Membership options
As we reintroduce riders back to their sessions during the summer of 2020 we will be transferring our weekly prices to membership rates. We feel that this is the fairest way to pay as it means that we can keep prices as low as possible and it also encourages commitment which is necessary for horses. For those with existing funding to help with the cost of their riding, this funding will continue and we hope to be able to find funding for those who wish to ride and yet cannot afford to so please contact us if money is an issue. Monthly prices are worked out by taking weekly prices and multiplying them by 52 and dividing by 12. Some are rounded up to the nearest pound.
We hope to start this method of payment on Monday 1st June 2020
Bronze (£48 per month- £11 per week)
Riding only
A bronze membership is for one £11 half hour lesson per week which is usually in a group. This is recommended for beginners and those who are new to horse riding. We do also allow a ‘half bronze’ membership for those riding every other week. Riding each week is definitely preferred as it is much better for a young rider’s confidence and helps them to make good progress.
Volunteer only
A bronze volunteer only package is for £11 and it covers a two and a half hour session of supported volunteering from 9 to 11.30 and is for younger children who wish to volunteer but need supervision. Adults can volunteer with one younger child for free as long as the child listens well and follows instructions but further children will need supervision from other members of staff and so we will need a contribution towards this. This is package is generally aimed at homeschooled children
Silver (£74 per month- £17 per week)
Junior
A silver junior membership costs £17 per week and is for one half hour riding session per week and an hour stable management lesson. Both of these are in small groups. This is designed for riders who are total beginners through to those who are able to walk and trot off the leadrope and starting to canter. The horse care will cover all aspects that the Junior members will need for volunteering.
Riding only
A silver riding only membership is also for £17 and covers an hour riding lesson.
Volunteering and ride
A silver volunteering membership costs £17 per week and is for those who are of a Stage 1 standard or are training for a BHS exam. This usually includes volunteering at the stables in exchange for extra training for the theory side of the BHS exam (around half an hour stable management per week). Sessions are usually 3.5 hours long on a Saturday or Sunday Morning or after school. This is for teenagers who are committed to progressing their riding and knowledge and also benefiting the horses at the stables. Riders will be assessed on their maturity and ability before starting to volunteer. If spaces are short those working towards exams and those showing the most maturity, reliability and commitment will be prioritised.
Silver plus (£87 per month)
Supported Volunteering
This is at a cost of £20 per week and covers a ½ hour ride and supported volunteering for the morning from 8 to 11.30. This is often suitable for homeschoolers who need extra supervision and for those who are building up their skills and independence to be able to work with limited supervision.
riding only
For younger riders or beginner riders wanting to make progress more quickly. This membership is for two 1/2 hour lessons a week for £20 per week and is to build confidence in walk and trot and in coming off the leadrope. We find that when you are just starting lessons or for younger riders an hour is just too long and also a week is a long time between lessons. This allows two shorter sessions per week so they can keep their confidence up and practice their skills regularly.
Gold (£130 per month- £30 per week)
Junior
A gold junior membership costs £30 per week and covers two sessions per week. In the one session they would have 1 hr riding and in the other session this would be half hour riding and 1hr stable management (this could eventually transition to a few hours supported volunteering as they progress). This is recommended for riders who are able to walk and trot off the leadrope and are starting to canter as the hour lesson gives us longer to develop their canter work.
Riding only
A Gold riding only membership is for £30 a week and covers two 1 hr riding sessions per week
Volunteering + Ride
A gold volunteering membership costs £30 and covers two riding sessions of 1 hr per week. This is accompanied by volunteering which may be tailored to the individual but typically covers a day of volunteering 8 till 3 at the weekend or in week days if the young person is in college and one session after school (again perhaps with some volunteering). Extra training for stable management will be given in exchange for volunteering. This is for teenagers who are committed to progressing their riding and knowledge particularly in the direction of BHS exams and with a long term commitment to the horses at the stables. Riders will be assessed on their maturity and ability before starting to volunteer and must be regular and reliable.
