Gavin
New User
I’m Gavin I’m 32 living in Coventry. Iv always loved horses from a young age but never had the chance much to be around them. Looking for lessons really and to meet new friends
Looking at meeting new people
- Thread starter Gavin
- Start date
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
Welcome! Hopefully riding schools will be open again soon, as lockdown lifts. I think many are not doing new riders immediately though, as they need more hands on help, which is against distancing. Hopefully it will be quite soon that we open up properly.
Meanwhile, as shows/events start up, why not see if they need a volunteer helper? Events are always short if helpers. I have volunteered at events, it is a fabulous day out and some roles can be quite social.
Meanwhile, as shows/events start up, why not see if they need a volunteer helper? Events are always short if helpers. I have volunteered at events, it is a fabulous day out and some roles can be quite social.
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Volunteering is a great idea.
There's a sort of grapevine among organisers of horse events; once one knows that you're willing to help, they'll all be after you
There's a sort of grapevine among organisers of horse events; once one knows that you're willing to help, they'll all be after you
Sprat
Well-Known Member
Depending on what discipline appeals to you, Swallowfield Equestrian aren't a million miles away from you, as well as Weston Lawns. When life returns back to normal I'm sure both venues would welcome volunteers on show days (Swallowfield are generally dressage, WL showjumping). In terms of where to go for lessons I'm not overly up to date with what is available in the local area, but I know that Onely EC have a riding school so it may be worth enquiring with them.
Lands Eventing are run throughout Warwickshire, and always pull a decent crowd and are often asking for volunteers so that may be a good place to start.
Lands Eventing are run throughout Warwickshire, and always pull a decent crowd and are often asking for volunteers so that may be a good place to start.
TheOldTrout
Completely Unknown Member
Whereabouts in Coventry? I grew up there. My family lived in Styvechale.
Gavin
New User
I’m currently in Binley I used to be a carpenter until I got attacked with two knives and lost all my confidence. All this is to help me get back to normal and get my confidence back around people and hopefully make new friends as Iv isolated myself away from people. Just trying to make the first few steps to make my life that little bit better.
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
That's such a horrific thing to happen, no wonder you are having confidence issues.
It's such a shame that we have this horrible pandemic, but as others have said, once things are up and running again there will be plenty that you can do.
In the meantime, if it sounds like something that may interest you, you could read this book. The Spell of the Horse by Pam Billinge
It's such a shame that we have this horrible pandemic, but as others have said, once things are up and running again there will be plenty that you can do.
In the meantime, if it sounds like something that may interest you, you could read this book. The Spell of the Horse by Pam Billinge
Gavin
New User
Thanks so much I will look into it
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
That sounds awful.
Volunteering at a BE event sounds like it would be perfect. It tends to be very, erm, civilised. Morning briefing, free bacon sandwiches, a pack up, possibly home made cake, and, if you are lucky, a bottle of wine to take home. If you ask on here, I'm sure people can advise as to your local friendly event. Also, events are in a large open area, so not too claustrophobic.
Our local riding club also runs an event and is always asking for volunteers.
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
If you go on britisheventing.com and click on About there there's section on how to volunteer
Possibly with your skills you might be able to get involved on the course building side as well as the normal volunteer roles
Possibly with your skills you might be able to get involved on the course building side as well as the normal volunteer roles
HappyHollyDays
Slave to a house cat, 4 yard cats and 2 ponies
As you are a carpenter Lloyd at LandS Eventing may be somebody to approach as a volunteer. Jumps probably need mending occasionally.
Follysmum
Well-Known Member
Gavin you are only a village away from Brandon where Paula Potter runs castle hill riding school. This could be a starting point for you.
COldNag
Wasting my time successfully....
LandS Eventing are fantastic to volunteer for. I'd definitely recommend looking them up.
ponyparty
Well-Known Member
When riding schools reopen check out the RDA National Training Centre in Shrewley. They do lessons for able-bodied people as well as disabled, and have a mechanical horse which you could maybe master the basics on before getting on a real horse - might be quite useful in a covid situation actually! I’ve got a voucher for a rider biomechanics session on it that I can’t wait to use once lockdown lifts ? and they’re lovely people there, which is a bonus!
Renvers
Well-Known Member
Welcome to H&H. There are a lot of horsey activities around Coventry. Riding School wise there is Castle Hill near you and Moor Farm Stables in Corley do have a fair number of male riders if you would take more confidence from being in mixed groups.
There are several riding clubs who welcome volunteers to help run events. Stoneleigh Riding Club run a 2 day event (in normal times) and are always asking for volunteers. They are really friendly https://www.stoneleighridingclub.com/
The RDA also have a centre in Shrewley nearby which might want volunteers and also have a mechanical horse to help with riding lessons too https://lowlandsfarm.ecpro.co.uk/
There are several riding clubs who welcome volunteers to help run events. Stoneleigh Riding Club run a 2 day event (in normal times) and are always asking for volunteers. They are really friendly https://www.stoneleighridingclub.com/
The RDA also have a centre in Shrewley nearby which might want volunteers and also have a mechanical horse to help with riding lessons too https://lowlandsfarm.ecpro.co.uk/
Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
How about, COVID permitting, volunteering at your local Riding school or horse rescue?
I'm sure both would be grateful of any help, though may be worth checking with them around how many helpers they can have at a time due to COVID.
It would be for a rewarding cause, especially the rescue centre and there would be other volunteers to meet too, who I should imagine will be friendly. In addition to the usual horse care tasks, if you can still do some carpentry after your horrific experience, both the rs and rescue would probably jump at the chance of having someone who can fix things too!
You'd also be learning more around horse care etc too- if you helped out at the rs you could have your lesson then stay for the morning/ day and help out with some chores. Eventually, depending on the rs, you could potentially loan one of their horses, something others may be doing so you could ride with them. When restrictions allow, you could join a group lesson too
I'm sure both would be grateful of any help, though may be worth checking with them around how many helpers they can have at a time due to COVID.
It would be for a rewarding cause, especially the rescue centre and there would be other volunteers to meet too, who I should imagine will be friendly. In addition to the usual horse care tasks, if you can still do some carpentry after your horrific experience, both the rs and rescue would probably jump at the chance of having someone who can fix things too!
You'd also be learning more around horse care etc too- if you helped out at the rs you could have your lesson then stay for the morning/ day and help out with some chores. Eventually, depending on the rs, you could potentially loan one of their horses, something others may be doing so you could ride with them. When restrictions allow, you could join a group lesson too
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