Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, with easy access from London, the M3, M4 and M25, you can spend a tranquil short break here, learning to or improving your horse riding skills. This wonderful centre is located less than 10 miles from Reading with onsite facilities including a 1 bedroom apartment suitable for 2 people, a large indoor and outdoor arena, full set of show jumps and two cross country courses. Hacks are taken in and around the numerous woodland routes which span for miles upon miles with no road work whatsoever. Here you can relax in peace and tranquility and take a well deserved rest from your busy life.
Day 1
Arrive after lunch / late afternoon and settle into your on-site accommodation, the local pubs and restaurants are just a 5 or 10 minute drive. If you are planning on coming without a car transfer from the train station and to and from the pub can be arranged. There is also a B&B next door to the stables for those coming in larger groups. You may of course, bring your own food and wine as the apartment has a small kitchenette with a fridge / freezer, tea and coffee making facilities and a microwave and dining table and chairs. This afternoon after you have settled into your room you will start your riding holiday with a private lesson taken by one of the qualified instructors. You can discuss beforehand with your instructor whether you would like this to be a flat / jump lesson, this will obviously depend on your riding ability. You can participate in as much stable management as you like before / after your rides during your stay. This can be anything from grooming and tacking up to mucking out and helping the girls on the yard.
Day 2
A continental breakfast of cereal, toast, croissants and a selection of local jams as well as tea, coffee and orange juice will be available for you in your apartment. After breakfast take the short walk past the duck pond over to the stables where you will be reunited with your horse and instructor for your second lesson. Again, depending on your ability this can be arranged as a flat / jump lesson, concentrating on the disciplines you feel need the most work. After a rest for lunch this afternoon you will be enjoying a hack around the forest tracks and woodlands that surround this stunning village. If the weather is nice you may even wade back through the ford. Beginners will be taken on a hack allowing only walk and a little trot if the guide feels appropriate and safe. The more experienced riders will get the opportunity to canter along the numerous sand tracks; you may even come across some cross country fences along the way! The evening is free to enjoy the area and the array of local pubs and restaurants.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will have your final hack out into the forest. The special thing about the hacking here is that you will hardly meet a soul apart from the wonderful wildlife, peace and tranquility - road work is non existent - bliss! When you’re not riding why not help yourself to a free frothy coffee, sit and relax on the comfy sofas in front of the plasma screen TV and watch the students exercising the horses in the indoor arena. Alternatively arrange for Bill the owner, former national carriage driving champion, to take you for a carriage ride. He has competed in England and abroad, but now enjoys teaching for leisure. Fortnightly clinics run at the centre with John Smart, a former prize-winner at Badminton and an International show jumper, so why not enquiry about availability and join a clinic. Dressage clinics are also available, enquire for dates.
There is free WiFi in the reception area of the centre. All of the accommodation is non smoking. The horse riding offered is suitable for everyone including complete beginners. There is a maximum weight limit of 13 stone. The minimum age is 4 years old.
Cost
Under 18 beginner: 2 nights B&B, 2 x private lessons & 2 x hacks £285pp
Adult beginner: 2 nights B&B, 2 x private lessons & 2 x hacks £335pp
Under 18 intermediate/advanced: 2 nights B&B, 2 x private lessons & 2 x hacks £365pp
Adult intermediate/advanced: 2 nights B&B, 2 x private lessons & 2 x hacks £410pp
Single room supplement £20 per night
Well behaved dogs welcome (1 only)
We have a great range of horse riding holidays as well as riding breaks in Cheshire offering tuition in all disciplines and hacking out on well trained horses. into Delamere Forest. Please have a browse through our full range of equestrian holidays.
We inspect all the horses in our horse riding holidays to ensure the best quality holiday for you.