First Post! Looking for a Riding School near Hornchurch / Upminster

[clueless5678]

Hi everyone, this is my first post, so I hope its in the right place, am always a bit nervous on new forums as people sometimes get annoyed with stupid questions, so I've done a search but I can't seem to find the answers, so hopefully someone may be able to assist!

My daughter (currently 7, soon to be 8) has been asking about riding lessons, so I'm looking to find somewhere nearby where we could go for a trial lesson (she's had the odd pony ride before, but essentially no actual riding experience).

We live in Hornchurch, but I suspect Upminster (or just outside) is a more likely place to find a school.

I have tried google, but there don't seem to be any websites, so does anyone have any suggestions for a school for a complete beginner (I believe there is/was a school on Harwood Hall Lane, which is very near us, but it says Temporarily Closed when I search)?

Also, other than cost and location, what else do I need to consider when looking for a school (assuming she likes it after a trial lesson)?

Many thanks!

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Welcome! Everyone feels clueless when they first start out ?

I’m afraid I don’t know your area at all but generally Facebook horsey groups would be your best bet for area-specific questions.

In terms of what to look for in a riding school, BHS accreditation is a good place to start. It doesn’t mean they’ll be perfect but they will have to meet basic standards. If there’s a riding school nearby which has a Pony Club Centre (centres are for children who don’t have their own pony) that would probably be your best bet as they will be welcoming to children of your daughter’s age.

Your daughter will probably be on the lead rein at first - if you can watch a couple of lessons first to see how the (usually teenage) helpers interact with the children and how much learning is actually going on. If she likes her first couple of experiences, it would be worth getting a few private lunge lessons to help her get her position right and then move onto more sociable group lessons.

 

[ezililaur]

https://www.eastminsterridingschool.co.uk/ Is in Upper Rainham Road.

https://www.aldboroughhall.co.uk/ Is a bit further from you, in Newbury Park.

Both are highly recommended.

 

[clueless5678]

Great, thank you both for your pointers, I must confess I had seen the Eastminster one, but being new to this I wasn't sure if a good website translates to a good school, so its positive to hear they come recommended!