Does anyone know why Belmont riding stables in Mill Hill, North London, close down? What's going to happen to the site? I heard a long while ago that the owners had wanted to create some super-establishment but the plans were turned down. Hope there's nothing sinister afoot, there's a lot of land there. Also, does anyone remember the Roses running the place. And what was it like with Mrs Rose in charge? Was she scarey then, too?! They're now at South Medburn. Just wandering when they moved and why? Too many questions, sorry!
What happened to Belmont, Mill Hill?
- Thread starter Suzanne2
- Start date
I used to ride there. It closed down about 5 or 6 years ago, they didn't get the permission to develop and it was in quite a poor state so it did need rebuilding. At that point it was owned by Andrew Reid and I believe that when it was put up for sale he kept most of the land where the grazing and cross country fields were.
I've heard rumours that they are going to build housing on the land which would be ironic given they refused permisson on the basis that it was too much development on green belt land. I saw the plans and it was only really improving and replacing what was there. Moving the indoor school up the hill was one thing - does anyone else remember how dark and slippery the hill down to the school was on a winters evening? Meanwhile it's abandoned and falling into ruin.
I've heard rumours that they are going to build housing on the land which would be ironic given they refused permisson on the basis that it was too much development on green belt land. I saw the plans and it was only really improving and replacing what was there. Moving the indoor school up the hill was one thing - does anyone else remember how dark and slippery the hill down to the school was on a winters evening? Meanwhile it's abandoned and falling into ruin.
Mrs Rose!!!
I will never, ever forget Mrs Rose. Rode at Belmont as a kid and she used to terrify me. She was petite yet rode a vast 17.2hh horse, always in absolutely full makeup and show attire, and scared ten year old me to death. Once, when I didnt' want to ride the slowest pony in the yard she told me it would be better if I took up disco dancing!!!! 25 years on I am delighted to say I totally ignored her advice.
Belmont now in a sad state. I imagine that its owner will just hang on to it in the hope that planning law changes and it could be built on as it would be worth zillions for housing. Pity though, used to be a fab place.
I will never, ever forget Mrs Rose. Rode at Belmont as a kid and she used to terrify me. She was petite yet rode a vast 17.2hh horse, always in absolutely full makeup and show attire, and scared ten year old me to death. Once, when I didnt' want to ride the slowest pony in the yard she told me it would be better if I took up disco dancing!!!! 25 years on I am delighted to say I totally ignored her advice.
Belmont now in a sad state. I imagine that its owner will just hang on to it in the hope that planning law changes and it could be built on as it would be worth zillions for housing. Pity though, used to be a fab place.
I remember Mrs. Rose very well! (I was the chief instructor at Belmont from 1982-1984). The Roses (Margaret, Harold, and daughter Jennifer) were lovely people, and moved over to South Medburn Farm around 1983, and the magnificent riding school was taken over and left in the totally incapable hands of former handyman Greg Parsons. Margaret Rose offered me a position with them at South Medburn when they sold upand moved on, but as they were going to operate solely as a livery yard (and no teaching), and declined the offer. But as I could see disaster looming once the Roses had departed, I naturally put out my feelers to move on elsewhere - which I did.
My signature photo here is a photo taken in 1984 at Belmont, near the entrance to the Indoor Riding School which was (as Cris0 points out) halfway down the hill. It was a great place, very high standards, and many happy memories!
My signature photo here is a photo taken in 1984 at Belmont, near the entrance to the Indoor Riding School which was (as Cris0 points out) halfway down the hill. It was a great place, very high standards, and many happy memories!
I rode at Belmont every Saturday back in the 80s my instructor was called Wayne and I used to ride I'd a pony I forget his name but he was a sandy bay with a white mane and tail he was a beautiful pony and and I remember being devastated when we moved house and I couldn't ride there anymore I moved to Buckinghamshire in my 30s and my son began riding lessons unfortunately that school closed down I'm now moved back to mill hill and I'm looking for somewhere for my son and I to ride the memories of Belmont are so clear in my mind I develop such confidence going there. Hmmmmmm happy memories X
Lol om goodness in your photo.... That's the exact spot I had my first " involuntary dismount "
thanks to a nervous pony lololol such happy memories x
Old thread, but it's very sad, so many good schools have closed, due to the rise of litigation cases. The wonderful one I used to go to closed many years ago, having just got fed up with cases being brought (and lost) by customers who literally just fell off. The couple who ran it had had enough, even though they never were sued successfully. They found it too stressful, and changed to livery only. Their horses and instructors were brilliant.
How amazing to discover this thread. I used to ride at Belmont as a child and remember several instructors, Carolyn, Bob Martin, Ida. Does anyone remember Crispin, a sweet dun pony, about 14 hands?
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