Lomond Classical Riding Centre: Is it still running, and how do I book lessons? And are there classical riding schools closer to West London?

[mlem]

I am very keen on taking classical dressage lessons, however I'm based in West London and don't have my own horse, which from an online search, seems to really limit my options.
The two places I found which I could reasonably travel to are Ham House Stables and Lomond Classical Riding Centre.
It seems as though Ham House Stables are fully booked though.
I tried emailing and texting Lomond, but haven't received any replies. I did create an EC Pro account on their system, but am not sure if I should go ahead and book an assessment lesson, not knowing if they are still running or not and whether I can just book and show up with no prior communication with them.

If anyone has any further info regarding Lomond, or even if Ham House runs a waiting list/offers lessons during non-peak hours etc. I would really appreciate it.

Would also really appreciate it if anyone knows of any riding schools teaching classical dressage closer to West London ( Ideally without needing to drive on the motorway, as I am very nervous about it. But I guess if I do go to Lomond for lessons, I might have to overcome that fear first, or take a big detour. ).

 

[sbloom]

Lomond is definitely still running, can't help you with the rest though, sorry! Have you phoned?

 

[JenJ]

I think @Skib has mentioned Ham House before, and may know of some options over that way?

 

[teapot]

Have you tried messaging Lomond via their fb page? Though nothing’s been posted on there since Christmas.

 

[mlem]

Thanks everyone for your replies Ham House is fully booked for lessons unfortunately, but it would be nice to know of any options nearby.
Yes, I think I'll try calling / messaging on fb for Lomond as well, thanks.

 

[Skib]

I think @Skib has mentioned Ham House

Yes, I learned to ride at Ham House. It was always a livery yard as well as a school giving lessons. Can you not ask them whether they have a waiting list for lessons?
However you need to be clear what sort of dressage you want. My lessons at Ham were in the Spanish School style with lots and lots of lunge lessons. I learned balance on the lunge and bareback.
As for other options near by _
When I wanted to ride dressage tests I went to Stag Lodge 2 for weekly lessons and worked up through the tests in a large size 20 x 60 school, pony and me learning together, until I got my dream of riding a flying change.
The Covid epidemic put an end to my lessons and to be honest my return was a fiasco as I was given a pony in a bit that was not right for riding dressage tests and was steered by opening out ones hand.
Make it plain when you book that you want a horse that is in conventional tack and can actually ride a dressage test or two. And explain what you want to learn. Obviously I failed to do this when I booked my lesson last summer. One is always warned not to exagerate ones skills. I am old and need an easy horse, sure. But I dont want a horse that cant canter!
I learned a lot in those Stag Lodge dressage lessons that is useful out hacking solo. I learned to canter shapes, i.e. to steer and control canter rather than canter only when racing along straight tracks.
One freezing winter I had some interesting lessons with an older teacher at Chessington Riding Centre. There is also Kingston RS but I have never been to their new place. They used to have dressage horses and a dressage instructor.