Ladyinred
Well-Known Member
OMG thats when I was taking my AI there! Tinkerbelle was gorgeous, and all the other tiny ponies, Piper, HP, Midnight,Scarlet, Dusky, Tim.
Where you began riding? Me, Whiteleaf...
- Thread starter Vindaloo
- Start date
OMG thats when I was taking my AI there! Tinkerbelle was gorgeous, and all the other tiny ponies, Piper, HP, Midnight,Scarlet, Dusky, Tim.
Beausmate
Well-Known Member
Nice thread revival!
I started at Leyland Court in Bristol, having nagged my mum for lessons after seeing the horses that lived over the playing fields near where I lived in Fishponds. First pony I rode there was an ancient, one-eyed black pony called Charlie (I think), also rode Scrumpy (my fave), Torkus, April, Campari, Rondini, Skittles (only did walk and trot, fast trot and really flat out trot!), Dougal the Fjord, and Kizzy. That bloody mare buried me more times than I care to remember! The cross-country course was terrifying.
I also used to ride at White Cat, can't remember much about it now, except if a pony stopped, you had to whistle to make it wee-and they usually did!
After that I moved to London and used to ride at Trent Park, sometimes Kings Oak. We went on holidays to Exmoor and had lessons at Porlock Vale and hacking out from Norman Williams' place at Horner. I've come over all nostalgic
I started at Leyland Court in Bristol, having nagged my mum for lessons after seeing the horses that lived over the playing fields near where I lived in Fishponds. First pony I rode there was an ancient, one-eyed black pony called Charlie (I think), also rode Scrumpy (my fave), Torkus, April, Campari, Rondini, Skittles (only did walk and trot, fast trot and really flat out trot!), Dougal the Fjord, and Kizzy. That bloody mare buried me more times than I care to remember! The cross-country course was terrifying.
I also used to ride at White Cat, can't remember much about it now, except if a pony stopped, you had to whistle to make it wee-and they usually did!
After that I moved to London and used to ride at Trent Park, sometimes Kings Oak. We went on holidays to Exmoor and had lessons at Porlock Vale and hacking out from Norman Williams' place at Horner. I've come over all nostalgic
Woodrock
Member
Does anyone remember Millbrook Equitation Centre in Bedfordshire? I can remember the lovely Madge & Velvet. We used to go for hacks on a lorry testing track and I always fell off coming home down the steep hill!!
mainpower
Well-Known Member
I remember Marilyn Hawley.. she is still involved in running the London Riding Horse Parade in Hyde Park. South London had a huge horsey population back "in the day". I learnt to ride at New Park in Brixton in 1973, (and took on the yard from 1986- 1992 and did liveries). Then I went to Gleneagles in Streatham, then the Mitre in Tooting. When I left school I worked at South London School of Equitation, then the Wandle which had yards in Tooting and Battersea. I remember a lot of friendly rivalry between all the local yards and we were all determined to beat each other at the shows in our area. I have a funny memory of attending a PC rally at Willowtree, and sitting in the caravan being offered slices of treacle tart. But as I'd earlier spotted one of the yard cats sitting on the tart I declined my slice....
Blythe Spirit
Well-Known Member
Oh gosh I went to Bridle Path lodge when I was a kid on Holiday at Lyme Regis - late 80's I guess. Spooky was my fave! I also used to ride Bobby but he scared me a little!
I also know most of the riding schools in Epping forest, used to livery a horse at the place which was Chrystal Brook years ago. . I learnt to ride at Aldersbrook. I can still name all the horses and ponies they had over about a 10 year period! The first one I rode was Laddie but my favorite was Thumper. I also rode a lot at Alderbrough Hall - again I could still name most of the horses I think. My fave was Star. Also Rode at Suzannes as an Adult until Julian sold up - which was very sad in my opinion he had some really good horses.
Blythe Spirit
Well-Known Member
Nice thread revival!
I started at Leyland Court in Bristol, having nagged my mum for lessons after seeing the horses that lived over the playing fields near where I lived in Fishponds. First pony I rode there was an ancient, one-eyed black pony called Charlie (I think), also rode Scrumpy (my fave), Torkus, April, Campari, Rondini, Skittles (only did walk and trot, fast trot and really flat out trot!), Dougal the Fjord, and Kizzy. That bloody mare buried me more times than I care to remember! The cross-country course was terrifying.
