riding lessons North Leeds/Wetherby?

[teacups]

Hello all, from a long-time lurker

I noticed there are a number of Yorkshire people here, and wondered whether any of you could help me.
I've been trying to find out whether there is a place which will give riding lessons somewhere roughly around the A58 route from Leeds - Wetherby.

There seem to be quite a few livery yards, but I can't find anywhere with lessons. Someone told me there is a place in Wike which does, but I can't find any details.

Anyone with some local knowledge?

I'm happy to answer any questions - just trying to keep this short. Please also excuse any other initial etiquette mistakes I might make - hopefully very few.

 

[Boulty]

http://www.cliffordmoorfarm.co.uk/riding-school.html

Going to admit I know nothing about them, just came across their website when having an idle browse at livery yards in the general area but they're in the area you're looking at and claim to be long established so may be worth a look

 

[MuddyTB]

Hillcroft Farm in Sicklinghall is brilliant...only a couple of miles from Wetherby.
Also there was Westways Riding School at Thorner.

 

[ladyt25]

Go to Yvonne Lowthers - Hillcroft Farm stables in Sicklinghall. I rode there many many moons ago (well, before the stables are where they are now and before they had the facilities they do. I am old! Lol). Anyway, they have fab hacking round there and have sand arenas these days so can cater for all abilities.

 

[ladyt25]

Hillcroft Farm in Sicklinghall is brilliant...only a couple of miles from Wetherby.
Also there was Westways Riding School at Thorner.

Oh, touche!

Westways closed many years ago now - it was very very run down anyway.

 

[teacups]

http://www.cliffordmoorfarm.co.uk/riding-school.html

Going to admit I know nothing about them, just came across their website when having an idle browse at livery yards in the general area but they're in the area you're looking at and claim to be long established so may be worth a look

Thanks for the link

I know of them - but as I noticed that the place was up for sale (a couple of months ago or so), I assumed they were shutting down. Hmmm. If they're not, I might consider them myself!

It's with my niece in mind (13 3/4) - I wanted to find her somewhere fairly close to home, so that she can potentially use public transport + feet to get there, or so that it's not too far out for her non-horsey mum to drive. However, her mum works full-time, so if she could get to a place under her own steam that would have been nice.

I think Clifford might involve at least one change of bus for her.

 

[teacups]

Oh, touche!

Westways closed many years ago now - it was very very run down anyway.

Thanks ladyt & muddytb - my niece used to ride at Westways at one point. It was indeed quite run down when I saw it. She enjoyed it there, but I didn't think the quality of the teaching was particularly good tbh. ladyt25 - I'm also old!

Hillcroft is very well-loved, isn't it? I've contacted them once for lessons for myself - couldn't get through for months. No answerphone and no reply, so I was not that impressed at the time. I also thought their prices (for adults, anyway) were pretty steep at the time - not sure what their prices are now, or for teens. It'll also mean she definitely has to rely on mum to get there.

Thanks for all the replies so far - have any of you got enough local knowledge to say there definitely isn't anywhere you can have lessons between, Leeds ring road and Wetherby?

 

[ladyt25]

There is nowhere between Wetherby and the ring road as far as I know no. I lived in Bardsey most of my life and now live nearer to the ring road. Wood Farm on the A58 used to be a riding school when at its previous location (Scarcroft - Mount Pleasant Farm). There is nothing in Wike other than livery yards our stable are between Bardsey and Wike so I know the stables round there. There used to be one in East Keswick, very small, called Rose Cottage I think? I think that is a livery yard only now though.

I am pretty sure Sicklinghall will be about the nearest one and the best one as far as hacking and horses is concerned. I would imagine the prices are par of the course these days - bit more than the £3/hr we used to pay those years ago!!! Lol. You get what you pay for though I guess.

 

[teacups]

Thank you so much - that's really useful info

I think Mount Pleasant may have been where I rode for a while when I was at Leeds uni - a very different style was taught there. I had no idea, and dutifully unlearnt everything I'd been taught as a child.
Got back into riding again a few years ago in my early 40s, and had to start from scratch again - feel a lot happier about it this time round

Bardsey must have been a great place to grow up and still very nice now, you lucky thing you I lived in the city for years, but am now in a village and love it.

Have heard before that the hacking is excellent around Sicklinghall, as is the tuition - just can't see her mum being very keen, especially since there would be little for her to do whilst waiting. Ho hum, will have to think.

And the prices, ooh yes lol - when I rang Sicklinghall at the time it was just with the intention to go for a hack with OH, and if I'm right it (don't hold me to this: might be wrong) was almost £30 per hour for an adult/1hr group lesson. Hacks were the same price, so we went to a place near Helmsley instead - over there you can get a 2-hr hack in stunning countryside plus have a very good Sunday lunch for £60

 

[MuddyTB]

I am pretty sure Sicklinghall will be about the nearest one and the best one as far as hacking and horses is concerned. I would imagine the prices are par of the course these days - bit more than the £3/hr we used to pay those years ago!!! Lol. You get what you pay for though I guess.

Ladyt25 I think we must have ridden there around the same time, I paid £3 too. Many a good day spent there!

 

[Kaylum]

There is nothing in Wike other than livery yards our stable are between Bardsey and Wike so I know the stables round there. There used to be one in East Keswick, very small, called Rose Cottage I think? I think that is a livery yard only now though.

yes it was called Rose Croft I worked there until we got too big for the place and moved.

Brilliant hacking round that way. We used to meet the Sicklinghall guys out on their rides. So yes thorner or sicklinghall. Thorner is not too bad to get to by car.

 

[DressageCob]

I used to ride at Follifoot Park Riding Centre before I left the area. Absolutely brilliant place- great horses, great facilities, really good hacking, lots going on. This is the website: http://www.horseridingcentre.co.uk/

Clifford Moor may have changed since I was there (looooong time ago), but it was appalling then. But like I say, it may have changed.

But 10,000 stars to Follifoot....brilliant school

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

other end of Leeds but just a little off the A58 near Leeds City Centre is Back Lane Riding School, fabulous reputation and the staff are wonderful. Never personally had a lesson there as moved to Leeds with my own horses from Newcastle, however I keep mine local to the riding school and know the instructors and owners pretty well, everyone I know in the area learned mostly at Back Lane and everyone reccommends them highly.

It may be too far out as it really is the other end of Leeds but thought it was worth mentioning.