Hi all, there is a chance my husband may be posted to work in London later this year. If he goes, I would want to join him and take my two horses. We would live close to his work--Soho/Mayfair area. Are there good dressage livery and training facilities within 20 -30 minutes drive of that part of London? I'd want turnout, indoor/outdoor arenas and solid training for me and the horses. The horses are at 3rd level, one with the potential to go to Grand Prix, but I'm riding at a lower level. If you know of any, let me know. I've only been able to see things out near Surrey (past Heathrow) and that would be quite a long drive to do very often.
Dressage barns in/near London
- Thread starter jduncanm
- Start date
I very much doubt you'll find that sort of facility, particularly with turnout, that close to central London, land is simply too expensive. Try looking on the British Dressage site, even if they don't have livery adverts they do have lists of accredited trainers and if there's local ones they will most likely know what yards are around.
One member on here, @Skib, lives in London and rides regularly in Richmond Park. It's the largest green space near London and only 11 miles from Soho. She might know if there are any livery yards there. However, it would take you at least 45 minutes to drive, because London traffic is very congested. Many people who live in Central London don't have a car at all.
There are many yards out between the M25 and where I live in Surrey, but it would be a longer journey for you and one that might be better done by train and cab. I'm sorry to say that it's certainly not easy to own horses and keep them close to Central London, unless you are his Majesty the King to the Metropolitan Police!
There are many yards out between the M25 and where I live in Surrey, but it would be a longer journey for you and one that might be better done by train and cab. I'm sorry to say that it's certainly not easy to own horses and keep them close to Central London, unless you are his Majesty the King to the Metropolitan Police!
This refers to South London only. You should probably be looking to the north, Epping area. Especially if you want to compete.
There is a livery and dressage yard at Ham House Stables and another at Petersham Farm. I havent up to date info but Petersham Farm used to be adult orientated. Neither yard has an indoor school. The dressage at both is classical, Spanish style. I dont think they compete.
The only indoor school I have ridden in recently was at Chessington, and that was pre Covid. There is a riding school and an attached livery yard with competition horses, and competition instruction but you would need to enquire.
Kingston riding school has moved but it used to have a specialist dressage instructor and liveries who owned dressage horses.
My own less grand dressage lessons were at Stag Lodge on the A3 on a very willing pony. I heard that Stag Lodge now offer livery but I havent been there to enquire. And the owner evented in those days, the dressage being a component of eventing.
In fact I havent had a proper riding lessons for years as I love hacking and have hacked two long term shares, riding on my own which means I dont have riding companions or hear what is going on.
As for driving out from central London, it isnt easy, which is why most people live in the comuter suburbs. Or use public transport to reach their stables.
I have ridden in Hyde Park but I dont know if the yards there take livery horses and they dont have the sort of schools and turn out that you are looking for.
There is a livery and dressage yard at Ham House Stables and another at Petersham Farm. I havent up to date info but Petersham Farm used to be adult orientated. Neither yard has an indoor school. The dressage at both is classical, Spanish style. I dont think they compete.
The only indoor school I have ridden in recently was at Chessington, and that was pre Covid. There is a riding school and an attached livery yard with competition horses, and competition instruction but you would need to enquire.
Kingston riding school has moved but it used to have a specialist dressage instructor and liveries who owned dressage horses.
My own less grand dressage lessons were at Stag Lodge on the A3 on a very willing pony. I heard that Stag Lodge now offer livery but I havent been there to enquire. And the owner evented in those days, the dressage being a component of eventing.
In fact I havent had a proper riding lessons for years as I love hacking and have hacked two long term shares, riding on my own which means I dont have riding companions or hear what is going on.
As for driving out from central London, it isnt easy, which is why most people live in the comuter suburbs. Or use public transport to reach their stables.
I have ridden in Hyde Park but I dont know if the yards there take livery horses and they dont have the sort of schools and turn out that you are looking for.
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I had to answer the phone but I need to add, that a ride in Hyde Park along the historic Rotten Row is a glorious Equestrian tourist experience and well worth doing from one of the RSs to the north of the Park. There is Ross Nye and Hyde Park Stables.
Horses from those yards know the route to the Park gates and it is quite an experience to wait on horseback at a red STOP traffic light alongside a double decker London bus.
Riders or riding schools with a lorry can also take their own horse/horses into the Park and park there but I dont know the parking fees or arrangements for horse lorries. And I feel some rides are best done on horses who know the route.
Horses from those yards know the route to the Park gates and it is quite an experience to wait on horseback at a red STOP traffic light alongside a double decker London bus.
Riders or riding schools with a lorry can also take their own horse/horses into the Park and park there but I dont know the parking fees or arrangements for horse lorries. And I feel some rides are best done on horses who know the route.
What about looking a bit further out. Riding around London is limited at best. Windsor Park is easy to get to via train and the riding there is wonderful. I rode in London for years (at Royal Mews) and around Hyde Park. It was ok at best. The lessons were good, but the outside riding was downright scary (Hyde Park Corner on horseback is nerves of steel time).
I dont know where or when Frances last rode round Hyde Park Corner. The roads are not relevant, There is a wide track within the Park, and a gradual bend. There were noisy mowers at work on the verges last time I rode there so we didnt canter. But we easilly could. I last rode there 8 years ago on our 75th birthday celebration, but as I said, a lorry from our yard went last summer. No drama
And one can ride up Rotten Row without going as far as the corner, if one prefers. I have done the whole circuit once but on the day I rode with my OH we turned back and retraced our steps.
I have walked and watched Polo in Windsor Great Park. It used to cost £20 to take a car into the Park. Maybe more now. I havent ridden in Windsor as I have plenty of choice of hacking yards nearer home.
As for riding at the Royal Mews. The Palace has an indoor school. There used to be a Civil Service Riding Club (OH was not a member) which may have ridden there and people with the RDA. But the Cavalry Barracks was where the RDA was in my day.
And one can ride up Rotten Row without going as far as the corner, if one prefers. I have done the whole circuit once but on the day I rode with my OH we turned back and retraced our steps.
I have walked and watched Polo in Windsor Great Park. It used to cost £20 to take a car into the Park. Maybe more now. I havent ridden in Windsor as I have plenty of choice of hacking yards nearer home.
As for riding at the Royal Mews. The Palace has an indoor school. There used to be a Civil Service Riding Club (OH was not a member) which may have ridden there and people with the RDA. But the Cavalry Barracks was where the RDA was in my day.
I would ask questions about that link and the status of the riding stables it advertises. I thought that was a normal RS. I intended to ride there one day. Our yard, also in a Royal park, was classified as a charity when I first rode there. But it is now licensed as a Riding Club. I guess it is a grey area whether or not riders who exercise horses belonging to a charity are benefitting from the charity or not?
I was riding from the Royal Mews so the only way to get to Rotten Row was to ride to it. I also rode at Clapham Common and Brockwell Park horse shows and had to ride to them, ie crossing London on horseback. No lorry luxury. And, as I said, it was over 30 years ago. I also did a horse show at Rotten Row. I have ridden down Kensington High Street, across Queenstown Road bridge, under train bridges, dodged taxis and buses.
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