Good Riding lessons near HG4

[mini_b]

After perusing the forum for a long time everyone is so helpful so I think this is the place to ask!



I’ve started lessons at a RS after a break of 10 years. I had my own horses as a youngster and helped school and exercise at a local yard. XC riding and fun rides. Lots of riding, daily and different horses.

I moved away for uni at 20 (late starter) and as the tale goes, I meet someone, work, family etc etc and I couldn’t afford a horse of my own so it just fell off the radar. I’m now 30 and there’s a hole in my heart that can only be filled with the horses. My long term plan is to eventually get another horse.

Now I feel for so many of you getting back into riding. I was so disappointed I wasn’t picking up where I left off, as many of you seem to be!!

I’ve been riding a typical RS kick along pony, now when I was riding daily I would have got this wee pony going, so I know this is purely down to the ability I have now. My seat is surprisingly balanced but my leg aids are far from refined. I am so rusty.

I feel incredibly frustrated that my horse isn’t as forward going as what I’m used to and all this effort expended trying to get it moving.

My instructor is a total sweetheart, a genuinely lovely person but I feel the place is aimed at tiny tots and total beginners, I left feeling like my riding isn’t going to improve. The horses there weren’t what I’ve been used to.

I don’t feel comfortable going back to my old yard due to a member of staff that works there. (I’m not going to disclose name of yard)

Can anyone recommend a good riding school near me? Or am I being a total tw*t and things will improve no matter what I ride......

( i don’t have my own horse at the moment to attend lessons on.)

I am willing to travel up to 45 mins to a good school. I live outside masham, North Yorkshire.

 

[teacups]

Quite a distance, 45 mins. I'd say Yorkshire Riding Centre except I think they don't do lessons except on your own horse these days.
Hillcroft Farm at Sicklinghall is good, always recommended by horsey people -10 mins from M1 at Wetherby, is that too far? I don't know about places further North.
A place called Follifoot near Harrogate sounds not too dissimilar to the one you are at right now, you may not like that one.

 

[mini_b]

Quite a distance, 45 mins. I'd say Yorkshire Riding Centre except I think they don't do lessons except on your own horse these days.
Hillcroft Farm at Sicklinghall is good, always recommended by horsey people -10 mins from M1 at Wetherby, is that too far? I don't know about places further North.
A place called Follifoot near Harrogate sounds not too dissimilar to the one you are at right now, you may not like that one.

Thanks teacups! YRC is your horse only now
Wetherby is a touch too far too, by time I’ve got there, ridden and got back.
I’ve looked online at one near Richmond that says they cater for all abilities up to competing (which I’m not currently!) so will give them a call.

 

[JennBags]

Why don't you look for a share instead? Bit more commitment, maybe a bit more cash by the time you've laid out for the horse and an instructor, but you'd probably get a lot more out of it.

 

[mini_b]

Thanks Jen! You’re right, Ive been looking for a share as well but not seen anything close enough to me currently. Was hoping to get my confidence back in my ability before I’m riding someone else’s horse! I plan on having two private lessons a week. Expensive yes but with a good instructor it’s worth it if I/we see improvements. Also acceptable if I’m not laying out for a horse at the moment! Ha! If I’m at a good yard and back around horsey folk also might be able to point me in direction of someone looking for a share!

 

[teacups]

That sounds promising. Actually because I wondered whether you could cut down through the Ripon A61 then A59 route, I put it into routeplanner and Masham to Hillcroft Farm comes up as 46 mins, via the M1 - am amazed. It's still some way from you - but might be worth keeping on your potentials list It would be good to hear how you get on at the place in Richmond if you try it.

I know what you mean about sharing - don't want to feel as though you're ruining someone else's horse! <g>

 

[mini_b]

I’ll definitely not discount hillcroft farm just yet. I’ve spoken to someone at hollies in Richmond and I’m waiting a call back to book, She was busy on yard.
I will let you know I get on cos I think it will benefit others on the hunt too!

 

[ITPersonnage]

OMG I remember riding there when I was about 18 (over 30 years ago) and remember Yvonne, she was lovely. Me & Mum used to pitch up every week for a hack, happy days.