Riding in London for a beginner

[susiep2323]

Originally Posted by lcs

skib - i wanting to learn/re learn how to ride? Do you know if the 'Blazing Saddles' group is geared towards all types of adult riders? It looked like the sort of thing I was after on the website (1 hr lesson, then 15mins stable management afterwards)

Just a general question - do you think I would be better off in a group or having a private lesson? I am inclined to think private would be the best way to go to get the basics sorted but I also want to gain socially from this...

B saddles is for any one (female sorry lads)- some rode as kids then had long gaps some have never ridden at all til they joined - they would usuallly teach you on your own for at least the first lesson if you had litttle or no experience, and it is great socially too - there is only so much your bloke wants to know about fetlocks and forelocks mine anyway!

[susiep2323]

Originally Posted by Purplehorse

I haven't been to any of these, but I always think Trent Park looks AMAZING!! Their website is really good and shows you pictures of the horses.

There is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen on there, called Gorgeous (but she is privately owned)

.

She is very soppy too and loves licking your hands

[Purplehorse]

Ooh SusieP I think she is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! I'm in love with her from the website - but that's lovely to hear she is soppy too and likes licking your hands!!

Lucky you - do you ride her? What is she like?

(I work in London but live and ride outside London, so I don't really have any reason to go to Trent Park unfortunately, which is a great shame as I would love to meet Gorgeous!!!)

[Afellpony]

Hi Ics. I just commute to London daily to work but I live in East Sussex. I keep my pony not far from where I live.

[lcs]

Hello

That is very helpful to know - thank you. The Blazing Saddles sounds as though it would be suitable for me particularly because I want to gain socially from this. I also like the fact that there is some stable management at the end. I think I will look into starting in September when the kids are back at school because I wouldn't feel happy about going straight on a hack.

I am really looking forward to it now - last time I tried to take up riding again I had a miserable time!

[Mina]

Hi there,

I've ridden at Wimbledon Village Stables and I highly recommend them; they are really friendly, knowledgeable, and have lovely horses. The only down side is it can be rather difficult to get a lesson or hack at the weekend unless you are a member. Their website has details of membership, and they do some terrific looking courses including horse care.

I re-started riding last year, and had lessons at Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre until recently (the website is http://raq8.uk2.net/ ). It is about a 20 minute walk from Newbury Park tube station (Central Line), and I found the quality of their teaching very professional, they have a nice range of horses, and it is more reasonably priced than a lot of places in London. However, they don't offer hacking.

Good Luck, I'm sure you'll have fun whereever you ride!

[digitalangel]

i would not recommend trent park, sorry

wimbledon is good though!

[CrisO]

I used to ride at Trent park until I started sharing. They also do courses for the BHS stages which you might want to consider as it is riding and stable management. Stage 1 is for beginners and it is quite sociable as there is a bar there and the people doing the course often went for a drink after.

[lcs]

Hello! I must confess that I have had quite a hectic time recently and so have not yet found the time to have a look round anywhere just yet, apart from Westway and that was only by chance. Somebody mentioned to me about Kentish Town City Farm which is just up the road from me, so I am hoping to go along there next week. I am also going to look at Trent Park (although perhaps digitalangel would be kind enough to pm with her opinions!) and Aldborough Hall.
I did have a look at Westway (was passing through the area and had a spare minutes) but not sure if that is going to be suitable as it was too noisy. I have problems with my hearing in one ear and think I would find it hard to catch what the instructor is saying!
I haven't logged on for a long time because of all my problems at my end but hopefully when I do find somewhere I shall tell you all about it as you have all been so helpful and friendly!!

[xhex]

Hi there!

I thought I might throw in my two (pence? ) as no one has mentioned Littlebourne Equestrian Centre, where I ride regularly (very friendly, lovely atmosphere, clean, gorgeous horses and ponies.. multiple arenas etc).