I also used to ride at White Cat, can't remember much about it now, except if a pony stopped, you had to whistle to make it wee-and they usually did!
After that I moved to London and used to ride at Trent Park, sometimes Kings Oak. We went on holidays to Exmoor and had lessons at Porlock Vale and hacking out from Norman Williams' place at Horner. I've come over all nostalgic
I used to teach at Trent Park one summer and at the near by South Medburn Farm - oh the memories!
miss_c
Well-Known Member
Haha yes I remember that all too well
And it sounded so strange as everyone in the ride whistled at different pitches!
Bobbly
Well-Known Member
Oh gosh, Gransden was my first job after leaving school in 1977! Mrs Craze was a hard task master and I soon realised that I wasn't going to earn my fortune working with horses. I lived in with two other girls, the beds were awful, we had to eat with the family which meant you couldn't stuff your face, and I got given the worse horse on the yard to do. I earned £7 a week. It was fun though and when I decided to leave I had to conjour up the courage to tell her while she was boiling a kettle on the aga, she said 'Oh bu**er, you were getting on so well with that horse too!'
My first RS was on Histon Road in Cambridge run by Rosemary ?. I remember my first ride on a docked tail welshie called Randy, and being proud that I was the only one that could make Jinx 'bend his neck' (Outline). Others included Echo, Flare, Fling. Later I moved on the Longreach Stables in Chesterton with Liz Barton and my favourite palomino and white pony Poppy, there I came off a pony called Kitty who bounced me off on a hack, and trod on my finger almost taking the top off, sewn back on at the hospital it's still mangled to this day. Dad thought it would have put me off, which it didn't and he subsequently relented and my first own pony arrived!
Elbie
Well-Known Member
My first ever lesson was at French's Farm, somewhere in Essex! My dad knew the guy who set it up so think we got some lessons on mates rates. Remember our first lesson one of the ponies bolted and a girl fell off but I wasn't fazed by it. I was just disgusted at my leader kissing my pony and telling me I had to when I got off!
There was a bit of a gap between first lesson and starting lessons properly - think maybe mum and dad thought i'd lose interest but I must have persisted with wanting lessons! So we went to Eastern Equitation in Earls Colne, then it became Colne Equestrian when it moved to Wakes Colne.
There was a bit of a gap between first lesson and starting lessons properly - think maybe mum and dad thought i'd lose interest but I must have persisted with wanting lessons! So we went to Eastern Equitation in Earls Colne, then it became Colne Equestrian when it moved to Wakes Colne.
LaurenBay
Well-Known Member
Nice thread revival!
I started at Leyland Court in Bristol, having nagged my mum for lessons after seeing the horses that lived over the playing fields near where I lived in Fishponds. First pony I rode there was an ancient, one-eyed black pony called Charlie (I think), also rode Scrumpy (my fave), Torkus, April, Campari, Rondini, Skittles (only did walk and trot, fast trot and really flat out trot!), Dougal the Fjord, and Kizzy. That bloody mare buried me more times than I care to remember! The cross-country course was terrifying.
I also used to ride at White Cat, can't remember much about it now, except if a pony stopped, you had to whistle to make it wee-and they usually did!
After that I moved to London and used to ride at Trent Park, sometimes Kings Oak. We went on holidays to Exmoor and had lessons at Porlock Vale and hacking out from Norman Williams' place at Horner. I've come over all nostalgic
How long ago where you at Kings Oak?
Beausmate
Well-Known Member
I've ridden at South Medburn (I think!), my mum used to go there regularly.
I went to Trent Park from about 1988 to around 1991. Ballad was my fave, other horses were Cromby, Bilko, Ryan, Cinders, Atlas, Ziggy, Vienna, Muffin, Angus, Zavie. Ponies Smudgely, Quila, Tictac, Squirrel, Goldie, Bianca, Lady, Allsorts, Lucy, Breeze, Penny, Baldrick and a couple I can't think of the names of. Working liveries were Whisper, Pimms, Carlo, Flambeau (maybe) and Solly. My friend's dad owned Cookie. I worked there for a while too.
