Personally, I wouldn't bother with Ashton Hall. Topping fields full of ragwort and not collecting the cuttings is not a good thing yet people still turned out onto those fields. I could go on but I don't want to be done for slander lol.
There are plenty of yards in the area, cloverfield has...
Sorry, but it is not 'bollox'.
We've only recently allowed kids to help us after a lot of discussion due to not having a real need for them as we can quite happily run lessons without helpers. We didn't have helpers for about two years and managed fine. It is a bonus to have helpers to lead but...
Have you asked why no one canters?
If you already know plenty and you aren't gaining anything by being there then just leave while you aren't really tied to the place.
I work in a Riding School and whilst our helpers don't pay they don't get free rides unless they deserve them as they have been given the opportunity to come and learn more about horses than you do in a riding lesson and if one of the helpers becomes unhappy with not getting free rides then they...