Where you began riding? Me, Whiteleaf...

JustMe22 said:
Are you still in SA??? Haha sorry, I'm in Gauteng..get excited if I see someone from South Africa :p
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I'm privileged to say that I began riding at Arnim's Place near Brackenfell, Cape Town, South Africa. It is owned by one amazing lady, Brunsi Von Arnim. My passion for everything equine started thanks to her. She's the most knowledgeable horse person that you'll ever come across. How on earth she's managed to keep the school going despite all the challenges it involves, I do not know.

I got to meet and/or ride many many wonderful ponies and horses, all of which has taught me something, and sadly all of them would have passed away by now.
My first few lessons back in the early 80's were mostly on Fudge, Tickey, and Genevieve.
The first time my Father came to watch me, I got to ride Jet. I'm embarrassed to say that his favourite trick was to go and stand in the corners of the school, which happened on that day too, lol!
The first mare whom I fell madly in love with, was Nanoushka. I used to save all her grey hair which stuck to the brushes, and kept it in bags at home :o
After Nanoushka, Winston showed me what true happiness is and how riding or just being with horses can make you forget all your worries. RIP dear Winston.
Thank you Brunsi, for being the lovely person that you are.
 
I started riding 43 years ago at a local riding school that no longer exists. We had moved from Ilford to the town, I still live in. I would turn up every weekend what ever the weather ( I think they dreaded seeing me sometimes, especially when it was chucking it down.) One weekend my Dad was late back from work, so I was about 15 mins late for my hack. We drove down the rode to the yard, and met the whole ride coming out. They were leading my horse because they knew I never missed a ride, and had guessed I was on the way. Very happy memories.:)
 
My first lessons were at Vikkys riding school near Walsall, I wasn't keen though so after about a year I moved to Mill Green in Cannock and went there until it closed. I was about 10 when I started riding.
 
There is nothing like the experience of the first time. If it's wonderful you will always remember. If the experience is terrible you might remember that forever as well

I have noticed that happy people tend to have fonder memories as time passes. For the miserable, each slighted moment is retold over and over in their minds. Good memories fade, sour, and turn bad. The ripe Apple now has a huge bruise and a worm.

I avoid people that start a story with ... 'I was young then and it seemed more than it was ....' Or 'I thought I was having a good time ...'

The beach covered with jelly fish on a horse is quite wonderful even in rain and wind
 
I started riding in Leicestershire in 1965. It was at Glebe Farm Stables, Kirby Road, Glenfield. People who ran it were Mrs Williams and her daughter Mannie (later to become Mannie Beaven, at Trent Park in London and currently at Bentley Riding Stables in Suffolk). Other names I recall at Glebe Farm were Jim Sutton and Andrew Robb. My first lesson was on a little grey pony called Zippy. In 1966, the Williams' moved to Purton House in Wiltshire. Had a lovely holiday there! I think that a family called Thomas took over at Glebe Farm. They had three sons, two of whom were called Douglas and Jeffrey.

In 1968 I went to the late Ken Clawson's yard, Kimberley House at Leire. Rode some fab livery horses there. My fave was a skewbald mare called Tusa. Ken even let me ride his horse Hobo in the indoor school. My friend rode High Jinks. Other horse names I recall are Apollo, A-rab, Whitsun and Brandy. Ken was only a BHSAI back then and I look back with fond memories at his kindness and sense of humour. We spent hours riding and jumping bareback.

Briefly, I'll mention a few other yards that I rode at, but only on a few occasions. Circa 1967 there was a stables near Beaumont Leys in Leicester, run by a girl called Wendy and (I think), her dad. I rode a light grey called Simon. Remember a livery pony there called Elegy.

Also circa 1967, I have a memory of a stables at a pig farm! I kid you not, as I will never forget that smell! The yard was on the Foston Road, just outside Countesthorpe in Leicestershire. Rode a fab horse called Snowball.

