Riding lessons- Indoor Arena

Welcome to ‘The Riding School at Lodge Farm’                                                                                                        Lodge Farm Equestrian Centre, Wetley Rocks:

Information for Riders:

ALL new clients will be asked to book an induction which will involve filling in the necessary forms and checking Height & Weight before you are able to book your first lesson. ALL Assessment Lessons must be booked & paid for In Advance.

Cancellation Policy:

All lessons MUST be cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice.  If cancelled after that period or following the Non Attendance of a lesson,  your FULL Lesson Fee WILL BE charged. Please make sure that when at Lodge Farm, cancellations made with your instructor, are recorded in the booking diary but PLEASE NOTE that for confirmation purposes ALL Cancellations Must ALSO Be Made via text or Voice Mail, to the Riding School Manager (Debbie) using the Riding School Mobile – 07496565521

Tuition:

• All new clients will be offered a half hour private assessment lesson to determine their suitability to join a group also, which group will suit them best. If not yet ready to join a group, private lessons will be offered. Riding tuition is carefully planned and structured to meet the individual needs of clients.

• Please note that due to the health and safety of clients, staff and horses, and the appropriateness of our current horses, at present the RIDER WEIGHT LIMIT is 13 stone (79.37 kilos) subject to change.

• All riders must be able to walk, trot and canter independently and to a suitable level of competence before being offered a place in a group lesson, therefore introductory private half hour lessons will be available for beginners or more inexperienced clients.

• Children from the age of seven years can receive introductory riding lessons, usually half hour private lessons, until they are of a suitable level of competence to join a group. Younger children, aged four to six years, will be offered fifteen minute lead rein lessons. Our Instructors may decide that individual children could be confident and strong enough to receive half hour private lessons before the age of seven.

• Half hour children’s group lessons will consist of no more than four riders. One hour group lessons (Adults or Children), will consist of no more than six riders.

• Semi-private lessons (two riders) are available for riders of similar ability who are no longer riding on the lead rein or lunge.

• Private lessons (one to one tuition) are also available.

• We aim to provide you with a horse/pony suited to your needs. Pupils are grouped according to ability and are encouraged to progress.

• Your choice to ride is voluntary. We take care to provide suitable horses and ponies for our clients and we will do our utmost to keep you safe, however, horses and ponies may sometimes be unpredictable. Personal insurance is recommended.

• All our instructors hold recognised teaching qualifications within the BHS (British Horse Society), RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) and/or ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) Structure. There may also be some supervised

Supervision and Safety:

• All our staff and trainees are given training in safety procedures including what to do in the event of an accident or fire and hold current First Aid and Safeguarding Qualifications. They also receive regular on-going ‘in-house’ and external training.

• Children will be supervised by qualified staff whilst they are participating in lessons.

• Children will not be supervised outside their allocated lesson time – this is the responsibility of the accompanying parent, guardian or carer.

• Clients arriving for lessons should wait in the gallery until met by your instructor or a member of staff.

• Clients should not enter the arena or stable area unless accompanied by an instructor. Paddocks are strictly out of bounds at all times.

• An incident book is kept at the Equestrian Centre for the recording of minor accidents by staff, trainees and clients.

Clothing:

• Correctly fitting hats with attached 3 point fastening, to a current BSI standard MUST be worn (securely fastened) at all times when riding or handling horses or ponies. Hats can be borrowed from the Riding School.

• Arms  MUST be covered when riding or handling the horses and ponies

• Comfortable trousers or jodhpurs are recommended (not jeans).

• Boots or shoes with smooth soles and small heels – NO wellingtons or trainers.

• Gloves MUST be worn.

• Warm, waterproof clothing must be worn in cold, wet weather.

• A body protector which meets the current BETA (British Equestrian Trade. Body Protector Standard is strongly recommended, and is mandatory for cross country/arena event lessons.

• All long hair MUST be tied back in a low pony tail, plait or hairnet – NO loose hair.

• High-visibility /reflective safety wear MUST be worn when riding or leading on the road and when hacking out.

• Jewellery should NOT be worn: hooped or drop earrings, bracelets, large rings and necklaces (and all body piercings), can be a hazard and for your safety should be REMOVED while riding or handling horses.

• We have the right, on the grounds of health & safety, to refuse a rider if suitable clothing is not worn when riding.

Current Riding School Time Table:

Mondays: 3.00 – 6.30

Tuesdays: 4.00 – 8.00 Pony Club 5.30-8.00

Wednesdays: 4.30 – 8.00

Thursdays: 11.00 – 6.30 Pony Club 5.30-8.00

Fridays:  11.00 – 8.00

Saturdays: Pony Club 8.00-3.00  Lessons by Special Arrangement only

Sundays: Lessons by Special Arrangement only

Regular or ‘One-off’ Lessons, Stable Management Training, University & School Groups or Hacks can also be arranged Any Weekday from 9.00am on wards – please contact the Riding School Manager to arrange.

Riders wishing to Hack must first arrange an Assessment Lesson and All Hacks will be Escorted – NO UNACCOMPANIED HORSE HIRE.

Prices:

10 minute ‘Walk About’ Pony Rides for 3 & 4 year olds Wednesdays and Fridays (During School Term Time Only): £10.00

Fifteen Minute Lead Rein Lessons – 4, 5 & 6 year olds: £10.00

 Half Hour Private Lessons – : £25.00

 45 Minute Adults Private Lesson – £ 40.00

 Half Hour Semi-private Lesson (two Riders of a Similar Ability and Riding independently in Walk & Trot – ie NOT on the Lead Rein) – Children 6 – 16 years &/or Adults: £20.00 per rider

Half Hour Children’s  Lead Rein Group Lesson (max six Riders): £15.00 per rider

 Half Hour Children’s Group Lesson (max Four Riders) Riding independently in Walk & Trot: £15.00 per rider

 One Hour  Group Lesson (max Six Riders) Children & Adults: £25.00 per rider

Pony Club Badge Training Saturday’s 9.30 – 12.30 (MUST be a Pony Club Member): £15.00

Riding School Contact Details:

Email – info@lodgefarmriding.co.uk

Riding School Manager: Debbie Machin –07496565521

Equestrian Centre Office – 01782 551961

Equestrian Centre Proprietors – Christina Carr – 07815803775  &  Ken Carr – 07973363781