I started taking lessons once a week, the horses are excellent, I've started showing quite successfully, and I'm having a blast! So basically, I found my perfect stable by chance (and it's an hour's drive one way, so it better be perfect!)

Allie

[Shazza]

With regard to finding good riding schools. A riding friend said to me, go and have a half hour lesson at five or six schools in the area, see what the stables are like, check out the people. Especially check out the riding instructor, is he/she the only one instructing you or will there be several, watch he/her take a lesson, how is her attitude to the student rider. Is it the right attitude for you - I have been to three riding stables (friend did not give me this advise until I was complaining that I was not getting anywhere) in the last six months, the first, I got trampled by being told to do things I was not ready to do. The second, I went out on a hack on a nightmare of a horse, I'm a total beginner and this horse, bucked and side stepped and eventually got me off on a canter (which maybe I should not have been doing). My instructor now, is extremely sarcastic, bullies me, but will not let me do anything that I am not ready for - this works for me. Her quote to me last week was "Winners never Quit", "Quitters never Win", so I did do a circuit of the school with my feet out of the stirrups.

So, check out several schools, go to livery yards ask the riders there, where did they learn. Ask at local tack shops - lots have notice boards and the assistants are really friendly. If you are not sure just watch - but ask first some people pay for private tutition and maynot want to be viewed.

[Maisie]

Well, this will DEFINITELY not be of any use to you, because I'm in Singapore. Anyways, my place has only two or three riding places, so it shouldn't be difficult - I've ridden at all of them!

However, I think I find that the best place to ride (for me) is in Malaysia, though! (limited space, you know :) )

[Mike]

Sue

I know what you mean. It's a problem that's faced by all that want to learn to ride. As you've probably found, whether a school is registered by the BHS or ABRS often means little in practice. It's certainly no gaurantee of quality or a friendly welcome. It's a shame it has to be so difficult to find somewhere decent.

For all those in the south west Midlands I can recommend Priors Court in Callow End (just south of Worcester). They have a good range of horses, a surface that's remained rideable despite all the recent rain and very good instruction from Claire.

[Palomino]

Have a look at the British Horse Society and the Association of British Riding Schools websites.
They show the local schools in your area that go through regular check ups to make sure they are of a high standard.
Hope this is of some help.
Palomino.




[This message has been edited by Palomino (edited 30 April 2000).]

[Sue]

Thanks everyone for your replies, however I have done all the things that people are suggesting when trying to find places to go. I was more interested in finding out where people actually ride and why they like riding there. It might help others when they are looking.