Willow Tree Riding School - London, SE12

[OldNag]

I rode there about 1978 - 1982 or so. Mr and Mrs Massey were lovely. Favourite horses/ponies were Cody, Honeydew, Firedance, Popcorn, Tanya, Sorrell. I did some of my PC badges there. This thread brings back memories!

 

[horselover02345]

OMG i first rode at willow tree as a 9 year old until i was about 11/12 haha I'm 32 now so it is all a bit hazy but pinky, perky and captain ring a bell and i think i remember the owners husband/grandad who we used to pay in a portacabin? he was an old guy we used to call him Mr M i think. There was also a horse/pony called Major who i used to think was massive (he was probably just a pony and i was short so thought he was huge haha) I used to ride Goldie a chestnut arab type loved that pony! I got put on shalimar once but i always wanted to ride a piebald called Minnie because i used to say to my mum she looks so fast and looks like the cool riders were on her haha

Yes, the compound was where captain lived and they had about 6 little stables there, captains name tag is still there, and Mr M i don't know him but i think his name was Mr Massey, his daughter i think was Jan Massey who ran it till august this year.

If anyone wants to see it now, they have a facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Pinkwillowequestrian/

 

[Gill Meningen]

I learnt to ride at willowtree 47 years ago, started my teaching career there too, still teaching 43 years later. Janice was my mentor and she and her mother (sadly no longer with us) gave me a sound basis on how I still work today, that the horse comes first, no matter what.

 

[Limerick Lady]

I found this thread by accident and was absolutely stunned to find people remembering the ponies who meant so much to me so long ago.

Does anyone else remember the Dews Honeydew, Dewdrop and Rosiedew? I rode them Cody and Fudge a lot when I was tiny then moved onto Easter and Crispin until I was brave enough to ride on the afternoon rides. I then fell for Blossom and later on the little strawberry roan Arab mare Shalimar. Ive often thought about those ponies and horses. I ran into Viv who used to teach there quite a few years later (early 1990s by then) who told me many of the old ponies including the Dews had recently been put down. Im amazed Jan Massey is still there (and Julie Marshall) and the format of the rides sounds much the same.

If anyone has any pictures of The Dews or Shalimer or Blossom Id love to see them. Please please PM me!
Amazing how ponies and horses stay in your heart!

Hi I was at Willowtree from 1964 to 1976. I looked after Dewdrop and my friend Tre looked after Honeydew. I also looked after Ginger Pop, Carlo Cobnut & Shadoran. Do you remember if Cobweb & Zoltan were still there? I have photos of me with dear little Dewdrop!

 

[Limerick Lady]

I learnt to ride at willowtree 47 years ago, started my teaching career there too, still teaching 43 years later. Janice was my mentor and she and her mother (sadly no longer with us) gave me a sound basis on how I still work today, that the horse comes first, no matter what.

Hi Gill I was at Willowtree from 1964 to 1976. I worked there full time from 1971. I bought my horse Limerick from there & left to move him out to Kent. Do you remember Tre Sue Janice Youngman Pam Reading?

 

[Limerick Lady]

Anyone from 1964 to 1976? I rode and worked there after school then worked full time until 1974 when I bought my horse and had him on livery there.

I found this thread by accident and was absolutely stunned to find people remembering the ponies who meant so much to me so long ago.

Does anyone else remember the Dews Honeydew, Dewdrop and Rosiedew? I rode them Cody and Fudge a lot when I was tiny then moved onto Easter and Crispin until I was brave enough to ride on the afternoon rides. I then fell for Blossom and later on the little strawberry roan Arab mare Shalimar. Ive often thought about those ponies and horses. I ran into Viv who used to teach there quite a few years later (early 1990s by then) who told me many of the old ponies including the Dews had recently been put down. Im amazed Jan Massey is still there (and Julie Marshall) and the format of the rides sounds much the same.

If anyone has any pictures of The Dews or Shalimer or Blossom Id love to see them. Please please PM me!
Amazing how ponies and horses stay in your heart!

I have photo of me with Dewdrop! I used to look after him.

 

[OldNag]

That really brings back memories. I don't think I started there until '77 or '78 but do remember Dewdrop and Honeydew very well. My favourite at that age though was Cody.

I do remember Easter, Crispin and Blossom too. Sadly I don't think I have any photos

 

[Limerick Lady]

Willow Tree horses used to come to South London Pony Club competitions 40 plus years ago so it has been going a very long time. Their horses/ponies have always been very well cared for, not over-worked etc. Very good place.

Hi I used to go to the South London Pony Club competitions, the first being in 1970 when I jumped Mercury from Willowtree.i have a photo of all who went from Willowtree lined up there holding our prizes! Lovely memories

 

[Limerick Lady]

Diane used to teach me i used to love riding ginger!anyone remember him??
I rode the more trying horses.
me and my friend went for a holiday at bluebell farm anyone remember that??
best days down there.

Do you mean Ginger Pop? If so I very nearly bought him from Hugh and Jan but as I didn't he went into the school. A real character, I loved him dearly. He went into the school about 1974.

 

[Karran]

I am a lot later there than you guys - started mid 80's and rode off and on there until mid 00's when I was at uni.
There is a Willowtree Riding Establishment Facebook page with loads of photos on. I remember Ginger and Honeydew, Easter, Blossom and Crispen. Blossom was still going until possibly 2001 as my friend was riding her at that time.

Janice sold up a few years ago and the land has unfortunately been derelict since. Mrs M however is still going and earlier this year celebrated her 100th birthday

 

[Limerick Lady]

Hi Gill I was at Willowtree from 1964 to 1976. I worked there full time from 1971. I bought my horse Limerick from there & left to move him out to Kent. Do you remember Tre Sue Janice Youngman Pam Reading?

Do you mean Ginger Pop? If so I very nearly bought him from Hugh and Jan but as I didn't he went into the school. A real character, I loved him dearly. He went into the school about 1974.