Hiya I have now chosen the stables im going to learn at, its Wimbledon Village Stables in West London, i was wondering what everyones opinion is on the stables, I'm planning on doing to the 'Learn to ride in a day' Course as my basis for riding is to go out with my girlfriend on sundays, so this is ideal, my other question is what should i wear, i know tight trousers, boots and chaps but where can i get these, does it have to be a riding shop? i know tescos do riding clothes but it all seems to be aimed at women but im male and tesco only do jodphurs for women and the boots are in the size range of women
Wimbledon Village Stables
- Thread starter happygolucky
- Start date
The other riding school in Wimbledon (Ridgeway) has a small shop attached. I bought my basic outfit there the week after my first lesson. jods,hat, jod boots. And later the riding rain proof jacket which I still have. All was very good value.
You dont want tight trousers as you need to sit astride a horse, and you also need to avoid seams which rub inside your legs. My first lesson I just wore leggings and shoes with heels, and hired a hat.
I have never ridden at either of the Wimbledon schools, though I have had two friends who rode out from Wimbledon Village. I dont know if either yard has an enclosed school or whether they just teach their beginners out on the common.
I have met a couple of people who were scared by a first ride on the common when it included canter, including one young man. If you are young and male you may be expected to do more very soon after starting.
This type of introductory course was promoted aftert the TV show Only fools on horses, to encourage more young people to ride. As you chose the school, presumably you visited and asked what you would be doing during the learn to ride day?
You dont want tight trousers as you need to sit astride a horse, and you also need to avoid seams which rub inside your legs. My first lesson I just wore leggings and shoes with heels, and hired a hat.
I have never ridden at either of the Wimbledon schools, though I have had two friends who rode out from Wimbledon Village. I dont know if either yard has an enclosed school or whether they just teach their beginners out on the common.
I have met a couple of people who were scared by a first ride on the common when it included canter, including one young man. If you are young and male you may be expected to do more very soon after starting.
This type of introductory course was promoted aftert the TV show Only fools on horses, to encourage more young people to ride. As you chose the school, presumably you visited and asked what you would be doing during the learn to ride day?
no i have only emailed so far, i havn't had time to get there as i work 6 days a week, they were not too impressive to be honest, i got the bare bones, we ride and teach on the common and then for lessons there is a school we use on the common, the lady did say you ride for 3 hours, but for a 10-3pm course i did wonder what you do for the other 3 hours? this is what i'd like to find out, also as ridgway do the same course i have emailed them, they are 20 pounds cheaper for the day and seem alot more friendly which is good
Many people getting on a hrose for the first time would find half an hour to one hour enough. You may be very stiff the next day!
As for the three hours off a horse. the horse is the same animal and much of our contact with and handling of horses comes when we are on the ground. You need to be able t control a horse when you are not mounted, and will probably be shown how to lead, tack up (put the harness on etc.)
As for the three hours off a horse. the horse is the same animal and much of our contact with and handling of horses comes when we are on the ground. You need to be able t control a horse when you are not mounted, and will probably be shown how to lead, tack up (put the harness on etc.)
if your aim is to be able to ride out with your girlfried you might like to try a learn to ride long weekend - take a look at www.free-rein.co.uk. I was very impressed with the yard and the horses plus you'd be learning about riding out right from the start.
As a tip almost all riding schools are luddites - ring instead of emailing if you want a reply and any sense of how they really work.
aj xx
p.s the other three hours are to be spent sitting somewhere wondering why so many bits of you are sore! Riding uses muscles you don't often use
I'd guess they also give you some kind of 'how to tack up/untack' lesson.
As a tip almost all riding schools are luddites - ring instead of emailing if you want a reply and any sense of how they really work.
aj xx
p.s the other three hours are to be spent sitting somewhere wondering why so many bits of you are sore! Riding uses muscles you don't often use
I'd guess they also give you some kind of 'how to tack up/untack' lesson.
First day riding, 3 hours. Owch. Thats worse than my fence sitting!
I dont think I could happily ride for 3 hours in a day now. I got 3 horses to work!
Id guess there will be a lot of looking, watching and learning to do. Theres plenty more to riding than sitting on!
Libbyo
I dont think I could happily ride for 3 hours in a day now. I got 3 horses to work!
Id guess there will be a lot of looking, watching and learning to do. Theres plenty more to riding than sitting on!
Libbyo
hi i used to work at wvs its a great stables but very overpriced. the learn to ride in a day course has been done for quite a while before that program was on!. i dont think it is actually 6 hours it is normally 10-12 riding where you may have the staff ride the horse to the ring and you will be driven down there then you will ride and may ride back then i think its 2 hour break then 1 hour hack round the common then i think they do some basic stable management. it may be different now as i havnt worked there for a while but thats what it was when i was there you may also get my fav horse inky hes very laid back and lovely to ride.
sam
sam
newrider.com