Riding Schools around Preston- The good, bad, ugly?

[somethingorother]

Am at uni in Preston, have decided riding club is a rip-off and am now driving, sooo...

I had a look at riding schools and there seems to be quite a lot round here?!

Anyone got any recommendations, warnings or otherwise?

Was looking at Chorley Equestrian Centre since thats where the Riding club go, but its further than most others and looks expensive (?) Does look/sound good though...?

Thanks and cookies in advance

xx

 

[KMW]

not been there, but looks nice though. The lessons are supposed to be good though and the hacking looks really nice

 

[brighteyes]

What level are you at and what sort of stuff do you want to do?

 

[somethingorother]

Thanks KMW- it does sound good from what i've heard but is a good 20min away.

Brighteyes: As far as riding school levels go i usually ride on advanced lessons (at both riding schools i used back home) but i know theres a big difference between that and advanced riders in general- eg eventing etc.

I'd like to concentrate mostly on dressage (can do simple stuff eg shoulder in, half pass and that level is fine for now), i need a fair bit of 'touching up' on my position etc as haven't ridden since June. Also looking to do some jumping, as much stuff as possible really.

good hacking a bonus- don't have that at the ones near Manchester, but can always go to 2 different ones if somewhere is especially good for hacking and i fancy one.

 

[Cuffey]

Wrea Green
No personal experience but sons ex instructor teaches part time there since moving to Lancs so heard quite good things

 

[somethingorother]

Oh thankyou, i did see that one- might ring up and see about going for a look, cheers

 

[brighthair]

there's Hawthorn Equestrian Centre at Nateby too

 

[brighteyes]

Wrea Green is very good...

 

[brighthair]

Here's a few links

http://www.chorleyec.freeuk.com/ - I'd say you're looking at 15-20 mins from Preston

http://www.hawthorn-equestrian.co.uk/ - prob 15 mins from Preston, about 10 from Myerscough

couldn't find a site for Wrea Green?

 

[somethingorother]

hi thanks very much for the links. Do you live around there? any experience? I did find lots of numbers and websites but i always think its best to go off what people have experienced there when theres so many to choose from- i wish i had time to drive round them all and see which i liked.

 

[somethingorother]

thanks brighteyes! 2 votes then, i will give them a ring tomorrow

 

[somethingorother]

oh actually am just looking (yes im up late nothing do do lol) is Wrea green also known as Ribby hall? it came up on a search...?

 

[quirky]

I'd say Wrea Green also .... no, Ribby Hall is a different place altogether but is in a similar area.

 

[luckilotti]

Between Preston and Blackpool you have Ribby Hall, Wrea Green (do side saddle there also so maybe you might like to try that?) Elswick and i think there is another than i heard of once on here that i had never come across before but it wasnt rated much TBH from memory.
Have you considered getting a share instead? Or offering to ride for people? I have a few neds (not really dressge horses though) and have been known to advertise on the SU horsetalk bit for UCLAN as an ex student from there myself - the riding club is a def rip off! and i know a lot of people who ended up riding for others as it was cheaper and better than the unis riding club and lessons etc
I'd say throw a load of adverts up offering to ride for people, try all the norm horsey ad sites and maybe equi-talk.co.uk?

 

[somethingorother]

aw thanks luckilotti- thats really helpful

I'm thinking of having a look at wrea green and Ribby hall on wednesday. Have you been to Elswick? Any good? not heard of that one before.

I have toyed with the idea of a share, but i dont think i can give the commitment, especially if they wanted money. If im strapped for cash the odd weeks i can just not have a lesson, or fit them in when i can. I could probably only do one day a week tbh.

I will keep it in mind though over the next few weeks and thanks for the site suggestions!!

 

[brighthair]

yeah I live at Preston, I've riden at Chorley Eq Centre ages ago and now keep 2 share horses at Hawthorn

 

[Rachel_M]

Chorley equestrian centre, in my opinion, is not that great. I went their for many a year as a child and loved it. However, I went back as an adult a couple of years back and the attitude had just completely changed. Perhaps, as a child, I had rose tinted glasses, but I returned for one lesson and haven't been back since. The teaching their is lethargic and was the most uninspiring hour of my life.


EDITED TO ADD: Ribby Hall equestrian centre was really lovely. I remember a really nice grey there, a few years back now, who had a real good pop and was lovely to ride.

Oakfield didn't have great facilities, I am not sure whether that has changed but their indoor school was tiny and really downbeat. It was bought out by the people who own the shop on the site a few years back, I must wander down there and see whether they have made any improvements.

There was a riding school, just off the A6 heading to chorley that I can't remember the name off (memory blank). They had an indoor school (no outdoor) and a cross country course. However, I swear that school was the birth of riding school bitchiness.