2 Qs: Summerhouse for lessons and hat buying at 3 Counties

Kat_Bath

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Good evening!
Two questions...
1. How is Summerhouse for lessons? I'm moving to Glos in 2 weeks and would like to start having weekly lessons ASAP to get back in the saddle. Does anyone have any recommendations for instructors and/or horses? I'd like to have a private lesson and then maybe small groups, depending, sticking to flatwork to start with.
2. I'm going to 3 Counties next Sunday and I need a new hat. My current is a Champion skull which I know is only BSEN and not both that and PAS so I'd like to get something that meets both. Unfortunately for me(!), it's not been overused as I've only been able to ride once a week if that since buying it 3 years back and although I've fallen once and not hit my head, it is also a tad creaky which I know is really not a good sign. Am I likely to be able to buy something at 3C? I haven't been to a country fair for a while. Do tradestands take qualified hat fitters to shows?
For any info, I can offer a cup of tea and a slice of Madeira cake :)
 
I went to summerhouse many years ago, seems very large now! I recommend Huntley, other side of glos on the way to Ross. Smaller yard, brilliant instructors including Carole broad who's a fellow of bhs.
 
Ooo, thank you! Interesting you should say that as my one doubt was the size. Otherside of Glos could be good as OH lives Ledbury way so would be the 'right' side for car borrowing and/or lifts ;)
Thank you for your help, do you take milk and sugar?
 
Huntley is nice as you get to know all the instructors. Obviously smaller range of horses, but something for everyone and not your typical riding school horses or lessons.
Sort of the right side, (eg south ish) but not that close, maybe 25 mins from Ledbury going through Newent.
Haha tea with 1 sugar please!
3 counties is always good, unfortunately I am working so can't go this year! Unsure about hat fitters, can't remember seeing any proper saddlerys there, normally just clothes and random shops!
 
On it's way to you now ;)
I thought perhaps it wouldn't be the best place to be hat seeking. I will pop into a shop at some point if I don't find anything, just thought I'd ask as I'm going anyway.
Thank you for taking the time to reply-much appreciated :)
 
Only ever competed at Summerhouse, so no clue on teaching levels.

Try Horsesense for a hat, they are normally at The Counties and have experienced staff.
 
I dont have any answers to your questions but just wanted to say Iam competing at the 3 counties! :D The 3rd leg of the National Horse Boarding Championships is being held, come say hello! Team Irn-Raptor. :) xx
 
I dont have any answers to your questions but just wanted to say Iam competing at the 3 counties! :D The 3rd leg of the National Horse Boarding Championships is being held, come say hello! Team Irn-Raptor. :) xx

A-maz-ing! Are you there on the Sunday? Are you a rider or a boarder? Can I have a go?! ;) OH mentioned to me she saw horseboarding somewhere and she mentioned it's on at the Game Fair in Grantham that she's off to with work. If you're there on Sunday I'll definitely come and find you! I'm very intrigued by the whole thing!
 
Colne should be at 3 counties, def a 'proper' saddlers lol, and they will have hats (well, that always have done in the past). They were overlooking the Malvern ring last year. Have a fab day, we're competing on the sun too, just hope we won't need a snorkel with all this rain!
 
Ah, I have heard of Colne, I'll look out for them :) thank you! Good luck on Sunday! You may need flippers as well as a snorkel!!
 
I used to have lessons at Summerhouse and really enjoyed them. It is big and there is a wide variety of horses and instructors. But it means that depending on what level you ride at you can get to ride some very well schooled ex competition horses.

Definitely worth a try.
 
I'd put in another vote for Huntley, fab place, I learned so much there, and the horses don't have as much of a downtrodden RS attitude. Not a blanket assumption of Summerhouse there, but NONE of Huntleys horses feel very typical RS, schoolmaster yes, but they still enjoy their work. Judith and Carole both excellent instructors, and they used to offer adult groups one or two evenings a week which were really good, cheaper but a good amount of individual attention still.

Would love to hear a lesson report once you've made the move :)
 
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