Riding School

Smithstone Riding School provides horse riding lessons for clients from age 4 to 16. We have a range of horses and ponies to suit everyone’s needs depending on their ability and requirements. 

Learning to ride at Smithstone is a fun and enjoyable experience while learning everything there is to know. We have a modern approach to teaching in a coaching format. We aim to have all of our riders independently riding in as short a time frame as possible. 

Safety is our number one concern. All of our facilities are brand new and state-of the art to suit both rider and horse. Our horses are well-seasoned schoolmasters. We have a variety available from beginner level to jumping or dressage.

Pricing for sessions as of 01/06/2023

Wobble-Walks - A 10 minute walk designed for a young ones first time. Great taster session. £18

Purchase this through our Facebook page or give us a call

Novice - On/Just off lead rein or building confidence

£22 - Group Session - 30 mins

£- - Private Session - Unavailable at the moment 

Intermediate - Learning to Canter
£22/32 - Group Session - 30/45 mins

£42/52 - Private Session - 30/45 mins (Limited availability)

Advanced - Independently Riding  

£32 - Group Session - 45 mins

£42/52 - Private Session - 30/45 minutes (Limited availability)

Please message the Facebook or call to book in: 01698 209939 

Payment must be made on booking or booking will not be made

1. Biosecurity: In order to safeguard the health of our animals you must not enter our premises if you have come into contact with animals at risk of spreading any notifiable or contagious diseases. Only healthy horses may be brought onto the premises.  

2. ALL Clients: Must have completed a Rider Registration Form before riding a horse. Must resubmit their Rider Registration Form if their details change. (the responsibility falls to the Parent/Guardian if the child is under 18). 

3. We reserve the right to refuse you to ride a particular horse/pony if we feel that the safety of the rider or horse is in question. You reserve the right to change to another horse/ pony, providing one is available, and it is practical and safe to do so. You also have the right to request another Instructor subject to availability. No guarantees will be made but we will do our best to make sure your preferred horse/pony is available for your lesson. 

4. Punctuality and Arrival Times: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the lesson/hack/activity, to allow time for hat fitting, payment and completion of rider registration forms. If you are late, we unfortunately cannot make that time up as other clients will be waiting for their lessons to start on time. If we are late for whatever reason we will make up your lesson/hack time. 

5. New Clients: It is strongly recommended that new clients have an Assessment/Introduction Lesson before booking anything else. This allows us to ascertain your riding level. All Clients Rules Apply. Previous Clients: If you've not been riding with us for a year or more. We reserve the right to ask you to complete another Assessment Lesson. All Clients Rules Apply. 

6. Payments: All Bookings Require Payment in Advance. (by cash/debit/credit card, BACS). It is a condition of booking that you accept our No Refund Policy. If you fail to turn up, you will be required to pay in full. Cancellations: We operate a No Refund Policy. This is a condition of booking. No Credit or Transfers are Given for late cancellations. Late Cancellations = Less than 24 hours notice. 

7. Instructors: Instructors reserve the right to refuse to teach a client for any reason. Bad Weather or Conditions: Activities might be canceled in extreme weather. You should call us on 01698 209929 before you leave for the centre if the weather is in doubt. We reserve the right to cancel riding because of bad weather at any time. Managements decision is final. 

Vouchers Purchases and Redemption: It's a condition of purchase that: The intended rider has no Medical conditions that require doctors approval. The intended rider meets our Weight Guidelines: Maximum Weight 13 Stone (82kg) (12 stone (76kg). The Purchaser and Intended rider acknowledge and agree to our Standard Terms and Conditions. Vouchers are Valid for six months. No Refunds Available. All bookings are subject to availability. 

7. Safety Equipment and Riding Wear: P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment): Every time you handle a horse you are required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. Riding Helmets: Hats (all types): Should be PAS015 or other approved standard. Must be worn and fastened at all times while riding a horse. Must be worn and fastened at all times while handling a horse. We strongly advise all customers to purchase their own helmet as soon as possible. We recommend against purchasing second hand riding helmets in case they have been damaged. We do not allow cameras or devises to be attached to helmets. Body Protectors: We do not provide body protectors. We recommend you wear one whenever riding. This is especially important if you take part in jumping classes. Riding Footwear: Clients must wear appropriate footwear while riding. 

