Wheal Buller Riding School

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mypegasus

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Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone had ever been to Wheal Buller for an adult riding holiday?

If so, what did you think?

How much could you ride? Could you put together your own package of lessons etc?

Thanks in advance

Any other recommendations would be gratefully received?
 
I went in June 2011. I had a lovely time.

I went alone and as it happened there were no other bookings that week, so I was in the house on my own (which actually suited me fine - I loved having peace and quiet in the evenings to read and not have to interact with anyone!).

It also meant that my 'riding programme' for the week was exactly tailored to whatever I wanted to do, and completely flexible if I changed my mind throughout the day.

Lots on offer - most mornings I had an hour lesson (I was unlucky with the weather so was mostly in the indoor school), then a break, then a lunge lesson, then lunch, then maybe another lesson after lunch, then a hack. I certainly got my money's worth of riding and tuition!

There are flat lessons, show-jumping, side saddle, western riding (I didn't do that), a cross country course and beach rides - I went to the beach to ride once on my week.

I wasn't a beginner, but more of an 'experienced novice' and was currently undergoing confidence issues with my own horse, which is why I went - I certainly came home with some confidence.

I, ahem, also came home with their star mare, so unfortunately if you do go you won't be able to ride her! :p
 
I would hold off on WB personally, wouldn't fund them, the type of yard that rides and leads 8 odd horses along a very busy road... irresponsible, not good to their staff either from what Ive heard. Newton Livery is in this area too and I have heard far more positive stuff about them.
 
Christmas Camel said:
JennJ ... you weren't the demon that stole Tilda were you? If so, I truly hate you :D;)

xx
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Who? Moi? :p:p:p

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Queenbee said:
I would hold off on WB personally, wouldn't fund them, the type of yard that rides and leads 8 odd horses along a very busy road... irresponsible, not good to their staff either from what Ive heard. Newton Livery is in this area too and I have heard far more positive stuff about them.
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Of course there are always going to be good and bad reports about everything, but OP, in *my* experience I would say go for it.

And I'm friends with quite a few of their staff on facebook, and they all seem happy there :)
 
Oh my days! I wondered what happened to her.

Out of all the horses I have ever ridden she is probably the one that sticks out most to me, she was the kindest most beautifully schooled (for such a chunk) horse going, I'm so pleased she has a lovely home. She's looking ace :D

xx
 
Christmas Camel said:
Oh my days! I wondered what happened to her.

Out of all the horses I have ever ridden she is probably the one that sticks out most to me, she was the kindest most beautifully schooled (for such a chunk) horse going, I'm so pleased she has a lovely home. She's looking ace :D

xx
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She's absolutely my horse of a lifetime.

I've never known a horse with as genuine a nature as her, and in many ways she's an equine version of me (for both good and bad points, lol). I dread the day I lose her as I'd never find another like her.

If you're ever over Surrey way and want to visit her, give me a shout :)
 
JenJ said:
Of course there are always going to be good and bad reports about everything, but OP, in *my* experience I would say go for it.

And I'm friends with quite a few of their staff on facebook, and they all seem happy there :)
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Yep, all I am saying is whilst they may do good holidays (can't comment on that) they are not very reputable down here... I live 10 miles away and used to live 1 mile away, have taken my mare there to use the indoor school (was not impressed with their staff/customer service) and I really wouldn't take a dead horse on their xc course. As a RS it has an awful rep locally.
 
I rode a couple of times at Wheal Buller, almost put me off riding ever again, they didn't go out of their way to make you feel at all comfortable, in fact they were downright rude. I only went for a hack or 2 though not a holiday. I moved to a nearby place who were great and after 12 months of twice a week bought my first horse. (after a 20 year gap from childhood riding)
 
JenJ said:
She's absolutely my horse of a lifetime.

I've never known a horse with as genuine a nature as her, and in many ways she's an equine version of me (for both good and bad points, lol). I dread the day I lose her as I'd never find another like her.

