Riding clubs - Are they worth it?

[Bustalot]

I have been looking at joining a local riding club. But not sure if it is worth it. The one i have been looking at seem to do a lot for teams but doesn't appear to do many just everyday shows. They offer jumping clinics and camps etc. So all looks quite good fun and good for improving me and baby horse.

But the stage where baby horse and I are at the moment we aren't going to be picked for any teams for a while, still a lot to learn! Yes, we can put together a 60+% prelim dressage test, but not a lot else! Jumping is a work in progress. But I would love to get involved with the riding club teams and the qualifiers and finals etc would really give me a focus to work towards. Just not sure if it would be worth joining a club now or leaving it another year till we are established a bit more.

For what reasons are you part of riding club? Or maybe you aren't for any particular reason?

If you are part of a riding club, what are they like from the inside? I hear they can be quite cliquey to get onto the teams etc.

Want to hear the good and bad stories

 

[RCP Equestrian]

I was part of an RC for a few years when I was younger with my first horse. Was invaluable experience for us both and really helped us to the next level.

My RC never did trials or anything to get on the teams (not sure about others) but also others in my area didn't either, it was just a case of putting your name forward and for what height and you were put on a team, so everyone got an equal chance

Definitely worth joining

 

[Baggybreeches]

I was a member of several riding clubs as a junior (20+ years ago!) and each one was different, one was very team driven and I was fortunate to be good/mad enough to be on the eventing/show jumping teams, we qualified for finals and had team camps all over the place. Another RC was my most local one decent standard competition but no teams or training sessions. And the last one was another that was an incredibly high standard but was a newly established club and not yet registered with BRC.
I found them all thoroughly enjoyable and I still sometime judge if asked, though I don't compete anymore (due to business commitments).
Have a go and see what you think

 

[ellie_e]

Yes they are worth it IF you get the right club for you! There are a few local to me, 1 is very small, friendly, hold little shows and is great but does nothing with BRC teams, or go away to camp.
Another holds weekly lessons, does camp, teams etc etc, however very clicky, instruction is with 1 person only, so If you dont like their way of teaching etc its pointless.
Another is great, holds twice weekly lessons with different trainers, camp, teams, trips to Badminton, YHL etc, friendly and somewhere I know my naughty horse will be accepted.
The final club is busy, and mainly for younger children.
Do your research into the clubs local to you, everyone will tell you theirs is the best but ask around on your yard etc. Clubs are a good way to meet people, and introduce young horses to the world.

 

[Lolo]

You have to get the right club. My family was very involved in the local one for a pretty long time (7/8 years committee, and we've been members for 10+ years now!) but have taken a bit more of a backseat recently- being so involved took the shine off it for us.

Shop around a bit, and then decide. Only doing prelim is enough for dressage teams!

 

[EllieandGeorge]

If you get a good one then yes! Don't cost much to join anyway so even if you only do the odd event it can be worth it.
The riding club Im in hold lessons about twice weekly, clinics, training for events (area qualifiers etc), hold members only showjumping, dressage, and combined trainings, run a hunter trial as well I think!

 

[Goldenstar]

I am the one I am in mainly organises training courses it's good fun.

 

[MiaBella]

I think its also worth remembering that riding clubs are run by volunteers, and quite often the easiest way to pick a team is go by the people you know/see regularly/have contacted you. They don't have time to sit going down lists of results and 'picking' people, if you contact them and let them know your level etc you are more likely to get selected to go on a team. Helping out at a couple of events also is a good way to meet people and become involved.

I like riding clubs for young horses, find training sessions in a group is a good way of getting a young horse used to working with others in different venues. I also like the teams and the comps they run too (and the riding clubs I have been a member of also do annual awards which include most improved horse/rider, good club supporter etc, not just who won the most prizes during the year).

I picked the club I joined most recently (lucky to have a few around) because of the training they offered, the days they trained on and the instructors on offer were what I was after (as were the small group sessions).

Most clubs get a bit cliquey - I think you have to accept that, its just that some people have been there years and have known each other years, but most are quite friendly and if you offer to help, show enthusiasm you generally find them accepting and open.

My old club would enter as many teams as there were people that wanted to do a team (so it wasn't just the 'best' but anyone who put their name forward) which generally made it a fun day out and very inclusive (you did still have to put your name forward though)

 

[Santa_Claus]

Depends on the club!

Ours allows anyone who wants to do areas to do them so teams are not actually 'picked'.

We also run camps instruction and a fair few events including specialist novice shows. Where about are you in country? (Can't tell from phone!) as I'm sure we could suggest some 'good' clubs local to you

 

[humblepie]

I joined one last year for the first time as I wanted to get a horse out to clinics. It has been really beneficial in getting him out and about and have good instructors as well at realistic prices.

They also do a lot of social activities as well.

As others have said, I think it probably depends on finding the right club for you. There is a choice of probably four or five where I live (on the edge of various areas) so do some research. One of them did all their clinics weekdays which isn't a lot of use if you work so it is worth researching.

 

[Nicnac]

I'm on the committee of our local club which has great facilities and loads going on. We have rubber 20 x 60m school, show jumping field and rubber lane for jumping and cross country course.

Regular training with good instructors, clinics, grassroots competitions such as test and retest after instruction, higher level training, Hunter Trials, Eventers Challenge, we hold area competitions, annual show. Do informal comps for Dsg, Sj and CT on summer evenings.

It's really friendly and you only have to volunteer for a minimum of 2 events a year.

Teams are picked on who has said they are interested and we send up to 3 teams sometimes if lots of people are keen.

Gosh I sound like I'm advertising

 

[Bustalot]

Thanks all for your experiences. I am based in Essex so if any one has any recommendations in my area that would be good

Think there are only a few in my area which are actually registered with the BRC so only a few that are able to enter teams etc.

Will have to ask around I think and get some ideas

 

[coffeeandabagel]

I love my riding club, and have found its very friendly and welcoming to newbies. Its the second one I tried - the other just didnt offer as varied a range of activities.

I have been to camp and done several clinics and some of their comps plus regular group lessons. I think you get out what you put in so my husband has been a helper at a team event and I have helped at a show too.

I was in a team SJ comp last year and doing combined training on Sunday.
Without the club I would have been a happy hacker and this has given me the confidnece to try other stuff. I won the Most Improved Adult Rider award last year which was so cool!