I'll finish by mentioning the first stables again: Glebe Farm at Glenfield was demolished this year and they are currently laying foundations for a housing development.

I'm 62 now and don't keep horses any more. Brilliant memories though. The best!
 
As a beginner I rode at Stangrave Hall Stables in Godstone. There are two sisters that were there too, Clare and Lucy, that I would love to see again. I stopped rather abruptly after my mother died. Just posting this in case Clare or Lucy ever look!
 
Local riding centre i wont name cause its too close to home! I have to say im remembering less and less about it which is sad cause it made up every saturday of my life from about 2-12. As humans do, i only remember the "bad" or very memorable times, such as the first time i fell off when we were in the "field" (aka a grass paddock thats a bit bigger than the arena) and you had to either do the jump or canter to the end..as i was on the smallest pony in the yard i was told to canter round but pony decided gallop and i came off at the last corner. Same pony, larger field, they said to the older ones to canter on up the hill the rest would just walk up, my pony didn't want left and went full pelt...i stayed on this time and reached the gate first. Said pony was the slowest, stupidest and most dead animal in the place, but i seemed to hot him up! I loved riding him.

One of the funniest memories i have though is this one girl who was in my class at school bumming and blowing about getting her own pony after about three lessons, stabled at the riding school. She rode it once, but had a leader and cried the whole time. She was asked by the farrier to go in and lift its hooves cause she didn't know how to and she threw a total tantrum. Pony was swiftly sold and the girl never rode again. Was the most gorgeous pony, and would have made any kid who was actually into it happy!
 
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What a lovely thread,I first 'learnt' to ride at Southdown Riding School nr the racecourse in Brighton,now a livery yard,I remember Beverly and a pony called Flint.Then I was taught to ride at Brendon Riding School,now Pyecombe Show Center,I learnt to jump on Cornflakes,I remember Sharni,Strawberry,Dusty,Simon,Brendon,Limerick,then I started jumping a bit and got my own pony,Velvet,then Grey Magic,then Capri 1V,it was 7'6d a week to keep Velvet there.Happy days.
 
I learnt to ride in 2004, so much more recently!
I wasn't fussed on horses, but mum had ridden when she was younger and had heard about a RS in Islandmagee so took me and a cousin down for a lesson.
The first pony I rode was a 12.2hh fleabitten grey mare called Dawn, and I was on the lead rein and I can't remember the name of the helper. The instructor teaching me then was pregnant, and she left to have a baby a few weeks later - to show how long I was there, before I left the RS when we moved B, her eldest boy was about 10!
I picked up rising trot in my first lesson, and was hooked not long after that :)

I also had a few lessons at a place my other cousins had always ridden at, I believe it was called Newlands Farm and run by Edith Crawford?
I think it's now the Crawford's Racing Yard, as I can remember they had lots of big 'fancy' horses that were kept separate from the others. I can remember riding a lovely black cob the few times I went named Rose and getting a rosette as Edith had said she would be giving prizes to the people who tacked up the quickest, were presented the best, and did the best in the lesson (we all got a rosette though!). I can remember feeling a bit like I'd been thrown in at the deep end, as I wasn't used to having to tack a horse up without someone to help/watch me as the RS I was at usually had ponies tacked up for you to save time. I managed it somehow, but Rose was very patient! It was also the first indoor school I'd ever rode in. Edith was terrifying at the time, but I can remember really enjoying it as she was very fair too. I only went a handful of times!

Lesson costs used to be £10 for a group, £15 for an hour private and before I left I think they were at £20 for an hour private and £18 for a group? Can't remember. I can remember the YO saying she wanted to teach me in private lessons once a week as well one day, as she thought I had a lot of potential which made me feel like I was the next showjumping superstar. I have a lot to thank that RS for, I bought B from them and kept him there for 3/4 years on working livery, but they helped me out a lot with the horse care side and if I had any problems or issues they always did their best to help in any way they could. It also meant when the time came that I was ready to move to somewhere new I didn't feel like I was flung in at the deep end, as I would have been if I'd moved B when I first got him because there is such a difference between owning on a DIY yard and taking lessons and helping out somewhere where there's always someone to help you.

