Anyone with 20-30 miles of Newbury?

nikicb

nikicb

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Was Surrey, now West Berkshire
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I'm fairly new to the area and have just started keeping our old pony at home and just got a new one. I want to start getting out and about with the kids. So..... does anyone know of any local shows coming up in the area - very small, kid friendly ones really. Have looked in H&H and a couple of the free mags, but can't really see much around.

Also, I would appreciate some recommendations for local off road riding. Don't mind quiet lanes, but pretty new to the area so don't really know the local hacking/good circuits etc. I've looked on the map and it shows bridleways and byways, but know there are likely to be a lot more permissive brideleways etc that may not be on the map. I have transport and am quite happy to box there, so would especially like to hear about good hacking areas within 30 mins drive that have somewhere to park as well. And if anyone is looking for a hacking companion that would be great as well. Just got a 13'2" for my boys that I will be able to ride as well, so good excuse to get out and about!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. :)
 
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look on the pony club website- I know Craven PC are around newbury Lambourne area, so could join that and get out to some rallies the people there will know all the places to go :)
 
Nikicb I'm just the other side of Reading, but used to hack out from Bradfield RS last summer, you can buy an annual permit to hack on the Englefield Estate and round Padworth, lovely, very pretty off-road for hacking.
Further north you could hack along The Ridgeway, always wanted to do that.

I'm sure there are quite active bridleways campaigners your side of Berkshire, and there's quite a network around as it's less built up than our end - bit of googling should find something.
 
I livery at Church Brook Farm in Tadley, it has a small show on 22nd August which I am sure will be child friendly.

Being held at Church Brook Farm in Tadley, RG26 4AY (Pease do not contact Church Brook Farm for this, please phone 07901 555398 evenings for queries)

All profits will be split equally between Hampshire Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK

INCLUDES:- Table Top Tack Sale - £5 a pitch

Show includes:-
Show Jumping
Dressage
Best Turned Out
Best Ridden Coloured
Veteran Horse/Pony (over 15years)
Riding Club Horse/Pony
Family Pony
Prettiest Mare
Handsomest Gelding
Horse/Pony judge would most like to take home with them
Gymkhana Games

I box across to Bucklebury common every now and again, that has some nice bridle paths.
 
Chestunutmare! said:
look on the pony club website- I know Craven PC are around newbury Lambourne area, so could join that and get out to some rallies the people there will know all the places to go :)
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Good idea, will check out their website. I never did pony club as a child and my older son has probably missed the boat a bit now (he's 13, but needs to build his confidence up again and the other children his age are probably way ahead of him now). But would make sense for my 7 year old to join.
 
Dubsie said:
Nikicb I'm just the other side of Reading, but used to hack out from Bradfield RS last summer, you can buy an annual permit to hack on the Englefield Estate and round Padworth, lovely, very pretty off-road for hacking.
Further north you could hack along The Ridgeway, always wanted to do that.

I'm sure there are quite active bridleways campaigners your side of Berkshire, and there's quite a network around as it's less built up than our end - bit of googling should find something.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dubsie, that's perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I'll also try googling for other permits. It just takes the stress out of taking children plus ponies out if I don't have to think about the roads as well. I'm sure my confidence will grow, but I have never been a happy hacker on my old horse as she was just not enjoyable to take out and silly on the road, so looking forward to just enjoying being out and about on something a bit more sensible.
 
Milly-Molly-Maisie said:
I livery at Church Brook Farm in Tadley, it has a small show on 22nd August which I am sure will be child friendly.

Being held at Church Brook Farm in Tadley, RG26 4AY (Pease do not contact Church Brook Farm for this, please phone 07901 555398 evenings for queries)

All profits will be split equally between Hampshire Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK

INCLUDES:- Table Top Tack Sale - £5 a pitch

Show includes:-
Show Jumping
Dressage
Best Turned Out
Best Ridden Coloured
Veteran Horse/Pony (over 15years)
Riding Club Horse/Pony
Family Pony
Prettiest Mare
Handsomest Gelding
Horse/Pony judge would most like to take home with them
Gymkhana Games

I box across to Bucklebury common every now and again, that has some nice bridle paths.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that sounds like a lovely show for them. I'll check out the diary and call the number if we can make it. :)
 
The Newbury Weekly News usually do a horse-show pull-out at the begining of the summer, might be worth giving them a call to see if they can send a copy? Or there's a tack/feed place in Thatcham, run by a lady called Ginnie, she has a noticeboard and lots of local knowledge, thinks its called Threshers Barn. It has been a few years since I was based there though. If you can box, the Ridgeway is SOOO worth a drive out, also there is a book 'Circular Rides around Berkshire' but you do need an OS map as well! Happy hacking!
 
South Berks and The Vine Pony clubs are both quite active. As is Berkshire Riding Club and i think they have a junior section. There is also Berkshire downs Riding Club and Mortimer Riding club. Lambourne Woodlands is a nice show but think it may have been and gone for this year. Next year though! Mini huntertrials at Kingsclere, and hall place are great for the children. The Highclere rides are great fun with lots of little jumps and a short or long course.
 
Crazydancer said:
The Newbury Weekly News usually do a horse-show pull-out at the begining of the summer, might be worth giving them a call to see if they can send a copy? Or there's a tack/feed place in Thatcham, run by a lady called Ginnie, she has a noticeboard and lots of local knowledge, thinks its called Threshers Barn. It has been a few years since I was based there though. If you can box, the Ridgeway is SOOO worth a drive out, also there is a book 'Circular Rides around Berkshire' but you do need an OS map as well! Happy hacking!
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Thanks so much - great to have some 'local knowledge' on here. Will check these out. And, yes, the Ridgeway is definitely on the agenda! We are a few miles north west of Newbury so not too far from it really. :)
 
dozzie said:
South Berks and The Vine Pony clubs are both quite active. As is Berkshire Riding Club and i think they have a junior section. There is also Berkshire downs Riding Club and Mortimer Riding club. Lambourne Woodlands is a nice show but think it may have been and gone for this year. Next year though! Mini huntertrials at Kingsclere, and hall place are great for the children. The Highclere rides are great fun with lots of little jumps and a short or long course.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dozzie. I'll check the PCs out for younger son. And will check out RC for older son as may be better for him - he's more into dressage and the quieter stuff than charging full speed round xc courses etc, so a junior section of RC may be better than PC (just thinking back to my RC days in Surrey!). And will also check out the shows you mention - had thought I may take 13'2" pony down to do the Highclere ride on Sat 21st on my own, but not sure I'm up to jumping!!! :D Is anyone else going? Am assuming even the shorter course is too long to take a lead rein around.
 
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