Rhiwiau riding Centre

[nicci1234]

hi
has anyone been to or heard of this one?
I am going on monday and am interested in your views good or bad//
thanks

[Kanuma]

is it in north wales? if so then yes ive heard of it and been there

[nicci1234]

hi
thanks for the reply yes it is in north wales and i will be traverling 2 hours to get there any views??

[kyanya]

We went up (literally - you have to go up and up onto the mountains!) to Rhiwiau to have a look last summer. We were in the area so we thought we'd go and have a look to see if it'd be any good for a holiday (and also because my mum has links with the family who run it, so she went to say hello).

After the 'interesting' journey there (which involved getting stuck next to someone on a narrow lane and almost taking the car down a ditch! :eek:), we got to the yard. It's pretty small really, and well set back from the lanes. It's on the mountains though, and you have to go along a lane, down a hill to get to the outdoor menage from the yard, although it's only a short stretch. It was quite amusing watching the hot, sweaty riders toiling up the hill after working hard in the menage (it was a really hot day when we were there)

It was nice enough - friendly people and nice looking horses. I didn't see a lesson though, but I'd imagine the teaching is good. I'm not sure about the hacking.

The stables felt pretty stuffy though, although it was a very hot day. There's a big block of stables inside, as well as a small stable yard. I also remember there were loads of flies on the yard.

The horses were in with minimal bedding on the floor though, and some were standing on bare concrete. They were all untacked though.

Personally, it's not my cup of tea, but then again I might just be very picky! There was no major thing wrong with it, I just didn't particularly like the overall setup of the place. They did nothing wrong though, it's just a personal opinion.

I'll be interested to here your take on the riding instruction and horses though, because I didn't get to ride /see a lesson.

[Kanuma]

I hate Rhiwiau with avengance, good enough for hacks and complete begginers but not much else! i personaly wouldnt travel the 45mins it takes me to get there!

if you want a good yard in north wales, try Aberconwy for dressage, or TynLLewyn for jumping!

[kyanya]

I've been to both of those Kanuma, and really enjoyed each.

In fact, I'm probably going back to Aberconwy this summer. I think if anyone can sort my awful position out, they can! I had a lovely lunge lesson there before, and I've only ever found 2 places willing to let me have those.

I really think that I could do with a nice horse, a good lunge lesson and a brilliant instructor right now. Sadly, I'lll probably have to wait until the summer when I'm in N. Wales!

[Kanuma]

kyanya, if you have a lesson to sort out your possition ask for Doris! out of the 2 instructors there she is the best, in 3 group lessons my position was 200% better, my seat more stable and my hands better! her horses are wonderful and are what i call proper schoolmasters, you ask correctly and they will do it dont ask correctly and they wont! not your normal rideing school ponies/horses as they not overworked or sour, she takes the xcountry sometimes and no 2 lessons are ever the same, however doris can be rather abrasive at times, she speaks the truth and doesnt tone it down much, she doesnt pander to idiots or people who want praise when none is warrented and will tell you exactly what she thinks of your riding! she is also very good for latteral work and boosting confidence! my sister was scared stiff before she went there, in 2 lessons she had enough confidence to jump
give me a call when you are in the area, we could meet up somewhere and you could meet stan!

[Pickles]

Does this Aberconwy place have a web site that you know of?

[Kanuma]

http://www.aberconwyequestrian.co.uk/
its a wonderful place!

[Kanuma]

ive just had abrowse through it, she has more horses now, im not sure when that was last updated! she has 2 more 15hh ers and i think anouther 16hh one but that may have been there for backing or breaking! she is going to be schooling rian for us next year!

[hoofhearted]

Just wanted to say, am very grateful for this thread as I have been looking for somewhere to go to improve my riding, particularly work on my position and this sounds just like the sort of thing I was looking for. I live in North Wales and although its about a 45min drive to Conwy it sounds as though it would be worth it. So thank you! :)

[Kanuma]

no problems!
ive got nothing but praise for aberconwy as it is a brilliant place, tynllewyn is good if you jump, but they dont do lessons in summer

[nicci1234]

hi
Thought id let you all know how i got on,
it was ok the stables were as someone said in earlier post quite basic!
apparentle they (horses ) are all turned out after there last lesson /hack etc hence the lack of bedding!
Place is pretty untidy though, ride was ok horses were a little dirty but tack was clean
girl that took me out very friendly and let me take it at my pace so got three really good canters (good confidence boost for me )
overall as was said, good for hacks (although i didnt have a lesson so cant comment) took ages to get home though bank holiday traffic think if was better would make the effort but as it is a little too far for me!

[kyanya]

give me a call when you are in the area, we could meet up somewhere and you could meet stan!

You bet! I'd love to meet you and Stan! I can't wait until I get up to Llandudno again now, great riding lessons and meeting a gorgeous Connie :D

I really, really need some lessons with Doris. I need someone to tell me the truth, that's how I've got into the habit of having such an awful position. No-one;s told me how bad it is and that I need to do something about it, so I thought it was OK. It wasn't until I saw photos thjat i realised how terrible my riding is right now. And to top it all, I had a jumping lesson the other day and every time I did a jump all the instrutor could do was praise me. Even when I knew it was terrible she praised me, I felt like shouting at her.

[Kanuma]

just tell me when you are up and you can come and meet the boys!
im home between the 9th and 19th of april, then back at uni for exams, then im back home from 12th MAY onwards!