I used to love riding Bailey, Taffy, Mac 1 (there were 2 Macs!) and of course my favourites that no one could understand why as they were odd horses who liked to do gymnastics, Harley and Hunter. Some of the ponies were cheeky monkeys, and I hated riding the lazier ponies who I now know just took the P and refused fences and didn't move because they could like Pebbles and Lucy. One of my favourite moments was jumping a double clear on Lucy on one of the little RS shows they put on, as she was well known to refuse and run out to the left. I was a late sign up, and she was the only pony left (no one else had their name down for her for some reason lol) so I wasn't feeling too confident until the day came and I told myself we would be jumping clear. We did and I won second place, little witchy pony liked to run out left so I made sure we came in bang in the centre and I can remember on the last fence feeling her begin to go left and giving a big kick and a pull on my right rein, we jumped it at an awkward angle but we went clear and everyone said well done as she was such a witch with running out, I was about 9 or 10 so definitely was convinced at this point I was the future of showjumping after that performance :)
 
First riding I can remember was on the beach donkeys in rhyl. I went back so many times they let me off the lead. My favorite was a dark chocolate jenny called Rosie.
Then I went to Afon wen in Gwynedd and used to ride a roan mare called Annie. Think it used to cost £20 for an hour and a half. I didn't learn much though. Then I went to Pinewood in Conwy and used to ride Nero a bay with white socks and a blaze.
I mainly rode at a friends farm after that. There was an incident where a few ponies cantered off down the road and at 12 I thought it was pretty scary.
That lead me to a place close to home that I spent almost 10yrs at as I ended up working there. Learnt so much and can still name all of the horses to this day. I have one of the youngsters that was bred there. It was closed down a few years back but I know where most of the horses are in their new homes
 
This thread is so old, 2015!!

Richings Park, Iver in Berkshire ... I dont know if it had a name or if it was Richings Park Riding School! Peter Pan ... love of my life little 12h? black whelshie type (didnt have breeds in those days, lol!) who taught me to stay on! :)
 
I learnt to ride at Ilkley Riding School (I think that was its name). Bought my first horse Lorna off them, so I remember her still! There was also a big chestnut called Paddy who had the occasional buck.

I then had Lorna on full livery at Adel Wood Equestrian Centre which was run by Kim. She was quite a character and I have lots of memories from there, in particular my first "day ride" in the grounds of Harewood House which was my first time galloping Lorna (who was a TB x) having always hacked little ponies who couldn't keep up. I was also a little tipsy as they were passing around little bottles with liquor in at the start of the ride, I think I was about 14.
 
My start to horse riding was not great, although I kept doing it because I'm crazy so it didnt affect me too badly. Not going to name the place, but it was run by an absolutely crazy woman. She would shout at us (we were 4-6 years old), she would chase the ponies if they wouldnt go for us, she would chase them waving whips at them too. I would cry after nearly every lesson and beg my mum to not take me back. And yet, amnesia would set in and by the Friday before my lesson on Saturdays I would be excited to go again. At one point, she joined two lessons together, us and an advanced lot, took us to the bottom of a field and made us all gallop to the top all at once. As a kid who had barely began cantering, that was terrifying. I fell off more times than I recall (might explain the amnesia), I learnt barely anything except maybe how to land without breaking anything. It terrified me of jumping. The horses could be dangerous, while trying to get one horse out of a field, I was attacked repeatedly by a gelding who wouldnt let me take said mare.

I did eventually leave and go to better places thank god. Not that many of them were great. I just wanted to ride. I dont think I started learning how to ride properly until I was 13. Almost 10 years wasted.

