Eventing/SJ/Dressage Yards near London

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Colleenmauro97

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Hi Everyone!
My name is Colleen and I am an eventer from the United States. I am currently spending the fall semester studying in London near King's Cross. I am 19 and I have been riding since I was 4 years old. I have experience in the eventing, foxhunting, show jumping, dressage, and vaulting world! I am a traditional USPC C3/HB and currently competing in eventing at training level. I am looking for any recommendations for saddle time while I am here, lessons or hacking. Reasonably priced for a college budget or ability to work off saddle time helping around the yard and close to public transportation would be appreciated. Mostly I am looking for anywhere to be near horses! Any recommendations for shows to attend also appreciated!
Thank you!!
Colleen Mauro
 
Hi, welcome to the UK.
I'm not sure what to suggest regarding saddle time from central london, you might find that tricky. It would be worth looking into your university sports teams, there is this thing called BUCS which is essentially an inter-university riding competition, but using riding school horses. The standard does vary hugely depending on your university, and even if you are at a good uni for it the horses can be 'interesting', however it's good fun and I'd reccomend investigating.

For viewing purposes there is:
Horse of the Year Show - Birmingham (excellent rail links)
http://hoys.co.uk/
Olympia - London (right on a tube line)
https://www.olympiahorseshow.com/

Both primarily showjumping.

You have missed the bulk of the eventing now unfortunately and just missed the summer dressage champs too.

If you like dressage it might be worth attending the BD convention in Hartpury, usually very educational.
https://www.britishdressage.co.uk/training/national_convention
 
Lomond classical riding centre near Gatwick is excellent - you can have lessons on their Spanish schoolmasters (mostly stallions) for a reasonable price. Lovely people too! Oldencraig is also in that area but has had mixed reviews on here, I've never been.

Also try posting on the group #twittereventing on Facebook, there are a lot of Londoners on there.

Olympia is a must, worth stretching your student budget for a ticket! If you look on the British Eventing and British Dressage websites you can see what 'normal' comps are on nearby in case you fancy a nosy at the regular UK comp scene.
 
You are probably going to have to decide if you want higher quality training which you will have to pay for, or just saddle time which you might be able to access relatively cheaply or for free. Its difficult to completely translate your standard from USPC to UK terms but looking at the site I think that is about C/ C+? Working toward BHS 2 in "old" qualifications? I might have under judged that slightly. US Training level eventing is PC Novice roughly.

If you want to progress your eventing training then you are probably looking at places like Wellington or Talland. Both a reasonable commute from London - but a commute none the less. (And expensive lessons!) Otherwise any yard offering BHS stage 3 training will have access to reasonably responsive horses and facilities. You can get a full list from the BHS website.

If you just want to hack perhaps in exchange for chores you could try places like Stag Lodge or Wimbledon Stables - both very easily accessible by public transport.

For a horsey fix whilst also helping others you could volunteer for the RDA (Riding for the Disabled). Most centers allow rides in exchange for work - but they might want more commitment than just one term.

Good luck!
 
Which uni are you studying at? UCL and King's both have riding clubs, and there's a University of London polo club too.

Trent Park is easily accessible by tube, and a lot cheaper than Hyde Park! Sounds like you'll be in London for Olympia too.
 
You may want to consider sharing a horse - not sure if they have the same thing in the US - but basically you ride someone else's horse a couple of times a week in exchange for chores or money or sometimes both. If you are very experienced people might be happy to forgo any contribution in exchange for your expertise.

From where you are it is easy to get out to Hertfordshire and some yards are accessible by public transport. If you are on facebook join local groups like Hertfordshire horse riders. hertfordshire horses and north london horse riders. You see horses advertised for share and you could even put your ad on saying what you want.
 
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