Riding School

The riding school was started as a fund raising proposition to support the charity. It has now grown beyond that early premise and is a successful venture in its own right even though it still fulfils its primary function of funding places at the charity for less fortunate special needs children. There are six instructors working at a variety of levels from total beginner to advanced riders and all bar one are qualified to BHSAI level and the trainee is fast getting to that level. Three of the instructors are successful competition riders at the highest level specialising in separate areas, namely showing, jumping and dressage and eventing. All our instructors are also committed to special needs teaching. This allows two special things to happen here, firstly the special needs riders are integrated into lessons for the able as soon as possible and, secondly, the 'buddy' system run by the charity takes its volunteers from pupils of the riding school. Barriers are broken down in two directions, the special needs children's confidence is encouraged and the able children learn about special needs dispelling myths and eradicating prejudices.

The riding school is for everybody and we cater for the mature as well as the young so our ladies mornings and pub rides are as popular as our after school and weekend pony clubs and holiday courses. Special events happen all the time ranging from courses by Richard Maxwell or Joni Bentley to stable management and horse care classes run by our own staff. Perhaps our greatest asset is the indoor school which even though it is small allows instruction to continue regardless of weather conditions.