First riding gear

[Curleyhazel]

Dd is starting riding lessons soon and I wondered what basic gear I need to get for her. I guess a hat and body protector are essential but what else will she need to get started?

Also (and this is a bit silly) but she saw a girl at the pony club with a pink body protector. Does anyone know where I might find one? Tia

Sorry Butkin, it's just that I can think of lots of things much better than willies .

We drive over an hour to get to Ingatestone Saddlery - we think it's great. www.ingatestonesaddlery.co.uk/

Patchetts makes me shudder!

Colman's Croft in St Albans is where I went as a child, it was brilliant then, dont know now.

Thanks cookielove, that's really useful.

butkin can i ask why Patchetts makes you shudder?
i am just curious as I finished my training there 30 years ago when it was quite a different place, it was a lovely friendly school.

We go to a BSPS show (15a) in the Spring at Patchetts every year. It is always rammed and very competitive. The car parks overfill by about 7am and then you have to go across the motorway and bring the ponies across on the footbridge. The warm ups are always heaving and the classes chock full of top ponies.

Nothing wrong with the place at all but it is probably one of our most stressful shows of the year - mostly because of the car parking..

ahh fond memories of the motorway footbridge...

I order all my saddlery from TexanSaddles.com who ship for free and stock a large range of saddles. Customer support is good too for an online tack shop.

Titmuss in weathampstead is good if you still looking for a tack shop in herts

I don't think she will need a body protector yet.

Shop near park street/watford- are you on about butterfoal?
Patchetts great- maybe slightly more expensive, but one member staff especially who is amazing & just knows everything!!