Recommend a riding centre in the London/East London area please

[glenruby]

Hey guys. My sister is living in Central/East London and is looking to get back into horses after a few years break. We had ponies as teenagers but she has only ridden occasionally since going to college 7 years ago. She moved to London 5years ago and has decided she would like to take up horse riding again. She is a fairly competent rider but obviously quite rusty. She plans to hunt in Ireland next winter if all goes well. Can anyone recommend a good place to take lessons in or around London. She has a car and can travel a bit. May be interested in a share in the future. Thanks!

 

[Its_A_Rollover]

hmm I dont know anywhere to ride in east london but I know a few in other areas of london:

in north london there is the north london equestrian centre and then a few around st albans. there are a few in Mill hill and theres Westway riding school. I think Moat end farm...

in west london theres ealing riding school - only good for beginners really and if you know about horses it can make you sad to be there for the poor horses

then theres Hyde park stables

Kingston riding centre

Sorry not much use as none of those are East London!

 

[girla]

There are two i can think of

Mudchute farm in London Docklands

Lee Valley / Leabridge not sure riding centre

To be honest your sister sounds as if she is a competent rider, so i don't think Mudchute would suit. But Lee Valley are very well equiped (haven't been there for many years) and might suit her better. She should be able to get there details of the internet easy enough.

 

[ElaP]

I rode at two in South East london when I was living there. The first was Mayfield RS, Tatsfield, small and friendly - I went there after a break of a few years, and it was nice to start slow but I didn't feel I was progressing much after a few times. Then I went to Mount Mascal in Bexley - it is HUGE, and very much an 'in and out' place (it's a show and PC centre as well I think, and they even have a reception area where you wait for your horse/instructor...); however, my instructor was very good and challenged me a lot (too much sometimes!), Emma O I think, young blonde. Nice horses there as they deal, so have some good 'uns for use in the school. There are loads of schools in Bexley, so perhaps a bit of shopping around there? Both the above have websites.

Hope that helps!

 

[fairyclare]

There is a riding school in Beckton, Docklands equestrian centre, Claps Gate Lane E6 which is East London.

 

[glenruby]

Thanks guys. You've been really helpful!

 

[Theresa_F]

I know someone who regularly rides at Lea Valley and very much rate it.

If you want to get out into Epping Forest, then you have High Beech Riding School.

 

[callalily]

Thought I'd register myself and say a quick thank you to all who took the time to reply to my sister's post!

I think I will try out the Bexley riding school ElaP mentioned. I had heard great things about Lea Valley, and a friend who lives in Wanstead goes there regularly. When I lived in North London it was one I planned on going to eventually (and never got round to it.. you know how these things go!) but as I now live near Whitechapel, it ought to be easy enough to get out to Bexley... Tomtom planner says it should take about 40 minutes and it's rarely wrong! Because I haven't ridden in so long I think I'd be happy for someone to push me a bit so I can catch up faster.

Thanks again for the help - I may just pop back afterward and let you know how I get on. Now, good God, what am I going to wear? I haven't seen my jodhs since I was about 17...!

Calla x

 

[callalily]

Ok have called them, and all set up for a lesson tomorrow. I thought they might have boots they loan to new riders but apparently not. I guess I have until tomorrow to find something in my shoe cupboard which isn't a stiletto or a trainer (city living you see..), which is annoying as I have perfectly good boots at home in Ireland... Oh well!

 

[OWLIE185]

There is also Trent Park that has good facilitities and instructors which is in North London close to Oakwood/Cockfosters station.

 

[DuckToller]

I'd recommend Lea Valley too, but there is also Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre in Ilford. It's on the Central Line - Newbury Park - but you'd need a taxi as it's a couple of miles walk I think so maybe better in the car!

Not been there for years but might be worth a try,

 

[Theresa_F]

Hope you enjoy your lesson - I also know of Aldersbrook Riding School which are in Wanstead - actually 5 mins from me. I did consider livery there, but they don't have any grass t/o, just in a school, hence I travel 15 miles to Epping for my two - things we do for those we love

I did have some lessons years ago at High Beech and they were nice horses to ride, sensible but not plods.

 

[Divasmum]

If you look on www.hoof-in-town.com you can find out lots of things about riding in London including stables in each borough.

 

[ElaP]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought they might have boots they loan to new riders but apparently not. I guess I have until tomorrow to find something in my shoe cupboard which isn't a stiletto or a trainer (city living you see..), which is annoying as I have perfectly good boots at home in Ireland... Oh well!

[/ QUOTE ]

You might be able to pop in to Frogpool manor (again they have a website I think) on your way over (although might be well out of the way!). Grab some cheap jod boots? It's quite a big shop so should have some reasonable stuff (although last time i went in I went slightly mad with the shopping - went for cheap boots, came out with Mountain Horse...)

 

[callalily]

Thanks - we ended up doing a quick run to Decathlon this afternoon for some cheap boots as I actually don't own any shoes that aren't flipflops, stilettos or trainers... came back with jodh boots, nice comfy jodhpurs and gloves for less than £40 all in.

It took a massive effort to leave the half-chaps behind, remembering how comfy my old ones were... but I can't buy the whole place out in one go after not riding for years!!