Riding Clubs

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chestnut cob

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Does anyone have any recommendations for Riding Clubs in Berkshire/Hampshire area? I live in Newbury, horse is near Basingstoke. Transport will be sorted this week and I don't mind a bit of a drive to things.

I know of a couple of local small ones but having been to some of their comps in the past I would prefer something bigger I think. I don't really want one that's hugely competitive or bitchy (I know you always get that), but one with plenty of clinics etc would be great.

Any suggestions? Never been in a RC before as I've never had a horse that's consistent enough...
 
Well you are in prime Tadley RC country, don't know much about them but to be honest they don't seem to be very big or do very much.
Berkshire County would also be very near to you, they use Boomerang a fair bit, don’t know much about clinics with them though.
Thames Valley are a big and active club, they like you to be quite involved, they run a lot of things most of which are at BCA.
Hampshire Rural (of which I’m a member) does a bit, fairly team focussed and not as good on the clinic thing, but they seem to be starting to get a few things going.
Winchester RC is great for clinics, it’s a pretty low key RC, very friendly. Not affiliated to BHS but don’t let that put you off. It’s a bit of a trek for you to get to though.

They’ll all have websites so worth a look.

IMO Thames Valley or Berkshire County would probably be your best bet
 
Tadley have done some stuff at the yard and TBH their competitions have strange rules that mostly seem geared to the people running it being able to win all the competitions on their horses that aren't good enough to win outside (as in...you can ride in the Prelim tests even if your horse has BD points at Elem, so of course the two people who do that win everything...and the point is?!
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I might look at Berkshire County as Boomerang is a lovely facility. Thames Valley might be good too, happy to be a member of somewhere that likes involvement! It keeps me out of trouble
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Having never been in a RC before, can I call the Secretary of the one(s) I'm interested in for a chat before I go ahead and join? That's what I would do if there was a hunt I was interested in going out with, to see if they're for me or not.
 
go see if they have website, go onto www.bhs.org.uk and look under 'riding clubs' then look in 'finding a club', then look in your area and see if you like what you see. Most secretary will be happy to chat about their club etc........
Most RC are just a bigger versions of PC i my experience and very freindly
 
I've googled the ones B&J mentioned below and had a look over their websites. Thames Valley looks v competitive and I don't know if I would be competitive enough or up to the standard it seems like they want, which is why i'd like to have a chat with them really.

I assume the secretary is the correct person to call?
 
surely if there competitive, there should be lots of 'good instructors' at brilliantly priced rallies. At my RC our rallies vary between £12-£20 per head and max four in ride. And ours encourges any level.
In you don't phone you'll never find out, at ours we have memebership secreatry and so when new members joins RC, she has a chat, and then guides them to what level of instruction they want etc...
 
That's what I'm hoping for! When I say very competitive..I mean is it going to be a case of unless you're riding at a certain level they aren't interested (my plan is to BD and/or BSJA the new horse so it's not as though I've only sat on a horse a few times)...am probably worrying too much over nothing!

Will make some phone calls tomorrow
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defo are, you'll be surprise i bet you'll slot without problem. At mine we have folks who are chuffed just getting to a rally and there are others, that are out there competeting at BE, BSJA or BD and defo want rallies jump 3ft3 min at start etc..
I enjoy mine cos it does have a very wide cross section of abilitites but most of all it is meant to be fun.. away from the humm drum of working in the office!
 
TVRC will cater for whatever you want to do, if you are interested in teams then you can do that, if you want to do lessons then that fine. They also do club competitions, fun rides etc. Also do a fantastic summer camp that I'm planning on taking R to next year.
 
Please please please go with TVRC we arn't that competitive at all, definately not as bad as others in our area. I can tell you they are the most friendliest and welcoming bunch of people you can get in a riding club, i'm one of them! And so is my friend Emma_C who is on here too! She is in charge of the newsletter and could be the best person to contact for a freindly banter regarding any questions and queries,they do have a team you can join to compete in comps but it's only optional,there are lots of happy hackers that are members that come to our Le Trec days and fun rides,we really do cater for everyone,we have fab instruction and clinics for all kinds of levels. I havn't looked back since joining,the best £17 something i've spent i can tell you! If you want a chat feel free to P.M me.
 
Chestnut Cob: RC competition qualifiers start at 2ft 9" for SJ and XC and prelim for dressage and there's no pressure from the Riding Clubs HQ about anyone moving up a level unless they've exceeded the affiliated equivalent in prize money or points.

Go for it. I've had so much fun at my RC.
 
Hello! Just spotted this post and as fruity says I'm on the comittee for TVRC so if you want to know anything PM me. We are indeed a very friendly lot! You can do any level you want, all our lessons and competitions start at the most basic levels - walk/trot dressage tests, and up to 2'0 SJ/XC. We do also run poles and gridwork lessons for people wanting to do even smaller jumping. TBH you sound like your aspirations are about the same as mine, low level BSJA/local opens type stuff, and I (somehow) have been on the dressage sj and XC teams for the riding club this year, even going up to the National Championships in Lincoln in September....
So you really don't have to be some super amazing rider on a vastly expensive horse - my lad is 15hh arab who cost me £2k and had only ever gone fast in straight lines before I had him (endurance!).
The best thing I've found about TVRC is that everyone gets involved and has a chance to do whatever they want, and whatever type/age of horse you have, it doesn't matter! For example of our two XC teams the other week, one had a 15hh HW cob, my 15hh arab, a 15.2 andalusian dressage stallion and a 4yr old WB! The other had a 14hh NF, a 15.2 cob, and a 16.3hh hunter with ringbone (don't worry, he's totally sound!).
So thats waht I mean about very inclusive - we do have a lot of fun and I've made some good new friends too!
E.x
 
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