Frequently Asked Questions

We are regularly asked the same questions and to answer just a few we have developed this little fact sheet.

We are probably the biggest Riding school in the country helping thousands of people to improve their riding skills every year. In fact, we have probably taught more people to ride in the last thirty years than ay other riding school in the world!

With a team of friendly, dedicated and trained instructors, a wide range of quality horses and ponies for all levels of rider we are able to give a first class service. Safety is our number one priority. All this has made us London's top riding centre.

ADULTS

We recommend either a group lesson with a few other novice riders, termed a C lesson or alternatively an INDIVIDUAL lesson where an instructor can give you personal attention for the whole lesson.

These first lessons will help you master the basic principles of riding, mounting, holding the reins, starting, stopping, walking, basic turns and of course, dismounting! The next stages include mastering the rising trot and finally – cantering. Once established in canter you can sample the bridle paths of Trent Park to explore, hacking in Trent Park is the safest hacking in the area, there are no roads or cars to contend with – just straight into the woods around the prepared bridle paths. Once established as a rider there are more advanced A group lessons, Individual lessons for flatwork and position, dressage, show jumping and cross-country.

CHILDREN

We recommend that children are at least four years old before they start to ride. For the youngest children, under 6 we offer short individual lesson for just half an hour, these lessons are not designed to be overly instructional but to offer confidence and familiarity with the ponies. From 5 years the children’s beginners’ lessons run for an hour. To begin the pony will be led; basic principles of control, holding the reins, balance, mounting and dismounting will be taught. Some of these basics will be taught with the aid of simple games, hands on the head, round the world on horseback etc. This primary instruction should enable the child to feel confident and happy to continue to learn further, trotting, and ultimately cantering, all without all leader. These transitions being made through the Intermediate (B group) and Advanced (A group lessons). Some parents like their children to have individual attention and we offer a full range of instructors to give that special individual attention.

Pony days and weeks

During all school holidays we offer an exciting hands on day at Trent Park Equestrian Centre – for both beginners and advanced riders – Arrive to begin at 10:30. 2 hours riding, either lessons or rides dependent on the child’s ability, lectures, hands on grooming and general pony care. Bring a packed lunch and have this with your instructor (not to share!) and ready for home at 4:30 P.M. Either daily or weekly (Tues-Fri) this is a wonderful way to gain experience and really improve the riding.

Equipment

For the beginner we don’t recommend that you buy all the equipment. Riding hats can be hired from the centre, all the hats we have are to the latest European safety standard, PAS 015, which exceeds the new British safety standard and is the highest safety standard available. It is advisable to wear leggings, track suit bottoms, comfortable trousers with a sensible pair of boots or shoes, preferably with a small heel and a smooth sole. Caterpillar boots are often too large; jeans can rub on the seams in all the wrong places! Trainers are not acceptable footwear and we strongly advise that wherever you are in the World DO NOT ride in trainers – they are dangerous. We have some boots available to borrow. Once you are riding we are able to offer from the centre, riding hats, boots, jodhpurs, gloves, riding crops and medley of other horse related wear including TRENT PARK EQUESTRIAN wear, all at a discount price.

Times

We ride every day during the week except Mondays, weekdays starting at 11:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Weekends we ride from 9:00 a.m. through until 3:45 p.m. We ride in all weathers. There are two International size indoor arenas, an outside dressage ménage, children’s rings, cross country course etc. All lessons are for one hour.

Bookings

All lessons should be booked, it is sometimes possible to turn up on the off chance but a quick telephone call saves disappointment. Once booked the space is yours – if you need to cancel, for whatever reason then the cancellation must be made within 24 hours. If 24 hours notice is not given then a half price cancellation charge will be made. This may seem a hard condition to accept but please compare it to a theatre or concert ticket that you book, if you don’t go then you have already paid. Many stables operate a system that you pay on booking – this is not a system we wish to use. If you need to change your time within the same day or weekend, if you want a friend to use the booking we will always endeavour to help, BUT the centre needs to charge for these late cancellations or not turning up when you have booked.

Events at Trent Park

Lessons and rides are just part of the story, we offer clients the chance to compete in our regular Friday night Show Jumping and Dressage competitions, watch competitors from all over the country compete at affiliated and unaffiliated Show Jumping and Dressage. Watch a variety of celebrated professionals give lectures and demonstrations. For children we can even organise one of our popular riding Birthday Parties. Not to be missed there are also Bank Holiday Pub Rides to the woods at Whitewebbs.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Are you open on Mondays?
	No, the school's opening days
Can I ride with trainers?
	NEVER. Trainers are dangerous
Do you cater for all standards
	Yes, we have horses and ponies
I rode for a while as a child
	We would advise for your first
What age do you teach children
	We start to teach from the age