Category: Events

[caption id="attachment_1284" align="alignright" width="225"] Elliot enjoying competing in the dressage and handy pony class.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1283" align="alignright" width="300"] One of our young riders enjoying doing the handy pony course.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1282" align="alignright" width="300"] Our dressage winner.[/caption] On the May bank holiday we had a in house dressage competition for HRDA riders. It was great to see some new people having their first go at competing. Ryan Gwilliam is setting the standard this year by winning his second in house dressage competition on Maisie. After the Dressage we set up a handy pony course which a number of riders enjoyed riding around. Whilst the competition was going on we had a BBQ outside, and stalls selling cakes, crafts and many other donated items. There was a great atmosphere and it was…

A big thank you to Hereford Lions club for organising a surprise visit from Nick Skelton on Monday May the 14th 2018. A number of riders and volunteers enjoyed meeting him and being able to ask him various questions about his career, whilst being able to hold his Olympic medals. He watched a couple of lessons that were going on, for adults and children, and was very interested in how our riders benefit physically and mentally from riding. Later he was shown around our stables and met our team of horses, whilst asking many questions about the centre. He very kindly had ago on our mechanical horse for photos and as you can see he kindly posed for this photo and many more.

[caption id="attachment_1255" align="alignright" width="169"] The winning combination.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1245" align="alignright" width="169"] Enjoying her first competition.[/caption] Our open day went very well thanks to our Judge, competitors and volunteers. In the morning our clients took part in a dressage competition, for some of them it was their first experience of competing. Huge congratulations to Ryan Quilliam for winning the competition on Maisie, by riding a very accurate walk, trot test. Later we set up a handy pony course in the indoor school, which comprised of 12 tasks such as opening a gate, throwing a ball through a hoop and many more. Some riders had never seen this before and were keen to have ago. Whilst this was going on visitors watched the proceedings, brought some lovely cakes that had been baked…

To celebrate our actual Anniversary we had a hours hack, in which we went for a lovely hack up above Holme Lacy House. It was a very warm day and we came back to enjoy drinks and a beautifull cake, which was made by Sue Griffiths. Through the week we had a number of groups who came to see us. They were able to look around the yard, have a go on our mechanical horse, and sit and watch the lessons that were going on. They enjoyed some drinks and anniversary cake whilst chatting. It had a great effect on one lady who suffers from dementia, as she suddenly started talking about her past with horses, to the surprise of her carers. Some of the people that had a go…

HALF TERM FUN. We ran lots of activities, that were very popular. On the Monday we ran a own a pony day, which was full up. During the day riders were busy grooming their ponies, tacking up and untacking for lessons. They learnt about the day to day care of the ponies. They also rode in a gymkhana in the morning and had a flat lesson in the afternoon. This gave them the opportunity to spend time with their favourite pony, and make new friends. We also had our first hour group jumping lesson, which went very well. Blue really seemed to enjoy his jumping. It was great to see our horses and riders taking on the challenge. All riders are very keen to do more jumping sessions. We were very…

Half Term is just round the corner.  See what we have going on.          All activities have limited spaces, not to be disappointed please book EARLY!!! Monday at 1 pm - 2 pm A Show Jumping lesson with Rachael, only book for this if you can trot of the lead rein in control. Wednesday at 10:30 am to 11:30 am  Gymkhana (games on horse back) open to all Thursday Own a Pony full day 10:30 - 3:30 or half day morning 10:30 - 12:45, half day afternoon 1:15 - 3:30 open to all Friday at 1 pm - 2 pm Hack out what ever the weather open to all Please contact the office for further information and to book a place.

The last riding lessons before Christmas were spent playing gymkhana games, poke the present, musical cones and many more. Leah and Shamrock got into the festivities by dressing up, which inspired a few of our riders. We would like to say a big thank you for all of our lovely presents, the horses particularly liked the carrots. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who are giving the horses a well deserved holiday. Merry Christmas everybody.

Halloween half term activities included a own a pony day, where riders got the chance to be involved in the day to day care of their pony. we had a lovely big group which enabled riders to meet up with old friends and make new ones. During the day they all had a group riding lesson and  went out for a hack along the old railway line. Whilst out we collected apples, so that everyone could give their pony a treat, which they all loved. During the week we took a large group out for an hours hack. This is great as it gives riders the opportunity to ride further than in their regular half hour lessons. It also means we have time to ride up above Holme Lacy house,…

BBC Children in Need came to visit us on October the 8th. They have chosen us as one of their charities, to do a short film about us. This will be aired on the main BBC Children in Need program on November the 18th. With in the film they have interviewed Joshua Freeman, one of our young riders,and his mother, talking about the importance of our center to them. They also interviewed Rachael, our Personal development officer and instructor, about the wonderful affects horses have on people, and how that helps them. As well as filming the group lesson that Joshua was riding in. I would like to thank all the riders, volunteers and staff for making the afternoon go so well. And thank you Children in need crew for…

We have constructed our very own Countryside Challenge route for our outdoor activities this Summer and training for the forthcoming Regional Qualifiers. Half Term activities now taking bookings. See our Events page or phone 01432 870 831 for details.