And yet 22 years later, I am still trying, still failing, bought a 6 year old barely trained horse when nervous, still making mistakes. Still got a lot to learn, but who doesnt? I want to beat my fear of jumping, to prove to myself that I can do it. But I think that fear is too ingrained to get rid of fully. Will still try. :)
 
As a child I learned to ride at Sunnyhurst (Farm?) riding school in Darwen, Lancashire back in the days when you had to ride with a 10 New Pence coin between your knees and the saddle and not let it drop. Favourite ponies were Rudolph, Trout and Dinah and my best memory was when 'Mr's' horse spooked on a hack and set the entire ride off at what seemed like a mad gallop. Most of us, me included were kicking on because galloping was something that 10 year olds want to do :D. I seem to remember Mr and the instructor arriving back at the yard somewhat flustered whilst the rest of us were buzzing :D.

Spent a few years begging and stealing rides during my teenage years and then started riding at Readwood in Read in my early twenties, that lead to me buying my own horse and my subsequent downfall :D.
 
Brilliant thread! I was Shetland sized when I started (6 ish I guess) I had a few rides on my school friends pony called Queenie then we moved house & the village had a riding school! I rode a Shetland called Bonny who I think was in her mid 20s. Had my first fall when she put her head down to eat & the saddle rolled down her neck. Lots of firsts with Bonny - learning canter leads in the snow sticks in the mind. I did progress onto bigger ponies but Dad was posted to Germany when I was 9.

Nothing prepared me for riding in Germany. I went from hairy riding school ponies to warmbloods and from canter to the back of the ride to leg yielding. I think I just copied everyone else and hung on for dear life.

My parents kept waiting for me to grow out of it. They're still waiting!
 
I learnt to ride at Stables in Eversley - can't remember what it was called but I used to ride a horse called Hazel and then I rode at a stables in Sandhurst owned by Pat Sutton - she was marvellous. I used to ride a lovely strawberry roan - really smart. That was back in the sixties though!!
 
Hi. It was called Ryan's Riding Stables. I used to ride Mr Brown. I remember (vaguely) leaving the stables, riding past the water tower, along some paths that were heath on one side and back gardens on the other. Then we let loose as we headed toward the speedway stadium. As you say, mostly all built on now. I have 8mm movie footage of me on a horse there. You turned off Foxhall Road opposite a pub called The Golf. Then went down a road, which turned into a lane, then a track. Then turned right into the stables.
 
Emby said:
I was hoping someone would mention the riding school I started at in the early to mid 70's. I don't have a clue what it was called and the land where it stood is now a huge housing estate. It was in Ipswich, the Rushmere/kesgrave area and we used to ride over Rushmere Heath.
I started off on a lovely iron grey pony called Smokie then 'progressed' to a grumpy chestut mare called Gypsy. My friend used to ride a grey called Cola and I remember a big coloured cob called Tara.
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Hi. It was called Ryan's Riding Stables. I used to ride Mr Brown. I remember (vaguely) leaving the stables, riding past the water tower, along some paths that were heath on one side and back gardens on the other. Then we let loose as we headed toward the speedway stadium. As you say, mostly all built on now. I have 8mm movie footage of me on a horse there. You turned off Foxhall Road opposite a pub called The Golf. Then went down a road, which turned into a lane, then a track. Then turned right into the stables.
 
Adel Wood equestrian centre, just outside Leeds (Meanwood road). Run by a lovely lady called Kim. Bought my first pony, Brave, from her when he threw one too many of her customers!
 
I live in Holford Combe....! No riding stables there anymore i'm afraid!

I learnt to ride in 1980 at Lea Valley riding school on Hackney Marshes in London.. my favourite pony was a grey called Robin!
 
I began riding when i was 4 at Westlea riding stables in Swindon. I believe it has since been demolished? Though not sure when. Was in the 80's i was there. I remember my 2 favourite ponies there, Skippy and a palomino called Polly. I think the owner there was called Pat?
 
