Just moved to London from Australia - where to start?

typekitty

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 March 2010
Messages
204
Location
London, UK
whateverhappenedtobrooklyn.blogspot.com
Hi there!

So indeed, I'm on my 16th day here and totally loving it.

A little bit about me first, I'm 24 and I'm looking to further my graphic designer career while I'm here (also looking to stay - my 2 year working visa just isn't enough!) and in the meantime I'm just working in a cafe to pay the bills.

The UK holds some of the top events and I can't wait to visit Burghley, Badminton and Hickstead in that time.

Right now though, I really want to connect with some horsey people. I really want to go hunting one day but have no real clue how to go about it... Same goes with riding clubs (are there any in London?) - I obviously don't have a horse here and I'm living in E1 - but there has to be something... I'm hanging to go riding! Any recommendations would be really appreciated as far as these things go. I don't have any horsey friends here. I'm an eventer at heart and in training but I'm interested in everything. I'm not really looking to compete (for a while, anyway) just pleasure ride and to have a good yak about general horsey things. (My boyfriend with whom I travelled isn't really the horse-loving type :P)

At the very least I'm enjoying the different range of equestrian magazines!
 
Hey!

Welcome to England
smile.gif


I don't live in London, but I do work there [W2] so if you fancy meeting up for a drink someday and having a horsey chat, send me a pm!
smile.gif


I don't know any riding clubs or anywhere directly in London, but I can certainly point you in the right direction to find something.
 
Hi, welcome, although I do wonder why you have moved here from Aus! Just think of all that sun you are missing!!!!! LOL.
To be serious though, Riding clubs can be found on British Riding Clubs website. The area for London is Area 9. Click on that and it should show you which clubs are in London.
PM me if you need any more help and good luck and enjoy England. Badminton, Burghley,Blenheim etc are all fabulous.
 
Hi! Welcome to the UK and to the forum!
Don't live in London, so not much help in recommendations, but try the British Horse Society website:
http://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/Find_Where_To_Ride.aspx
or Yell.com:
Yellow pages
They might be good places to start.
Incidently, which part of Australia are you from? I visited Sydney, Melbourne and Noosa and LOVED it! Would love to go back some day....
 
Thanks for the replies!

I'm from Melbourne and far out, it was hot when I left (32 degrees celcius at night hot). I'm LOVING the cold weather and icy wind.
laugh.gif


Cheers for the websites, I was on the LRC site earlier and wasn't sure about the whole Zone 9 thing. Not having a car makes things real difficult - I think for Badminton I'm going to catch a coach up for the day.
 
Hey, gotta say, i think ur mad for givin up the sun shine!! id give anything for some right now!! i live near london, where abouts have you moved to? youve arrived just intime for the start of the show season!! wont b long till royal windsor horse show, thats always a good one to go 2 and the national shire show is in a couple of weeks ( a good 1 if your wanting to have a look at our great british draught horse) will you be looking to share a horse over here?
 
Hey Welcome to UK. If you need a car (and your license is compatible) you can get on one of those car share schemes that they have running. My cuz lives in London and that is what they do as day to day they have no need for a car.

Enjoy all the events and if you are coming north and need an overnighter you are more than welcome.

Chatsworth is a lovely eventing course and a great day out.
 
Welcome to London! I’ve lived here my whole life, and just about managed to fit horses into it so it is possible but trickier than some other areas of the country obviously…! Riding schools you should look into are the London Equestrian Centre (Finchley way), Trent Park (Cockfosters tube) and probably most helpfully for you, Lea Valley Riding Centre in Hackney/Leyton area. PM me if you like and I can rabbit on about riding in London for ages! Also, if you have a spare couple of hundred quid (!) you can join Riding Club London which will put you in contact with lots of different “quality” riding opportunities… ie expensive outings on posh horses! Also, if you have the time and funds, I would look into a horse share perhaps(?) and I’m not only saying that because I have a couple of horses I need sharers for….!! Anyway please PM me if you want to chat, happy to meet you for a drink/chat in London sometime and chat ponies!!
 
Welcome to the UK.

If you want to got to Badminton, many Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs run coaches up for XC day, which are often open to non members. Alternatively they run a coach shuttle from Chippenham station. See the info here: http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/visitor_information/getting_here.aspx

Alternatively, Badminton is really close to Bath, which is definately worth a visit. So you may want to combine the 2 (appease the BF) and get a taxi up to the site. NB: If you are going for XC day and choose this option, aim to be in the showground by 8am or you will be paying to sit in traffic for 2 hours.
 
Also if you go to Badminton, your OH might want to go too - its very social, there are bars, food places and LOADS of shopping. On a nice day weatherwise it can be a lovely day out.
 
Top