If you're ever over Surrey way and want to visit her, give me a shout :)
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Thats lovely to hear, she deserves a wonderful home, my OH watched me have a lesson on her once and at the end he was amazed 'at what an amazing rider I was' (he had never seen me ride on anything other than a hack before) of course, I'm not an amazing rider at all it's just Tilda was so genuine and obliging and covered up my inadequecies! ... he soon realised how truly ungifted I am when I rode 'Harvey' in a private flatwork lesson a year later - I'd say his illusions were shattered! lol.

I'll definitely holler if ever in Surrey, thankyou :)

Queenbee said:
Yep, all I am saying is whilst they may do good holidays (can't comment on that) they are not very reputable down here... I live 10 miles away and used to live 1 mile away, have taken my mare there to use the indoor school (was not impressed with their staff/customer service) and I really wouldn't take a dead horse on their xc course. As a RS it has an awful rep locally.
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I have always found the owners lovely, a couple of the instructors are a bit surly but most of them have been lovely and helpful.

xx
 
Went on a riding holiday there around 11 years ago but as I live locally I know their rep. I wouldn't go there on the basis of more recent reports of their tuition.. A friend went for a side saddle lesson there and they put her novice friend (the girl can walk, trot and canter non riding school horses so not totally novice) on a horse who looked extremely worried about the whole situation and said horse proceeded to buck her friend off. Neither of them have tried side saddle since - both put off! Don't think the horse had been broken to side saddle hence the reaction!

I also know of friends who went to Newton (I live very locally to them - minutes away) and friends had an awful time. She even got off and refused to ride any further as said horse had bolted three times with her!!! Have also heard a few stories locally too..

Good luck with your riding holiday!
 
I went a couple of years ago, the riding was fabulous and they had nice horses but I was treated like a complete numpty and felt patronised a lot of the time.
 
Christmas Camel said:
I have always found the owners lovely, a couple of the instructors are a bit surly but most of them have been lovely and helpful.

xx
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Oooh errr, I really can't comment on the owners online:o

Koko, their horse are lovely, I had the pleasure of backing a youngster bred by them and sold on, he ended up with a friend, I helped back him... such a dude, he then got sold to another friend and he has proved to be an absolute star.
 
My 3 older girls have been there several times on holiday and loved it.

It is MUCH less structured than somewhere like Wellington, but the hacking is lovely & they have some nice horses & ponies. My now 14yo went once when she was 8 and again when she was 11 or 12. On her first visit, she hadn't yet cantered when she arrived (our instructor at home considered our pony too strong / forward for her to learn to canter on) & was cantering / jumping / doing mini XC by the end of a week. On her 2nd visit she was in the 'top' group riding a green but lovely little 5yo NF who hadn't been used in the school before and had a fantastic time.
 
I've been many times. Loads of riding to be had but yes, staff are not the best. Remember some ginger one laying into me on my first year because I couldn't get one of the ponies in the water. I was very novice. Made me get off and got an experienced rider on the mare who also couldn't get her in and then exclaimed that the only reason the experienced rider couldn't get her in was because I had 'let her get away with it' I was very young and shy so upset me a lot.
 
I have had friends go there and on a beach ride they were expected to swop horses and walk on foot half way... Not sure how true or not that is mind
 
Friend is a livery there as she actually bought a horse off them. I went out for a hack with her on one of their horses. A huge cobby 17hander who really looked after me being 5ft3!! No experience of them other wise though unfortunately. I know the kids all seem to love it there!!
 
I went there a while ago, i didnt find the horses especially well schooled but they do look after you. i didnt get to go on a beach ride during my time as they will only get the lorry out for 3+ people. I asked how many horses they have trained for sidesaddle and they said they just put the saddle on whichever horse they have, so i dont think they break their horses as such. i enjoyed my time there but i wouldnt go again its too far away. id like to try murthwaite green in the lake district
 
I went there as a teenager in the 90's...it was ace for a riding holiday. Remember going on the beach and up a zig zag trail up a very big hill. Also remember a massive 17hh cob/shire type horse that was really really fast!!
 
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