Does anyone remember Sussex Yard in 60's

onemoretime

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 April 2008
Messages
2,461
Visit site
Im just wondering if any of the older members on here went to or remember a Riding School I used to go to as a child when I stayed with my aunty in Portslade near Brighton in the 1960's. It was a bus ride away up towards the South Downs, I could walk it in those days in about 15 to 20 minutes. It was a lovely yard run by an old man and his son. When you went out of the gate if you turned left onto the road you went down quite a steep slope and round a right hand bend and along a short way and up on to the Down. If you turned right out of the gate you went a very short distance and up a path and again on to the Downs. We used to have wonderful canters there. I used to ride a lovely pony called Ginger who was chestnut and about 13.2 and he was my favourite. I also rode a grey called Bracken and there was a bay pony whose name I have forgotten, I remember his saddle was uncomfortable. There was an old horse called Steve who was bigger, I rode him once. They didnt use him so much as he was quite old. The young man sometimes escorted us out on hacks and he rode a horse called Kilbarry and sometimes the older man who I think was his father also escorted us out on hacks. There was a chestnut mare called Sally. Ive no idea of the name of the place but I loved it there. I went on a day ride once with a packed lunch and it rained all day. All the horses were well looked after and cared for. I was told many years later that the place had been built on sadly. Didnt know any of the names of the people, sorry. It would be lovely if someone knows the place Im talking about and perhaps knows a bit more about it. I think the bay pony was called Rufus. Thanks.
 

onemoretime

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 April 2008
Messages
2,461
Visit site
I remember Champ he was a little dark bay pony. On our day ride I remember we stopped for water at a water trough and Champ put his head right in up to his eyes. So glad someone knows what I was talking about as I didn't have a lot to go on.
 

onemoretime

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 April 2008
Messages
2,461
Visit site
Wow just loved reading that. So sad it was demolished. The people were all lovely but I didn't know any names. I was only about 8 or 9 and then 10. When I left my junior school and went to the senior school I didn't go to stay with my aunt anymore but I have never forgotten those days.
 

Petalpoos

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 December 2005
Messages
1,504
Location
West Sussex
Visit site
Yes, I remember it, although I lived further west in Shoreham so I went to Mrs Goodbody’s, Happy Valley and Holmbush. I think the Portslade stables were run by Mickey Ayling for a while - but I think that was in the 70s. I used to ride in the same places on the Downs though, up over the National Trust and up to Truleigh Hill and the Dyke. There are a lot of fences now, but it was nearly all open in the 70s with, as you say, some lovely canters. Happy days!
 

onemoretime

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 April 2008
Messages
2,461
Visit site
Thank you so much Rowreach for putting these details on here. Its brought such lovely memories back.
Yes, I remember it, although I lived further west in Shoreham so I went to Mrs Goodbody’s, Happy Valley and Holmbush. I think the Portslade stables were run by Mickey Ayling for a while - but I think that was in the 70s. I used to ride in the same places on the Downs though, up over the National Trust and up to Truleigh Hill and the Dyke. There are a lot of fences now, but it was nearly all open in the 70s with, as you say, some lovely canters. Happy days!

A young fair haired man used to take us out on hacks over the downs He used to ride Alex or Kilbarry I think. He took me home in his van after our day ride where is poured with rain all day and we were all soaked when we got back. He was very kind. This would have been about 1964. So glad I started this thread as its lovely to hear from others who rode there. Be glad to hear from anyone else who remembers those wonderful days, I think we had the best of it then.
 
Last edited:
Top