Equestrian Centres in W Yorks (Leeds ish)

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Tinkle

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Hello all,

I realise this isn't strictly related to competition riding but I hope some of you may have some suggestions. I'm looking to start lessons again after selling my youngster last year due to lack of time and my old TB is retired. Does anyone have any recommendations of riding schools/equestrian centres around the Leeds area where the teaching, lessons, horses etc are good quality? I'm a little rusty after a break of a few months but used to ride to an OK standard so would like the lessons to be challenging.

I did start at a riding school near home but they didn't have many larger ponies/horses. The group lesson I joined seemed to be more about sticking with the same horse and spending the day getting the horses in, groomed, tacked up etc as well. I don't mind the same one but it's nice to get out of the bad habits we all get into riding the same horse every day. And to be honest, with life like it is at the moment, I want to turn up and ride.

Preferably Huddersfield/Wakefield side of Leeds, although had considered Acrecliffe so don't mind a little travel. Does anyone have any experience of Acrecliffe?

Thanks very much.

x
 
I used to work at Acrecliffe and would highly recommend them, I also learnt to ride there and found they had a great selection of horses and ponies for all abilities!!!
 
Thanks. I think I have a ridden there a couple of years ago when I did the university riding comps. I seem to remember riding a lovely little mare for the dressage bit but we rode at that many venues I forget!

Perhaps I'll give them a call.

x
 
Acrecliffe are ok, Draughton Heights between Addingham and Skipton is much better IMAO.
Admittedly it was a few years ago with my niece, but felt the ponies at Acrecliffe were a bit institutionalised and dead to the leg..... I had to sometimes put my fist in my mouth sometimes too.
Never saw adult lessons so can't comment.
I also agree Middletone EC is a great set up, although only been to dressage competitions, and my friend loaned her super pony to them for RDA.
Not sure where else?
 
Thanks all. Acrecliffe and Draughton would be the less convenient of the three (I'm currently living near Huddersfield although moving to Leeds in the summer) but I'd heard Middleton did mainly children's/RDA lessons?

x
 
Well, it's a bit further from Leeds but I would maybe try the Yorkshire Riding Centre in Markington, Harrogate. I just checked the website as I wasn't sure they had their own horses but seemingly they do and, seeing as it's/was Chris Bartle's place the standard is pretty good. They have decent facilities - 2 indoor and an outdoor school plus a xc course. I think it may be a place better suited to someone experienced (ie yourself) as opposed to a complete beginner although looking at the site they say suitable for all abilities

http://yrc.co.uk/content/lessons

I used to ride at Sicklinghall when i was a kid so you could try there but I am not sure what the adult lessons are like these days although generally they would cater for all levels of riding and you'd often be able to hack the horses out on your own (not sure whether you can still do that these days what with H&S and insurance!). It is fantastic for hacking though. Anyway, it's Hillcroft Farm Stables, Sicklinghall.

Neither places are really that far from leeds (I live in Leeds)
 
Well I am adult and I have had lessons at Middleton EC. Although I haven't been for a couple of years, just been on website, still looks the same!

I rode a little horse called Finlay - he was ace!
 
I was in your area a few years ago and spent a lot of time at Acrecliffe helping with the RDA group there but i chose to have my lessons at Middleton. The only disadvantage is they wouldn't really let group lessons jump when I was there (4+ years ago). I found their horses to be superior to Acrecliffe's and cheaper - i was told it's partially funded by the City Council but i don't know how it works.
If I was to go at Acrecliffe I'd want the owners to teach me (Anne or Fiona) as they are worth the extra money.
Wench - Finlay definitely hasn't been there for a good few years :( he was gone before I was.
 
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