Joyson Riding School in Whyteleafe Surrey. My sister and I went every two weeks and I fell off almost every time. 50 years on, I am still riding, but fingers crossed, I fall often less often :D
 
Heddington Wick in Wiltshire, we had a gymkhana every Summer with a musical ride. Fell off a fair few times, and one of the Fell ponies got into my lunchbox one day because a parent left the tack room open and stood on my very first phone! I was heartbroken!

Teacup was the sweetest little pony and between him and Rattlebox I earned the nickname 'Electric Bum'

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pennyturner said:
Adel Wood equestrian centre, just outside Leeds (Meanwood road). Run by a lovely lady called Kim. Bought my first pony, Brave, from her when he threw one too many of her customers!
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I rode there, too in the early nineties. I remember Jigsaw, Phoenix, Donna, Charity and Gizmo who was so big I got vertigo riding him. I remember doing the day rides around Harewood. Great fun! I also managed my first extended trot on BA (Black Art).

I first learned to ride in the 1960s at Miss Pickards in Cherry Hinton near Cambridge on a lovely old pony called Sandy. I also remember a little s*** called Eskimo and the rather wonderful Minstrel. I learned to jump on Robert. The land the school was on was sold for building and moved to Park House Stables at Harston. here I remember Gaylight, Hans, Simon. I had riding holidays at Weeting near Brandon where I had Falstaff, a skewbald cob, as my pony for the week two years on the run. I loved the gallops through the forest. This was 1972/3.

I also went to Millfields at Stetchworth near Newmarket run by the rather formidable Anne Hammond. I was so rubbish compared to the other kids the only pony I rode was Ridi the haflinger. I hated it there but my dad thought it would be good for me.

I went back to Park House in the eighties and good old Hans was still there also Kizzy mare, Kizzy gelding, Bess, Gareth and a lovely livery called The Abbott. A lady called Georgina ran it when the bloke from the pub on the corner bought it. I used to help out for free rides. We took a tiny pony called Twinkle carol singing in the pub (for charity) and I think the sudden warmth got to his bowels as he pooped in the lounge bar.

After that I moved to Yorkshire and went to a stables near j30 off the M62, Rothwell. This was late eighties. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the place but it was run by a lady called Liz I used to ride the most wonderful Dusty (Stardust) aka The Spotted Beast. I adored him. Also there: Gypsy, April and an ex racehorse that my friend used to ride. can't remember the rest.

Lots of lovely memories. Really enjoyed the thread even though I am rather late to the party. Eventually managed to get my own...….
 
Pen said:
First proper riding school I went to was Mary Ridpath's at Marsworth in Bucks. Lessons were 15 shillings an hour(75p). I can remember and picture the ponies I rode - Shadow, Splash, Honey and Horrace a dock tailed cob. Mary who died aged 94 in 2008, had a lovely gey gelding Chep who she bought from Chepstow sales. Funny how important things stick in the memory while other much more recent events are a complete blank!
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I used to work for Mary Ridpath back in 1970-1972 and lived in.
I remember the ponies and horses, and still remember all their names.
The best days of my life.
 
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Going back fifty years, although I'd had a few riding lessons at various places whilst on holiday, the main riding school I went to regularly and where I learnt the most was called Irton Riding School which was on Marlpit Lane in Porthcawl. I loved it there and it was a magical place. It was run by a lady called Molly Falcon along with her elder sister Jean. They lived in a Victorian house with fields at the back where the horses were kept and there was also a 'school' where we were put through our paces. It was a sad day when they closed down owing to the M4 being built nearby. They re-opened a few years later and I went again a few times and then went off to be a student so never saw them again. They closed for good and sold up. Now the house has been demolished and a large, modern one built in its place. No sign of any horses being kept there and I believe the current house is now owned by an ex rugby player and his wife. I've tried to find out where Molly went and what happened to the family but to no avail. Happy memories.
 
