horsegirl
Well-Known Member
Is it worth it? What facilities are there? thanks
Windsor Park permit
- Thread starter horsegirl
- Start date
claireandnadia
Well-Known Member
Strangely enough I called them earlier and they are going to post me some details. They do a winter permit which is from Oct-Mar for £85.
Snoopy1
Active Member
I'm lucky enough to be right on their doorstep and would say that a pass is well worth it if you are going to use it a fair bit. There is only 1 horse box park but a couple of routes out of there that then take you all around the park. The tracks are well maintained and many are horse only - some you do have to share with pedestrians etc. A lot of the tracks are sand so can be ridden on all year round. The grass tracks do get muddy in winter and the park rangers do close them off which limits you a bit more. In the summer the park is hugely popular with riders/runners/cyclist/walkers, you name it so I would definately say if you were going to go on a nice day, make it really early or later. The horse box park gets as busy as the other areas and after about 10.00 you may find it difficult to park. Weekends are also often busy. You also need to be careful through the deer park in the mating season and when they have young - they have been known to chase people off. I just tend not to go through there during these times as pleanty of other routes. Also one of the routes goes round Smiths Lawn/Guards Polo where they have regular competitions including carriage driving so you are probably best to avoid these areas on these days. Have a look at the Windsor Park Equestrian Club website for details of dates! However, I would say this is one of the best places I have ever had the opportunity to ride in and highly recomend a pass. Enjoy!
horsegirl
Well-Known Member
I just wonder whether I would use it enough to get my money's worth
scarymare
Well-Known Member
It's the only think I missed from leaving SE England to Scotland. Well worth it IMO. Mind you interesting times with army maneovures etc and quite a few other 'hazards'. Mind you I did stable at Ribblesdale which is actually almost in the park
Daisy1905
Well-Known Member
Definitely worth it! 
I used to have my horse at a yard right next to the park. My favourite ride was going into the park at Bishopsgate and then down the bridleway and canter back up along the long walk
I used to have my horse at a yard right next to the park. My favourite ride was going into the park at Bishopsgate and then down the bridleway and canter back up along the long walk
claireandnadia
Well-Known Member
I might actually just get a winter permit as I've already missed out from April-now of the pass.
horsegirl
Well-Known Member
Does it run from April? I assumed it would be a year from the date of purchase?
Switchthehorse
Well-Known Member
the permits run til march - so you can either but full price now for 9 months or wait 3 months and buy the half price version.
They close the grass off in the winter so there are less places to canter, but the sand tracks are really good quality and stand up to the weather quite well.
I have never found it that busy although you do get quite a few riding school groups at the weekends.
I would say to your 'is it worth it' question - depends how often you really think you will go. I have transport so bought a pass last year full price and ended up going 3 times!! whereas i have other friends who go every weekend. Its quite expensive to just go three times in a year Mega expensive hacking - i might as well just have done a couple of sponsored rides.
There are wardens there quite a lot as well, who will check you are the person on the pass and also 'caution' you or kick you off the park if you go too fast - i had a friend who was banned from riding there because her horse bolted and she 'broke the speed limit' it is supposed to be a max of an 'inhand canter'
And agree with previous poster - 7 weekends a year from April to September there is carriage driving which causes a bit of chaos but easily avoided by visiting www.wpec.org - who are a good club to join if you are local and want low level but encouraging stressage comps
Hope this helps!
They close the grass off in the winter so there are less places to canter, but the sand tracks are really good quality and stand up to the weather quite well.
I have never found it that busy although you do get quite a few riding school groups at the weekends.
I would say to your 'is it worth it' question - depends how often you really think you will go. I have transport so bought a pass last year full price and ended up going 3 times!! whereas i have other friends who go every weekend. Its quite expensive to just go three times in a year
Mega expensive hacking - i might as well just have done a couple of sponsored rides.There are wardens there quite a lot as well, who will check you are the person on the pass and also 'caution' you or kick you off the park if you go too fast - i had a friend who was banned from riding there because her horse bolted and she 'broke the speed limit'
it is supposed to be a max of an 'inhand canter'And agree with previous poster - 7 weekends a year from April to September there is carriage driving which causes a bit of chaos but easily avoided by visiting www.wpec.org - who are a good club to join if you are local and want low level but encouraging stressage comps
Hope this helps!
Vickijay
Well-Known Member
I have one. I think its worth it for me as want to keep my mare fit and I can canter her for bloomin miles there! It is expensive esp when you add fuel and time to get there and back.
I have almost died when there was carriage driving on (when a competitior came past us at canter, screaming and whipping her ponies, along a road
) That was nice and has terrified my mare about carriage drivers, understandibly. So now go nowhere near the park when its on.
At the weekends its v busy so we either go super early or not at all, the week is nice though.
I doubt Ill use it that much through the winter as the sand tracks are very stoney so I wouldnt really want to spend too long on them and your not allowed on the grass but for the summer having a canter round the park is just about worth it for me.
I have almost died when there was carriage driving on (when a competitior came past us at canter, screaming and whipping her ponies, along a road
) That was nice and has terrified my mare about carriage drivers, understandibly. So now go nowhere near the park when its on.At the weekends its v busy so we either go super early or not at all, the week is nice though.
I doubt Ill use it that much through the winter as the sand tracks are very stoney so I wouldnt really want to spend too long on them and your not allowed on the grass but for the summer having a canter round the park is just about worth it for me.
kirstyl
Well-Known Member
Oh my goodness! I used to work at Ribblesdale, my first job after getting my AI. I loved the hacking, avoiding the strings of polo ponies was the main hazard. Was a very upmarket establishment when I worked there, Very rich people who would turn up to ride their polished ponies around the park for a few hours, then return them to the grooms and drive away in their Jags. Mind you, I enjoyed exercising their horses, and my liveries were very generous! Long time ago but happy days!