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Beausmate
Well-Known Member
Haha yes I remember that all too well
I've never known anywhere else that did it, really weird!
Ummm, around very late eighties, early nineties. Horses there were Liza, Mooney, Colonel, Josh (grey horse, always overbent), Horace (or Horatio?) biggest horse I've ever ridden! Lorna and I can't remember any more!
LaurenBay
Well-Known Member
My old share Horse came from there. Her name is Nelly. I think she was there after you though.
Sarah_K
Well-Known Member
I started at age 3 at Wharfedale Riding Stables near Otley/Menston in West Yorks. It was run by Margaret Harvey who in her youth had been a debutante but really ran the stables to pay for her breeding line of Fell ponies (I think). The first pic in my sig is me on Cracker, one of her fells. Ah the good old days, elastic on hat, feet in stirrup leathers, grass reins made from baler twine. 
She ran 2 stables, the one near to the town and another in Pately Bridge where she had summer pastures and run riding holidays- if you didn't mind staying in a green mildewed caravan with no running water or electric.
She ran 2 stables, the one near to the town and another in Pately Bridge where she had summer pastures and run riding holidays- if you didn't mind staying in a green mildewed caravan with no running water or electric.
Darcydoo
Well-Known Member
Oakhill riding school daisy nook Manchester late 70s.think the 1st poy I rode was sixpence little grey mare with a big wobbly crest of a neck.met my best friend of over 20 years there. Moved to various yard in the area but always migrated back.
Elsiecat
Well-Known Member
Another for croft riding shool in Warrington. Can't believe there isn't more than 2 of us!!! I used to ride a pony called shandy if I'm correct. She would probably have been either a section A or B I'm guessing. I messaged them weeks ago asking if she was still around and didn't receive the courtesy of a reply!!!
Also heybrook (now apple tree, I think) in lowton. Went to lowton riding school but I found the woman to be a bully.
Also heybrook (now apple tree, I think) in lowton. Went to lowton riding school but I found the woman to be a bully.
DressageCob
Well-Known Member
Clifton Moor Riding School near Wetherby first. Then moved onto Follifoot near Harrogate a while after I was there from 1996 to 2000
I was there from 1996 to 2000 
windand rain
Well-Known Member
I was first boosted nto a big horse aged 11 at Violet Bullocks farm in Huntington just outside York in 1965. Have never had a week since when I didnt spend some of it in the company of horses so 48 years and a little more now. I remember Troy a skewbald gelding Jody a piebald gelding and Lady a bay thoroughbred mare that had loads of foals I think she was about 20 then, A chestnut thoroughbred stallion that was the father of all the foals on the farm, His name was cuckoo although there may have been more of his name
toffeeyummy
Well-Known Member
My first riding school was offord riding school in Cambridgeshire. I spent most of my childhood there working all hours for perhaps one free ride on the naughtiest pony once a week! But god I loved it!!! Ponies I remember we're patchy (100 years old), rump old (naughty pony little strawberry roan), cindy, sundance, polly (my fave, big grey), polly-Anna (kicked everything). Would have been the early 80s very happy memories. Anyone else? There's a housing estate there now 
Hexx
Well-Known Member
At a riding school on the Moors just above Sheffield. It was just a big barn on a hill - we were in the "indoor school" during the winter, and then in the summer we used to hack on the moors - it would have been mid-70's.
Then we moved "down south" in about 1978-9 and I went to Snowball Farm in Burnham for the next 15 or so years and learned to ride properly LOL! The first pony I rode at Snowball was a palomino called Popcorn.
In the Pony Yard were: Oliver, Popcorn, Dobbin, Blackie, Twinkle, Coco, Digby (my all time favourite), Mivvi, Trampus.
The Pony Pens: Shandy, Ben, Thomas, Ferdie, Alpen, Cornflakes, and two more - I can see them, but can't remember their names.
When I got older, I used to ride Mrs Western-kaye's hunter - Raffles, my most favourite horse of all, he was wonderful and I spent many a happy hour hacking round Burnham getting him fit for hunting.