I was fortunate to be taught initially at two years old by my aunt who had a stables and was a successful showjumper.

I 'graduated' from there to three different riding schools in Banstead.

The first was Hengest Farm. This sadly later became a pet supplies store which closed in 2018.

I recall being asked to 'instruct' the entire ride in the indoor arena one day when my pony went lame and the instructor had to get a replacement mount.

I must have been only about 7 years old, but recall managing the ride nevertheless, because all the commands had been well taught to us and the pupils thankfully followed my instructions!

Can't imagine that being allowed these days, but it sparked an interest in teaching and I still remember that day almost 50 years ago!

Every week pupils could request the horse they would like to ride the following week and I remember consistently asking to ride a beautiful bay gelding called 'Nice Boy'.

He was a quality blood horse who really stood out from the other school mounts, but he was never allocated to me, despite my multiple requests.

I suspect the school thought he might have been too 'hot' for me to ride at that point, but he was clearly very well schooled and always beautifully turned out :-))

The other horse I remember as a favourite there who I often rode was a chestnut mare called 'Marnie'.

The next school I attended very briefly (only once I think) was Huntersfield Farm. That too no longer exists. It was listed for sale in 2019 and planning permission sought and validated in 2023 to demolish all the buildings and establish a residential development on the property instead - so sad to see so many equestrian facilities disappearing this way.

I remember this particular school though as not being in the least welcoming or friendly - unless you were affluent and could afford 'top of the line' equestrian wear.

I believe they once had singer/entertainer Harry Secombe ride there and never let anyone forget it!

The last school I went to (and volunteered at for a while) was Oaks Park.

Of the three, it's the only one still in existence. I remember the property being somewhat 'rough and ready', but they had lovely horses and ponies and it was a very friendly school.

I think the last time I attended, it was for their school gymkhana. I was mounted on a huge strawberry roan mare who was lovely and a favourite of mine. My younger sister got to ride a delightful but naughty palamino pony unimaginatively called 'Pally'. I can't remember the name of the mare.

We emigrated to NZ shortly after that, which has allowed me to own and successfully compete many horses and ponies I would never have had the opportunity to do in the UK where it's just too costly.

I'm thankful for my time learning to ride under the classical BHS system as it was then though. One was taught well and thoroughly the 'right' way to ride and care for horses and ponies.

Having had a break from riding for some years, I'm shocked at how riders (and 'influencers') these days dress themselves and their mounts.

I remember all our BHS instructors frowning on any form of 'bling' and saying coloured browbands and synthetic materials belonged in a circus or on the racetrack!

Personally, I'm thankful I still have my plain black long leather boots made by Moss Bros years ago (another incredible business no longer in existence) and all my beautifully tailored Harry Hall wool riding jackets.

No idea what's happened to long riding boots these days. Made bizarrely from patent leather, fake crocodile patterned synthetics and covered in zips and laces, with odd scalloped tops. Totally weird looking and ugly imho! Are riders too lazy to pull boots on and off these days??!

Those short shapeless spandex jackets laden with spangles and elaborate embellishments I see riders wearing these days are also truly hideous and definitely not what my instructors of the day would have approved of or considered workmanlike and professional :-))

Ditto for hats. I have gone to the extreme of importing a Champion velvet hunting cap in the classical style (meeting all current safety standards) because those oversized aeronautical space helmets masquerading as traditional hats with velvet hat covers stretched over them, encrusted with diamantes and peppered with air vents just look ridiculous on riders.

But each to their own and there will likely be others for whom the current fashion trend in equestrian wear is a perfect fit :-))

This thread has been a walk down memory lane for me. Lovely to read about all the varied experiences others have shared.
 
I started riding at Steinseth ridesenter in the southeast of Norway in about 1990. I rode two tiny Icelandics, a Norwegian dole horse, an Exmoor and many others. I rode there for about two years. Many happy memories.
 
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