Horse riding at Trent Park Equestrian Centre in London is great fun and an exciting day out, but if you’re new to horse riding you might have a few questions. We are regularly asked the same questions about horse riding activities at Trent Park, so we thought we’d produce this helpful little fact sheet.
Horse Riding for Adults
I’m a beginner. What horse riding lesson should I book?
We recommend either a group horse riding 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 session.
What will I learn?
These first horse riding 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 as a rider there are more advanced A group horse riding lessons, individual lessons for flatwork and position, dressage, show jumping and cross-country.
When can I hack out?
Once established in canter you can sample the bridle paths of Trent Park to explore hacking in Trent Park. Trent Park is one of the safest hacking areas in the country, with no roads or cars to contend with – just straight into the woods around the prepared bridle paths.
Horse Riding for Children
How old do my children need to be before they can ride?
We recommend that children are at least four years-old before they start to ride.
What horse riding lessons can my child have?
For children under six years we offer short individual riding lessons for just half an hour. These lessons are not designed to be overly instructional but to offer confidence and familiarity with the ponies. From five years the children’s beginners’ lessons run for an hour. Some parents like their children to have individual attention and we offer a full range of instructors to meet such requirements.
What horse riding equipment do I need/What do I need to wear?
We recommend that beginners hire equipment at first and try their hand at horse riding before buying anything. Riding hats can be hired from the centre, all of which are to the latest European safety standard, PAS 015, which exceeds the new British safety standard and is the highest standard available.
It is advisable to wear leggings, track suit bottoms, comfortable trousers with a sensible pair of boots or shoes when horse riding, preferably with a small heel and a smooth sole. Caterpillar boots are often too large and 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 you can purchase a variety of horse riding wear at the equestrian centre shop, all at discount prices. This includes riding hats, boots, jodhpurs, gloves, riding crops and medley of other horse riding related wear including Trent Park Equestrian Centre wear.
Horse Riding times
We ride every day during the week except Mondays, weekdays starting at 10:00 a.m. until 8:30pm. Weekends we ride from 9:00am through until 4:00pm. We ride in all weathers. There are two international size indoor arenas, an outside dressage ménage, children’s rings, cross country course etc. Each horse riding lesson lasts one hour.
How do I book a horse riding lesson?
To book a horse riding lesson, call us on (020) 8363 8630. All riding lessons should be booked. Whilst it is sometimes possible to turn up on the off chance, a quick telephone call saves disappointment. Once booked the space is yours. Any cancellations must be notified to us a full 24 hours in advance. Any cancellation of absence less than 24 hours in advance will be subject to a cancellation charge of between half and full price depending on the amount of notice given. If you need to change your time for the same day or even the same weekend we will always endeavour to help, but please remember that the riding centre will charge for late cancellation or no shows.
