Schools in Bucks

[horseygal90]

Bit of a long shot maybe, but I'm looking to get a few private lessons every fortnight or so whilst I learn to drive and save for a car (at which point I'll hopefully get a loan).

I'd like private lessons because up until now, I've pretty much always been in a group which I've prefered for the social side of things, however now I want to concentrate more on getting my riding to a better standard which will be easier with one to one teaching! I want to improve my jumping confidence and my flatwork positon.

I'm looking for a school in the middle Bucks area - As close to Aylesbury as possible. I'm considering giving Hideaway Farm a ring, I used to ride/work there when I was younger, we're talking 2003 when I left! Since then it's changed hands so I'd be keen to hear any views on it. Shardeloes is another possibility but I think Amersham is probably going to be too far, plus I have no idea what their prices are like or their tuition standard is!

 

[yipster]

I live in Aylesbury and started riding again at the begining of the year after a 2 year break.
I've been going to Hastoe Hill in Tring and they are lovely! Would highly recommend it, although i've stopped going now as have just taken a horse on loan.

Good luck

 

[also_shasha]

Word of caution, stay clear of Liscombe. I went there for a few lessons years ago, and I ended up riding a mare that clearly had a back problem and was in some discomfort. She was a working livery. I ended up being bucked off her when we were told to canter. Later a livery owner came up to me and jokingly said "You lasted alot longer than most!" My friend went there for a lesson 6 months later and ended up riding the same mare and her lesson ended up with her in Stoke Mandeville for 2 weeks when the mare went into a bucking frenzy! What urked me was that as soon as I got on the mare before the lesson started, all of a sudden there was this audience of livery owners and the staff gathered to watch the lesson - they obviously knew what was going to happen because they had seen it all before! Really shocking and Im surprised they are still operating as a riding school!

 

[mystiandsunny]

I think they have changed hands recently.

 

[PnO]

Hey, I used to ride at hideaway farm too! Probably left in around 2003 too as got a ride at another yard and now have two of my own. I still know a few people who ride there and the new owners sound really nice and apparntly have some quite good more advanced horses and a new instructor they brought with them. PM me if you like, it would be interesting to see if we know one another! x

 

[horseygal90]

PnO, I've pmed you back

I've ridden at Hastoe before, tbh I was less than impressed - More than one time we were ordered around by the liveries (once we were told to go into the school and mount/do girths etc. by the RI, however when we got to the school there were three or four girls playing chase me charlie and they told us that we would either have to go out or put up with it!) However it was a few years ago, 2004 I think? We weren't there for long.

Liscombe I'm surprised to hear about, I wasn't considering it but one of my old riding instructors broke away from there and looking at the liveries that she bought with her to her new yard... I'm not surprised that they just stood around and watched you in anticipation.

Thanks guys