Welcome to Barguse Riding Centre
Barguse Riding Centre is owned and operated by Lisa and Alistair Todd, who bring decades of experience in caring for, riding, and training horses.
We are passionate about helping children and adults achieve their potential while enjoying time with horses. Our approach combines skillful teaching with a sympathetic and fun atmosphere, perfectly captured in our motto: “Coaching is our passion.”
As pioneers in the field, we were the first riding school in Cornwall to achieve Clubmark accreditation and remain one of only 40 equestrian establishments in the UK to hold this prestigious status.
Our Mission
At Barguse, we aim to teach more than just riding skills. We focus on stable management, horse handling, and overall care, ensuring our riders gain a well-rounded equestrian education.
Our offerings include:
- Children’s Saturday Club – A popular program that fosters skills, confidence, and fun.
- Take Back the Reins – Tailored lessons for adults returning to riding after a break.
We are committed to making riding enjoyable and accessible for everyone, while highlighting the mental and physical health benefits of spending time with horses. Whether your goals involve competition, horse ownership, or simply improving your skills, we’re here to support your journey.
Inclusive Programs
We are proud to deliver specialized sessions that make a difference in people’s lives:
- Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH): Working with schools and organizations, we offer tailored sessions for children and vulnerable adults. These sessions benefit individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum conditions, learning difficulties, and other challenges. Visit our Changing Lives Through Horses page for more information.
- Accessibility Mark Centre: We run customized sessions for adults and children with varying disabilities. Our programs are developed in collaboration with specialists to meet the unique needs of each rider. Details can be found on the relevant page of our website.
Lisa and Alistair purchased Barguse Riding Centre in August 2007. Located near the village of Lockengate, just a mile from the A30 between Bodmin and St. Austell, the centre is set amidst 50 acres of stunning Cornish countryside.
Our facilities include a range of excellent amenities and are home to 32 horses and ponies. In addition to riding lessons, the facilities are available for hire by clubs for shows, training sessions, and charity events.
Unique Experiences
- Advanced riders can enjoy summer hacks to Helman Tor, while our popular lead-rein hacks are a treat during fine weather.
- We are just 20 minutes from some of the UK’s finest beaches and 10 minutes from the world-famous Eden Project, making us a favorite for holidaymakers looking to polish their riding skills.
Please note: We are not a trekking centre and offer hacking exclusively for our regular riders.
We operate year-round and are fortunate to have a large indoor riding arena equipped with full training mirrors and a further large outdoor arena.
About Lisa Todd
Lisa brings a wealth of experience to her coaching, having run a successful livery yard in Ascot, Berkshire, for 15 years. During this time, she focused on training and schooling her own and clients’ horses while providing top-quality tuition. Her formative years were dedicated to competing in British Showjumping (BS), British Eventing (BE), and British Dressage (BD). She has trained and produced horses across these disciplines and competed to advanced level in British Dressage, showcasing her depth of skill and commitment to equestrian sport.
Lisa has had the privilege of working with several renowned trainers throughout her career, including Richard Waygood and German trainer Michael Beining. She credits Michael with revolutionizing her understanding of the German Scales of Training and the correct use of the rider’s seat. These insights sparked her passion for exploring the biomechanics of horse and rider, helping them work together in harmony to achieve balance, effectiveness, and connection.
A Holistic Approach to Coaching
Lisa’s coaching philosophy is built on the belief that success in equestrian sport requires the integration of physical skills, technical knowledge, and a strong mindset. While her teaching focuses on developing a rider’s practical and technical abilities—such as biomechanics, position, and their influence on the horse—she places equal importance on fostering a growth mindset. She believes that understanding the mental aspects of riding is essential to unlocking a rider’s potential and creating a harmonious partnership with their horse.
In her own training sessions, Lisa noticed a common oversight: too much focus on the horse and not enough attention to the rider’s position and mindset, both of which play a crucial role in the horse’s performance. She observed that riders often underestimate the mental preparation and body awareness needed to truly influence their horse effectively. Just as top athletes must train their minds and bodies to excel, riders need to adopt the same approach to achieve a dynamic and polished performance.
Empowering Riders of All Levels
Lisa is passionate about coaching riders at every level—from competitive riders and private amateur horse owners to riding school juniors. She believes it’s never too late to develop the skills and mindset needed for success, emphasizing that this is as much for the horse’s benefit as the rider’s. While everyone has the capacity to improve, achieving greatness requires quality practice, a positive attitude, and a deep understanding of the horse’s movement and the rider’s influence.
Tailored Techniques for Success
Lisa uses a variety of tools and techniques to help riders develop their skills and build confidence. Her sessions often include exercises that highlight the importance of biomechanics, rider posture, and mental focus, all aimed at creating safe, effective, and empathetic riders with happy, harmonious horses.
To further support her riders, Lisa has earned a range of certifications:
- UKCC Accredited Coach
- Licensed Flying Changes Mindset Equestrian Coach
- Certified NLP Practitioner®
- Certified Timeline Resourcing® Practitioner
Her qualifications in mindset coaching allow her to address the unique challenges riders face, from overcoming confidence issues to refining their focus during competition. She works to adapt her coaching style to suit each rider’s needs, helping them achieve their goals in a way that feels empowering and achievable.
For more information about mindset coaching, visit our dedicated Mindset Coaching Page Mindset Coaching – Barguse Riding Centre
For tips, you can check out the blogs on here, follow Lisa on insta at lisa_toddcoaching or on FB at Lisa Todd Coaching.
About Lisa and Alistair Todd
Lisa manages Barguse Riding Centre on a daily basis, ensuring its smooth operation and delivering top-notch coaching to riders of all levels. Alistair, while primarily focused on his role as a veterinary surgeon, lends his expertise to the centre when his equine veterinary skills are required.
Alistair brings extensive experience from his years at Scott-Dunn’s Straight Mile Equine Clinic in Berkshire, an eight-vet practice dedicated solely to equine care. During his time there, he worked with horses across a wide range of disciplines, including racing, polo, dressage, showjumping, eventing, driving, pony club, pleasure horses, and rescue centres.
Notable clients included Her Majesty the Queen (at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Hampton Court), His Majesty King Charles III, Andrew Balding, and the Guards Polo Club, among many others. Alistair also served as a racecourse veterinary surgeon at Kempton, Sandown, and Epsom, while attending local point-to-point races, the Royal Windsor Horse Show, affiliated BE events, polo matches, and pony club events.
Currently, Alistair is a Clinical Director at Kernow Veterinary Group, where he is frequently seen around Cornwall and at local equestrian events, including point-to-points. He also utilizes the excellent facilities at Barguse Riding Centre when necessary.
Alistair offers a full range of equine veterinary services, including:
- Pre-purchase vettings
- Dentistry
- Castrations
- Lameness work-ups
- Artificial Insemination (AI)
Supporting the Local Community
At Barguse Riding Centre, we believe in making our facilities available for the benefit of the local community. Wherever possible, we strive to support local businesses and welcome any inquiries or collaboration opportunities.