Platinum (£195 per month – £45 per week)
Riding only
This would be at the cost of £45 and would cover three 1 hr riding sessions per week
Volunteering
A platinum volunteering membership costs £45 and covers three riding sessions of 1 hr per week. This is accompanied by volunteering which may be tailored to the individual but typically covers a two days of volunteering 8 till 3 at the weekend or in week days if the young person is in college and one session after school (again perhaps with some volunteering). Extra training for stable management will be given in exchange for volunteering. This is for teenagers who are committed to progressing their riding and knowledge particularly in the direction of BHS exams and with a long term commitment to the horses at the stables. Riders will be assessed on their maturity and ability before being allowed to volunteer and must be regular and reliable.
Packages can be tailored to suit so please enquire for more details.
FAQ
When are sessions available?
Please get in touch to talk about available sessions as this can vary on age and ability. Saturday and Sunday mornings are primarily reserved for those with volunteer memberships. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are generally for those who have junior memberships and bronze memberships. We have plenty of availability after school and during the school day for those at college or homeschooling and so can be more flexible at these times. We are starting a Friday afternoon volunteer slot and we are looking to start one other volunteer slot after school.
Are the sessions group sessions?
Yes the sessions are generally group sessions of between 6 and 8- If numbers exceed 8 there are generally two instructors for the group (where possible we have a junior instructor assisting if numbers exceed four). Currently due to covid lessons are in groups of 4 or 5.
What is the difference between a stable management lesson and supported volunteering?
Stable management lessons would include lessons on tacking up or plaiting where an instructor may demonstrate and then children and young people may take turns to have a go. The emphasis is on learning new tasks – often with the aim of being able to volunteer in the future or with taking exams.
Supported volunteering is focused more on completing the every day tasks that are needed to keep the horses healthy but that person may need assistance to complete these tasks e.g. supervision in mucking out or leading horses. An individual will be allocated to supervise up to four supported volunteers. There may be less variation in tasks and less focus on learning new things – instead the focus will be on gaining independence and confidence. Supported volunteering may be a good step after pony days and stable management to help join the main group of volunteers or it may be ideal for those new to horses or those with disabilities.
Can I book for private sessions?
Private sessions are at an extra cost and are not covered by these packages. We do not generally book private sessions unless they are needed due to disability, specific requirement (eg loss of confidence after a fall) or a young person having an exam booked. This is because we wish to keep those available for those who really need them.
How are payments made?
Payments are made by direct debit through our bank account. Please also reference the payment with the child's full name.
What if I can’t make a session?
As long as 12 hours notice is given (either by phone, text or on facebook) or if the session is CANCELLED then it can be rebooked within a month or to the nearest school holidays in some cases. Lessons where insufficient notice is given or where parents cancel due to light rain will not be be rebooked. Please be aware when committing to horseriding that it is an outdoor sport and requires a great deal of commitment. We often have a waiting list of children so it is really difficult for us when sessions are empty due to late cancellations and children are waiting for a place to become available to ride.
Can I cancel over the winter and restart when the weather is better?
we have many children and parents who are willing to turn up summer and winter so please don't expect to be able to cancel memberships in the winter and restart in the spring as we have at least twice as many bills in the winter so we would rather fill spaces with riders who continue throughout the year. We also find that riders make a lot of progress in the winter (we tend to do a lot of faster work to keep riders warm) so riders who stop over winter months tend to progress much less than their peers.
We strongly believe in the quote but Alfred Wainwright 'there is no such thing as bad weather- only unsuitable clothing'. We keep spare coats at the field for children to borrow if they do not have suitable waterproofs but a good coat is a good investment.
What if i am unable to ride due to injury or a long holiday?
If there is a short period of illness eg a month the sessions can either be caught up over the next 6 months or the membership can be paused. We would prefer the sessions are carried forward as this will help the young person to regain their confidence after the break and to keep up with their peers
Can I increase the membership for a couple of months and then return to my original membership?
Yes this is possible provided we have space and may be a good idea if preparing for an exam or if working on a specific target such as learning to canter.
Can I book one off sessions?
Yes these can be paid for by bank transfer into our bank account.
The prices for one off sessions which are not part of a monthly package will change slightly. The new prices will be in place by September 2020 as by then we hope to have moved everyone over to the monthly membership options.
Child Half hour Lesson £13
Child Hour Lesson £20
Adult half hour lesson £20
Adult hour lesson £27