Returning to UK

J

Janet 54

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21 October 2025
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I have returned to the UK after living in the US since 1959. I had my first riding lesson in 1960, got my first horse in 1965.
We are buying a house in Radstock, Somerset.
I have left both my horses (both Connemara x TB) in the US. The younger one was sold to a teenaged boy. The older one (29 yo) is at a retirement farm run by a friend.
I do not intend to buy another horse in the UK, but would like to connect with the local horse community.
My primary interest is Combined Training aka Eventing, and I am a licensed TD in the US, as well as having been on various local and national committees.
I have been a frequent poster on the (US) Chronicle of the Horse forums.
 
Welcome back to the Uk @Janet 54 ! 😊

As mentioned above, the British Eventing website will be a good place to look at opportunities for getting involved in eventing - fence judging and other volunteering roles. Am I right in thinking that when you say "TD" that you are an eventing Technical Delegate? If so, then definitely head to BE! 😊
 
Hello and welcome. What a huge move for you, hope you enjoy it.

I’m not sure of your area but I think Badgworth EC would be close and you could take a visit to Pontispool near Taunton and Chard. Both very busy show centres.
You’ll be able to see which riding clubs are hiring at Pontispool as they do a lot of camps and get involved that way.
Also Stockland Lovell would be further up but not sure how busy they are nowadays.
 
Gosh that is a big change after so long. Hope you settle in well. You are in a good area to be able to access many BE events . Also to get your eye in with things before the next season Chard Equestrian is near you and they have many events affiliated and unaffilated SJ, Dressage and a horse trials and maybe arena eventing not sure on the last one all year round .
What part of the US have you been living hope Somerset is not to much of a shock to the system!
 
I grew up in New York, about an hour north of New York City. Since leaving grad. school, I have lived in Virginia, about an hour west of Washington DC.

No, Somerset has not been a shock to the system. In July/August my husband was complaining about the lack of air conditioning, but I was being glad we were not getting the Virginia weather, multiple weeks with temperatures above 85 F (30 C). The longer days in summer have been great, but the shorter days in winter will take getting used to. The biggest hurdle has been getting a UK bank account. In house hunting the biggest difference has been the lack of basements and the lack of screens on the windows.

Thanks for the suggestions. We will not be too far from Badminton, and plan to see that.
 
Welcome back to the UK! I'll be really fascinated to hear how you find the English horse world in comparison to the US so please do keep us updated.

Echo the others in suggesting BE as they will have the opportunities for getting involved with affiliated eventing. A local riding club would offer a lower level but more social aspect. If you're wanting to ride but not wanting to commit to your own horse, you could look at a share or something locally.
 
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