Recent content by benji123

TrasaM - sorry to hear about your incident, this is just the sort of thing I meant! I wish I could toughen up and stay long enough to fall in love like you did :). Sleighfarer - definitely have had my share of post-lesson tears too! Not sure how it works in NZ if you are based there, but I...

Quote Originally Posted by tescoexpress V Half pass in a riding school group lesson... Mmm the bull **** sensor on my phone has just gone off the scale. I'd love to see the riding school which keeps 6 horses capable of half pass, but I suspect it is a figment of someone's imagination. I am...

Thanks everyone for your replies, it's nice to hear that some of you have positive experiences - I will try not to feel too disheartened!

You are completely right, I accepted this treatment as a kid and didn't expect it now but I guess I will put up with it as it's about the horses at the end of the day. I once met a lovely lady at an event who ran a business providing customer service training to riding schools and the like - I...

Fair point, my feelings are a little hurt by it all though. The forum is filled with bad experiences, just wondering why this is...

A provocative first thread so apologies in advance, I'm in that sort of mood today! I was very horsey when I was younger, however since my mid teens I have only been able to ride on-off due to disabling conditions. I am looking to get into it all again, and am a bit upset at the unwelcomeness...

I totally agree with the nostalgia argument, I'm sure people have been complaining about this since humans first began riding. BUT I do agree that riding schools don't provide the learning opportunities they used to. As a child of about 7 in the 90s a little gang of us the local RS were...

I'm size 8 or small 10 and have the 24" Olympia knee patch breeches which fit perfectly. I'm also 24" in pikeur and eurostar and small in kingsland breeches for comparison if you have ever worn those.

My 2nd hand waxed Barbour Gamefair really stood the test of time. Once I left the flap of the bellows pocket tucked in the wrong way and found my phone floating in its own swimming pool :p - works a little too well!

I had Kingston in mind, not heard of Ham House but it looks beautiful - will have to try it when I move back to London!

Jealous!

Hi Ali, I've ridden at many riding schools in London/Essex with varying quality! I won't bash the bad ones as I don't think it's really fair but here's my analysis: There are 2 in Wimbledon/Richmond that would be in easy reach from Barnes but I would say not worth the extortionate prices...

Hello I just joined today too, but I really sympathise and just had to reply to your post. I think you are being way too hard on yourself, I can't imagine how difficult it must be to learn to ride as an adult! I've ridden for 15 years and still feel I can't ride a 20m canter circle properly...

Something that really helped with my jumping position was to practice without a pony. Basically stand on the ground with legs horse width apart and in the correct aligment for riding (maybe not where people can see!). Then imagine you are about to jump and adopt the position you would normally...