Conference noted::equitation

    Ellen,
    
    I presume that you're looking for a riding school rather than an
    instructor to train you on your own horse.
    
    I ride at Wellington Riding which is at Heckfield, on the A33 just
    beyond the other end of the Swallowfield bypass from DECpark.  The 
    rates are not cheap but they've got a huge range of facilities and
    cater for all ages and abilities.
        
    They take anyone from complete beginner weekly riders through to BHSI 
    career students.  The facilities range from hacking out to BHS Horse 
    Trials cross country fences and they've got 3 schools, one of which is
    covered.  They have over 100 horses and ponies including liveries,
    and instructors up to BHSI.  Lessons are run every day except Monday
    from about 8am to 8pm (finishing at 9pm).
    
    There is also an active Saddle Club which runs competitions in which
    you can use riding school horses, and there is a licensed bar.  I've
    been going there since 1982.     
                                     
    If you're interested I can send you their price list.  Their telephone
    number is Reading (0734) 326308.
    
    Julian

As an American reader, the school which was just mentioned sounds very 
impressive! Some day I'd like to get overseas and have the time to visit 
the many different "horsey-things"!

Linda
 

    My daughter is interested in going to the UK to ride "Cross Country".
    At the present she is in Switzerland and going for the license.
    From there she plans on going to England. Any suggestions on where
    to go for the best riding education. She will need to lease a horse
    for her duration. Her horse is not traveling with her.
    Any suggestions are appreciated.
    Thanks
    Ruth
    

    
    
    See .1 for details of Wellington Riding who do good comprehensive
    courses. Alternatively, contact The British Horse Society who
    may be able to make recommendations.
    
    

================================================================================
Original Note by:                 RIDING IN UK                        No replies
MINDER::HELP                                         64 lines  21-DEC-1989 07:35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Earlier this year I was looking for a riding centre in Britain in 
    which to visit during the summer. I was given the address of the 
    British Tourist Authority by Kate Bushman (831.4) and I wrote to them. 
    They sent a letter back saying that the BTA was primarily concerned 
    with the promotion of Britain to external countries and not to its 
    citizens, but they sent lots of free infor anyway. After a lot of 
    sifting I chose a center and I thought I would include a report on it 
    here to help anyone else be in the same position.
    
    The centre I chose was Bryn Ffynnon farm (easier to say that it looks) 
    in Wales. It's ten or fifteen miles form the England Wales border and 
    is what could be descibed as "In the country" - down a lane with more 
    twists that a Hitchcock movie and hedged sides narrow enough to clean 
    your wingmirrors! The scenery is typically Welsh - beautiful green 
    countryside with about as much modern development as Pluto. The best 
    place to ride was over the mountains overlooking the Dee estuary and 
    all the other mountain ranges of Wales. The centre is owned and run by 
    Netta Rowlands, who is famed for her apparently bottomless reserves of 
    energy (She's up dead early, does six times as much as anyone else and 
    then goes to bed after everybody, without losing her bubbling Welsh 
    personality once during the day). You have to be fast to catch her - 
    the centre is run on a basis she describes as flexible; this consists 
    of you telling her what you want and she does it for you. I couldn't 
    believe it when I first arrived there expecting to be told what was on 
    the next day's riding agenda only to be told "whatever you want". 
    There's no real way you could say you had spent some time at the 
    centre, more like you spent some time as part of the Rowlands family. 
    The atmosphere there is so warm and friendly I felt as if I had been 
    born there after a few days. Netta will pick you up from 
    stations/airports from miles around and if there is anything you want 
    to see, do or visit just tell her and she will arrange it.
    You can ride where you like when you ride on your own (within reason), 
    but there is always someone willing to show you about at first so you 
    can work out possible routes and essential diversions (e.g. local pub). 
    The local people seem to regard horses highly - it's nice to be treated 
    politely by car drivers instead of being used as six-legged targets for 
    frustrated kamakazi car drivers. The centre itself is an old farm, and 
    the farmhouse still retains its old character. But don't expect the 
    house to be divided into public and private sections - while you are 
    there you are part of the place. The farm has a large community of 
    animals residents including dogs, cats (around 20), calves, cattle, 
    sheep, lambs and primarily but not surprisingly an abundant supply of 
    horses. The main riding society of Wales recommends the centre, and it 
    won the 1988 Welsh riding centre of the year award. Netta has had 
    guests from around the world and I never met on eduring my stay that 
    had not had the time of their lives. Often, she can give you an address 
    of a person near you around the world who will say how much they 
    enjoyed it. Everybody describes their stay as "unforgettable and 
    unbeatable" and I agree. I'll go back soon!
     									   
    
    Netta's address is:
    
    
    NETTA ROWLANDS RIDING CENTRE
    BRYN FFYNNON FARM
    RHOSESMOR
    MOLD
    CLWYD
    CH7 6PG
    WALES
    (GREAT BRITAIN)
    
    TEL: (035286) 664

    Does anyone know of a good riding stable close to Great Shefford,
    Berkshire. Reading is too far - something west of Newbury would
    be good. I want to polish up my skills and my fiance wants to
    learn from scratch.
    
    Thanks
    
    Lisa.
    
    

    I am thinking about taking riding lessons at lunchtime - anyone know of
    a good/reasonably priced school close to Dec Park, Reading? I have
    called the Wellington Riding School - they charge 33.95 per hour for
    private lessons. I think this is a bit expensive - is it?
    I would also be interested in lessons after work if the lunchtime plan
    doesn't work out
    
    Any help appreciated.
    
    
    Lisa.

    Hi Lisa!
    
    I can recommend Bearwood Riding Centre (Tel: 0734 760010) I take
    lessons there regularly on my own horse and have found them good.
    
    I know they are not as expensive as Wellington Riding and and it 
    might be a little closer than Wellington, give them a call they
    are very helpful and friendly!
    
    Let me know how you get on.
    
    Wendy

    Lisa,
    
    I too have used Bearwood lunch times, but that was back in the
    days when my lunchtimes were a bit more flexiable.
    I used to get a good � hour lesson, therefore you might find the timing
    a bit tight if you're stuck to just a 1 hour lunch.

      
      
      
      I nearly fell off my chair when I read what you must pay for a riding 
      lesson... Do you mean Pounds?
      I thought Sweden was an expencive country, but a riding lesson that lasts 
      about one hour costs 9-10 Pounds here... I guess I shoud feel lucky for 
      once...
      
      Addi.

    Yes, that was in pounds! It is expensive at that particular place.
    I have phoned the one that was recommended - that only costs 16.80 for
    a 3/4 hour private lesson and 11.25 for a group lesson! Much better :-)
    
    Lisa.
    

    I have until recently ridden a friend's horse on a weekly basis until
    they moved away.
    
    I am interested in being able to ride weekends etc and would be
    interested in any experiences people have of the different riding
    stables in the UK.
    
    Thanks
    
    
    Steve Gifkins

    
    
    UK
    
    I have won a years free riding permit for use at one of Forest
    Enterprises (part of the Forestry Commission) rides.  But I can't
    use it because there are none near enough to me to use on a regular
    basis.
    
    These rides are at Henwood - near Winchester, West Walk near Fareham
    the Isle of Wight etc.  
    
    So if you want can make use of this ring me on 7833 3770. 
    It would be shame to waste such a great opportunity to get some
    off road riding!
    
    Karen