Then we moved "down south" in about 1978-9 and I went to Snowball Farm in Burnham for the next 15 or so years and learned to ride properly LOL! The first pony I rode at Snowball was a palomino called Popcorn.
In the Pony Yard were: Oliver, Popcorn, Dobbin, Blackie, Twinkle, Coco, Digby (my all time favourite), Mivvi, Trampus.
The Pony Pens: Shandy, Ben, Thomas, Ferdie, Alpen, Cornflakes, and two more - I can see them, but can't remember their names.
When I got older, I used to ride Mrs Western-kaye's hunter - Raffles, my most favourite horse of all, he was wonderful and I spent many a happy hour hacking round Burnham getting him fit for hunting.
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Charley657
Well-Known Member
I learnt to ride at Silverknowes Riding Centre in Edinburgh. It's no longer there now, think the owner moved to Lasswade. But I became a happy helper after my first lesson and got free rides in return. It was a bit rundown but it had horses and they were willing to teach me to ride so I was happy.
My favorite horse was Gemima, not the prettiest horse there but she was only 5 and taught me a lot - like how to fall off a lot.
My favorite horse was Gemima, not the prettiest horse there but she was only 5 and taught me a lot - like how to fall off a lot.
Carrie_Ann
New User
I taught myself to ride but in 2009 I started to work for Mrs craze, still working for her today, along with WEG gold medalist Charlotte bathe :-D
Carrie_Ann
New User
MissJessica
Well-Known Member
The same place as many others in Nottinghamshire, Kirkfields - Mandy Rowlands, Blidworth Bottoms!!
Fallen in love with many a horse from a riding school <3
Fallen in love with many a horse from a riding school <3
Carrie_Ann
New User
I taught myself to ride but in 2009 I started to work for Mrs craze, still working for her today, along with WEG gold medalist Charlotte bathe :-D
Suec04
Well-Known Member
I had my first lessons at Rainbow Hall Riding School in Hertfordshire. My first lesson was on a piebald mare called Sue and the instructor got very confused, as did I, as to who she was talking to! I also rode Ebony, Caeser and my favourite was a spotty called Mabel. They wouldn't sell her to my dad though but they did find me my first pony Tish
I also rode Ebony, Caeser and my favourite was a spotty called Mabel. They wouldn't sell her to my dad though but they did find me my first pony Tish
Suec04
Well-Known Member
I learnt to jump at Gaddesdon on a big grumpy chesnut mare called Ellie? I think. I fell off and ended up on my back for 6 weeks after but loads of fun
Greylegs
Well-Known Member
You lot are all so young!! I learned at Mrs Watson's in Normanton, Derbyshire. Aged just 5 (1959!!!!) they put me on a green youngster with a girl leading me round a field under strict instructions not to let go! I remember it was a hot summers day and we stopped in the shade of a tree for my leader to get her breath back after I'd just got the hang of rising trot. Of course she let go of the pony at precisely the moment it chose to spook at a bird in the hedge and took off up the field for home flat out. Hence I learned to walk, trot and gallop in my first lesson! Might have learned to jump as well but the pony thought better of it when we got to the fence and stopped. I've been hooked ever since. The cost of this adventure ? A princely 2/6d ... (12 and a half p) which was a week's pocket money and seemed like a lot at the time. 55 years on I'm still at it. Will I ever grow out of it do you think?
Busybusybusy
Well-Known Member
I also started riding at Gransden Hall at the tender age of 4, absolutely hated it!! But then got back into riding again and was bought a pony by my aunt and was having lessons there again & became really good friends with Annie Craze (mrs crazes daughter) we did loads together, hunting, pony club, competitions etc. the old yard & new yard are all houses now. But I do remember having a great time when I was there helping out every weekend - that was about 35 years ago! My brother also rode there and ended up being a working pupil before he went into the army.
Billy the kid
Well-Known Member
My mum taught me to start off with. I could walk and trot, canter was coming. At the age of seven i started going to Blackdyke Farm in Cumbria. Im now 25 and still go. IMO its an amazing riding centre, second to non.