Allowed Footwear: Jodphur Boots, Riding Boots 

Disallowed Footwear: Trainers High Heels Sandals Hiking Boots 

We reserve the right to refuse footwear we deem unsafe. We recommend toe protection whenever handling a horse. Closed toe footwear should be worn on the yards.                  

8. Jewellery:  1 .You should not wear jewellery of any kind

                       2. It's the parents responsibility to check their child isn't wearing jewellery.  

9. Extra Visitors and/or Friends of the Family: Children must be supervised at all times by a legally responsible person. Parents are advised not to leave your children unattended at any time during their stay. If spectating in the gallery, please remain as quiet as possible, and in full view of the horses/ponies & Instructor at all times. Whilst spectating, the Instructor reserves the right to ask you to leave the Indoor School if they feel the safety of the rider or horse/pony is in question. Young Children: Must be supervised at all times by a responsible person and remain quiet while lessons are in progress and not to run around. No running is permitted on the yard. 

10 Movement of Horses & ponies and Farm Equipment around the yard and surrounding areas is unavoidable and we ask you to give way to them at all times. 

11. Out of Bounds: There are No Entry signs and notices posted around the facility, you must acknowledge and obey them, ignoring them is at your own risk. The following locations are Out of Bounds without written permission from management, you must not enter them and you do so at your own risk: Fenced off areas including but not limited to: Any Stable Boxes. Hay Barn Sheds or other Buildings. Indoor School (Only Instructors and Riders allowed in the Riding Arena), Excluding the Spectator area. Fields or Paddocks. Other stable blocks and it's Grounds. Locked/Closed/Enclosed Areas or Buildings Warning Signs: We have many different warning signs all over the grounds, they are there for a reason, you must obey them. We reserve the right to ask you to leave the grounds at any time if we think you are a danger to yourself. 

12. Smoking Policy: We have a Strict No Smoking Policy, if you are caught you will be asked to leave. 

13. Pets: No pets are permitted on the premises for any reason. 

14. Horses/Ponies: All animals are unpredictable, Do Not Feed the Horses & Ponies at any time. Don't enter any field, box or make contact with a Horse or Pony at any time, without prior authorisation from a member of Management. 

15. Cars, Bicycles: We cannot be held responsible for any damage to your transportation while on the premises/grounds. 

16. Personal Property: We cannot be held responsible for Damage, Theft or Loss of your personal property while it's on the premises. Parking only in the designated public car park not in the staff car park. The drive is not a footpath and walkers are advised to take extreme care due to the uneven surface. Walking through the car park is entirely at your own risk. Maximum Speed on the premises is 5 mph. 

17. HORSES ARE A RISK SPORT – I understand that the riding school will make decisions based on the information I give them and I confirm that to the best of my knowledge all of the above details are correct. I understand that I must obey the instructions of the instructor at all times and must comply with the Health and Safety rules of Smithstone Equestrian Centre. I reserve the right not to ride a horse/pony allocated to me/my child and/or request a change of instructor. I understand that riding at any standard has inherent risk and that all horses may react unpredictably on occasions. Riders under 16 years of age: I accept full responsibility for my child and confirm that the pre-assessed abilities are correct. I accept that riding is a risk sport and that my child could fall or be injured. I understand that children are at particular risk around horses and agree that I will keep any children I am responsible for, under close supervision when they are not being instructed by the riding school.  

PLEASE NOTE: Smithstone Equestrian Centre Ltd., Owners, Staff and Managing agents cannot be held responsible for any accident, injury or loss to any persons or their property whilst on these premises or whilst out hacking or driving. 

Agreement of Terms: If you do not agree with any of Terms and Conditions, then you do not have permission to enter the premises and any bookings are null and void. Our no Cancellation Policy applies in this situation as well because our Terms and Conditions are available online and on request at any time. As such you have every opportunity to read them before booking any activity and a refund will not be available on failure to accept them.