Intensive Lear to Ride Courses. Advice please......

[Rascalz]

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to anyone reading this.

I've joined the Forum primarily to get some advice. I am an actor and am looking to bolster my CV in terms of skills and one of the main ones that I intend to master, or at least gain some semblance of proficiency in, is horse riding. I came across the Horse & Hound site while looking for intensive horse riding courses so thought 'where better to ask for advice than a forum'.

 

[Rascalz]

Hello!

I am an actor and am looking to bolster my CV in terms of skills and one of the main ones that I intend to master, or at least gain some semblance of proficiency in, is horse riding.

I have some very basic riding experience but it has been over 20 years since I rode and I’m not so certain horse riding is quite like bike riding in terms of the 'once you’ve learnt you never forget' bit especially as it's been so long since I last rode. ideally I would like to undertake some form of intensive course and would be grateful for any advice relating to recommended schools and / or do's and dont's please.

Many thanks

 

[Kunoichi73]

Home

Knights of Middle England run courses in a variety of riding skills for actors

 

[Glitter's fun]

Hello, welcome to the forum.

I live somewhere where quite a lot of filming takes place. My nearest RS did courses for actors in Game of thrones and Outlander and several more smaller budget films . They start with the basics then tailor a series of private lessons to very specific requirements, "need to gallop in a straight line for a battle scene" , need to walk down a slope & get off by the river" etc.

I think you'll do better finding a specific recommendation if you put an approximate location on the thread.

Regards the "riding a bike" thing. In my own experience that's true of your mind but if it's been a while the body refuses to obey! There would appear to be some muscles that are only used for riding, however fit you think you are! A re-start course & then keep doing the odd bit regularly so you're not crippled by the third take, would perhaps be best.

Good luck & let us know how you get on!

 

[ycbm]

Hi! The forum would just love to follow your progress, would you be able to update us?

@Cortez may have some tips for you, she was a horse wrangler on some big films until she retired recently.

I'm thinking of taking some bets on whether you keep it as an acting skill or get completely hooked
.

 

[Glitter's fun]

@Cortez Isn't this your line of work, or did I dream that?!

 

[Glitter's fun]

I just realised there are two threads on this.
Could they perhaps be merged?

 

[Rascalz]

Hello, welcome to the forum.

I live somewhere where quite a lot of filming takes place. My nearest RS did courses for actors in Game of thrones and Outlander and several more smaller budget films . They start with the basics then tailor a series of private lessons to very specific requirements, "need to gallop in a straight line for a battle scene" , need to walk down a slope & get off by the river" etc.

I think you'll do better finding a specific recommendation if you put an approximate location on the thread.

Regards the "riding a bike" thing. In my own experience that's true of your mind but if it's been a while the body refuses to obey! There would appear to be some muscles that are only used for riding, however fit you think you are! A re-start course & then keep doing the odd bit regularly so you're not crippled by the third take, would perhaps be best.

Good luck & let us know how you get on!

 

[Winters100]

I don't know if cost is a major issue for you, but if it is you might find it more cost effective to do an initial intensive course abroad, and then follow up with additional lessons in a local riding school in the UK.

 

[Rascalz]

Thank you for taking the time torrid my post and reply. Apologies for the spelling mistake, I did mean 'learn' and not 'lear'.

I'm based in W. London, easy access to Richmond Park etc but am more than happy to travel further afield if it's the right course.

 

[Rascalz]

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and reply. Apologies for the spelling mistake, I did mean 'learn' and not 'lear'.

I'm based in W. London, easy access to Richmond Park etc but am more than happy to travel further afield (UK only) if it's the right course.

 

[Rascalz]

I don't know if cost is a major issue for you, but if it is you might find it more cost effective to do an initial intensive course abroad, and then follow up with additional lessons in a local riding school in the UK.

Thank you for your reply. I'm happy to travel - which countries are more cost effective?

 

[Rascalz]

I just realised there are two threads on this.
Could they perhaps be merged?

Ah! I realise that my 'intro' post has prompted replies so could you let me know if there is any way that I can delete or edit posts? Thank you

 

[Rascalz]

Hi! The forum would just love to follow your progress, would you be able to update us?

@Cortez may have some tips for you, she was a horse wrangler on some big films until she retired recently.

I'm thinking of taking some bets on whether you keep it as an acting skill or get completely hooked
.

Hi! Thanks for your reply.I'd be more than happy to provide updates in terms of which course I choose, how I get on with it and how it helps my career . I'll drop @Cortez a line.

 

[Cortez]

@Cortez Isn't this your line of work, or did I dream that?!

Yeah, it is. I suggest you contact some of the experienced film horsemasters, people such as Steve Dent, Danny or Camilla Naprous of the Devil's Horsemen, or Ben Atkinson. If they can't help you directly they will be able to steer you to suitable places. The average riding school probably won't be much use, TBH, and horsemasters prefer to train actors themselves, on stunt trained horses. Good luck!

 

[Winters100]

Thank you for your reply. I'm happy to travel - which countries are more cost effective?

Well I think Central Europe would be a good place to look. There is a huge film making industry in Hungary for example, maybe worth asking the contacts mentioned by Cortez if this would be a good idea, and if they can recommend anywhere.

 

[Skib]

If you are looking near London, our RI at Ham House stables has taught actors to ride, and they also have a stunt rider / gymnastics rider who sometimes teaches there.

I would be wary of starting outside the UK as safety standards may not be so high.

 

[Cortez]

Thank you for your reply. I'm happy to travel - which countries are more cost effective?

Hi Actor Person, I don't think you need to go abroad to get what you want - although by all means go if it appeals to you, Spain or Portugal would be my recommendation, and many film horses are of Spanish or Portuguese breeding.

Safety concerns are best addressed by stuntmen, which circles back to the horsemaster.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Ah! I realise that my 'intro' post has prompted replies so could you let me know if there is any way that I can delete or edit posts? Thank you

You can't do it yourself. You need to ask @Forum Admin Team to merge the threads.

 

[Cortez]

Hi! Thanks for your reply.I'd be more than happy to provide updates in terms of which course I choose, how I get on with it and how it helps my career . I'll drop @Cortez a line.

Hi Rascalz, I have replied to your other post, but I suggest contacting some of the horsemasters mentioned: Steve Dent, Devil's Horsemen, Ben Atkinson.

 

[Forum Admin Team]

Threads merged.