Westway Stables.. I'm sorry I have very strong opinions angainst this riding school for various reasons, but will shorten them down to mainly: it is situated in the middle of a (excuse my French) sh**hole, scrap yard beside it, noisy as it's under a flyover, no greenery or fields or..anything! It is tiny, they do not have many horses and/or stables, only one small arena and for some reason were never welcoming or sociable people.

There is a great little place in Stanmore (NW London) although this one is very much hidden away and not very well known (this is also a very good thing, nice little business, friendly and down to earth, relaxed atmosphere and is almost a little 'gem of a secret', so to speak). It's best to get to via car, otherwise the best option would be to travel via minicab (office right outside of Stanmore station) 7 minutes drive away from station for a few pounds.

I have not tried Ealing as I rang up to ask about hacking and they pretty much explained that they have nothing there at all or nowhere to go. This put me off from my previous experience with Westway.

I am also searching for some fantastic places around London to just simply go on hacks with .. I am very very happy currently riding at both Stanmore and Littlebourne but am curious to find some gorgeous woods/trails where other schools organise rides out etc..

[Lou-lou]

Another recommendation for Kingston Riding Centre. I took up riding as an adult (late 20s) there and it really got me hooked. I had private lessons but I believe there are adult groups you can go in to once if you prefer. They've got a good range of well cared for horses and great instructors. It gets very busy at weekends though so make sure you book well in advance. And make sure you request the same instructor each time (I got swapped about a bit too much unless I made a point of doing this). Oh, and you can go hacking in Richmond Park from there too - a big bonus. If you want to know any more please feel free to PM me.

If you are fairly mobile I would recommend getting out of London for your lessons. Now I've moved out of the capital I'm enjoying my riding even more - schools are less hectic and about half the price!

[FancY_FriesiaN]

I dont live in the London area so I know nothing about the list you have.

But if you really want to learn more about taking care of horses maybe you should volunteer!

[happymom]

I love Blazing Saddles! It is fab for all levels. I started after a 20 yr break and a year later am in the advanced group. The social side is great fun.

[Skib]

This is a very old thread. From two years ago and the poster found a private arrangement to ride.

[karin_]

Originally Posted by xhex

There is a great little place in Stanmore (NW London) although this one is very much hidden away and not very well known (this is also a very good thing, nice little business, friendly and down to earth, relaxed atmosphere and is almost a little 'gem of a secret', so to speak). It's best to get to via car, otherwise the best option would be to travel via minicab (office right outside of Stanmore station) 7 minutes drive away from station for a few pounds.

Hi

I have been looking for a riding school near NW London (Golders Green/Temple Fortune) and visited yet LEC and Littlebourne.
Both seem to be nice stables, but how you are describing this place in Stanmore has made me quite curious and I would like to have a look at it as well.

Is this the school you are talking about: Grove Farm, Warren Lane, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 4LE?

[Whatanejit]

Hi Karin,

xhex hasn't been on the forum since Jan 2008 so you may not hear from her.

Someone else may be able to help you though.

Welcome to NR

[OldandNew]

I ride at Wimbledon Village and am happy to post publicly as I don't have anything negative to say. The stables are immaculate, the horses are happy and well-behaved and the tuition is excellent. All lessons are hacks out on the common or in the schooling ring on the common (there's no indoor school). Slight downside is that lessons are very expensive and can only be taken on weekdays. To ride at weekends you have to be a "gold" member and have attained a certain level of proficiency - there's also a waiting-list to become a gold member.

I've recently done their stable management course (which was over 10 weeks and in the evenings) and loved every minute of it. It's BHS Stage 1 - but I didn't do the exam, I just wanted the experience of grooming, tacking up etc.

They're about to do some "open days" (details on their website) whereby people can just go along and look around and talk to the staff, with no obligation to book any lessons.

I've been riding there for 2 years (I started late in life at the age of 60!) and I love it!!!

[lcs]

OldandNew

Thanks for the positive vote for WVS - my private arrangement for riding is no longer an option now (as referred to by Skib - this thread is very old!) I'm looking at Ridgway or WVS and was wondering if you have also tried Ridgway for lessons?

PM me if you would prefer!