A cost effective way for your child to learn to ride and make new friends is by joining our Saturday Club groups. Children from the age of 5 may join these sessions. (Please see our Pony Pals sessions for ages 2 – 4).
These sessions are split into seven or eight levels from complete beginners who have never ridden or are relatively new to the sport, up to our advanced junior riders.
*Please note that although these sessions are 60 mins long, the actual riding time may be slightly less with the beginners and novice groups as we teach them how to mount, check girths and adjust their stirrups. A vital skill we like to teach them early on in their riding journey.
Each rider will be assessed and monitored each week, with notes kept on their progress and when the coach is confident the rider is comfortable at that level, they will be moved up to the next session after discussing with the parents.
We actively encourage parents to ask questions regarding their child’s progress but ask them to respect the coach’s decisions. The technical skills are just one aspect of riding, confidence, fitness and the child’s mindset make up the other parts. Therefore, we may offer the child the chance to try out a higher level session and see how they get on.
It is important they understand that it is better to be happy and confident in a lower level group than struggling in a session too far out of their comfort zone! Each child progresses at their own rate and we are there to help them achieve their own personal goals whatever they may be.
It is with this in mind that we aim to ensure we offer a space for your child on a weekly or fortnightly basis (depending on your preference) rather than via a block booking system or first come, first served system. This allows us to maintain the levels of the groups and ensure that riders can progress.
We do have a waiting list for most of our sessions including Saturday Club and once we have a place come up, we will contact you. If a complete beginner, an assessment session will not be necessary, if your child has done some riding previously, we arrange an assessment session just so we know which group will work the best.
We make a commitment to then keep that slot for each week or fortnight with the expectation that the rider regularly attends. Please note these sessions are non-refundable and non-transferable as a result. If you don’t wish to have a regular slot or adhere to the cancellation policy then we ask parents to call a few days before and see if we have a spare slot.
* Each lesson will need to be booked in advance.
* You will not be able to just turn up on the day. We ask that each child turns up promptly on the hour to allow us to mount up each rider in order to start promptly at a quarter past the hour.
* Please note that Saturday Club sessions are non-refundable/non-transferable.
* Slots will be limited so please book well in advance to ensure a place.
If your child wishes to stay and “help” out around the ponies then we do permit this providing they are of a certain age and understand the safety aspects of being around large animals. They may stay for a few hours or a full day but we ask that they sign in and out on the register. We make no charge for this and ask that you send your child with a packed lunch and plenty of clothing!
Although, they will be monitored, these are not structured sessions and no formal tuition will be provided. Formal stable management sessions are run on badge mornings and throughout the holidays.
However, please note that we will not be held responsible for any child left on the yard not attending lessons unless prior permission has been sought.