Hello

[Gavin Allen]

Well, as the title says hello. I'm interested in taking riding lessons in the north worcestershire area, so will post in the appropriate forum.

 

[chillipup]

Hello Gavin Allen, welcome to the forum I think there are quite a few members from that area who may be able to help you.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Hi Gavin and welcome.
I don't know any local places but I'd always recommend starting with the British horse society website.

I don't know if you're new to riding but if you are, there's some great advice on there about what to expect and what to look for in a riding centre.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Gavin Allen]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I have just looked at the website that you suggested, very interesting. I am actually completely new to horses and riding. What I mean by that is that I have not even sat on a horse, or to my knowledge even know anyone who has. Now, as I turned 40 last year and my son has now started college, I thought it is about time that I had some fun. Most of my life has been spent living in the southern edge of Birmingham but with the "country lanes" only 2 or 3 miles away, that was the place I would head for in my spare time for nature rambles and dog walking. Anyway, I just wondered if many people of my age start lessons. I don't really want to be the only adult in a group of 4 year olds. Nothing against 4 year olds but, well I am sure you understand.

 

[Darbs]

Anyway, I just wondered if many people of my age start lessons. I don't really want to be the only adult in a group of 4 year olds. Nothing against 4 year olds but, well I am sure you understand.

Hi Gavin, welcome aboard. My daughter goes to Tewkesbury Riding School, which is some way from you, but there are definitely 40+ aged men and women that have started riding there. You don't have to ride with the young children (although some of them are very good, or better standard as the adults!), you could just have a private one-to-one lesson, then it would only be you and the instructor.

My daughter is 6 and can canter and jump on a very 'cheeky' pony (for that read 'pain in the bum'), she would make me look a complete goon on a horse!

 

[Gavin Allen]

Thank you Darby and everyone for your kind responses. As I don't drive Tewkesbury is a bit too far for me, however I have just looked at Trumans heath riding school near Solihull. Only about 5 miles so quite within walking distance. Actually as it's a rather pleasant walk, that is quite a plus. Anyway has anyone heard of it?

 

[Gavin Allen]

Sorry Darbs, I got your name wrong then.

 

[oldie48]

Hi I got into riding about 20 years ago at Seecham equestrian Centre, in Alvechurch. It's still going and has an excellent reputation. It belongs to a very well known family who know their horses. It specialised in adults when I went and had safe horses that were not complete plods. The standard of instruction was also good and looking at their current list of instructors, which include a FBHS I think it may be even better now.The highlight of my time there was riding a horse that had, in his younger years, been show jumped by David Broome. the only problem you might have though, is getting there if you don't drive.

 

[Gavin Allen]

Hi Oldie. Thanks for your reply. As it happens Alvechurch is much closer to me than Trumans Heath which is the other riding school I was looking at, and as I was planning on walking there, Alvechurch sounds like a great option. It's strange that when I have to go a different part of town, I will always get my wife to drive, but if it's somewhere down the"lanes" I never mind walking at all.