Occasional riding for an experienced rider

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I'm in a bit of a quandary and wondered if anyone had any bright ideas I haven't thought of yet.

I'm fairly experienced, I enjoy schooling, jumping up to 3', fast hacks. I like competing though haven't in a while. I used to share horses (lack of time/money to own) but since having my child I haven't been able to.

I'm now in a position where I have time to ride maybe twice a month. I figured my options were to either ride a friend's horse or go to a riding school, since I'm not available often enough for another share.

I've tried riding a friend's horse (her idea to start with) but it's kind of petered out as her kids are older and she has plenty of time to ride now herself. Another friend with a horse just sold and gave up riding, another moved away from the area and so where I started out with lots of offers of "come ride anytime", I now have none. I then tried a riding school, but I'm not going back as I'm bored rigid in the lessons, which have far too many in each one and follow the age old format (all walk, whole ride trot, individuals trot, individuals canter, pop a tiny cross pole, done). I'm not learning anything and just wasting money, and they don't do private lessons at weekends which is when I can go.

Is there something I'm missing that's in between the riding school level and owning/loaning/sharing level (where I could have lessons with great freelance instructors for less than the group lesson at the riding school)? I haven't ever heard of instructors allowing people to ride their own horses, but I feel like that's the kind of thing I need.

I'm just clutching at straws really as I want to keep riding but don't want to go back to the riding school.

Have you tried a different school? After we moved the breadth of the country, I tried 5 different schools before I found one I like. The teacher is brilliant, we do different things each week and I like most of the horses. I am traveling further than I wanted to but it’s worth it for a decent lesson.

Definitely try a different riding school. I had a break from horses and horse ownership, I knew Id hate your average or even above average riding school then we moved to an area with one of the countries most famous up the road. It got me back into horse, genuine top instructors, real school masters, etc, and only private lessons (at weekends as well).
These type of places are few and far between, could your travel say once a month and have 3-4 lessons on one day?

Definitely find a different riding school and do private lessons - you'll do much more than popping a single cross pole!

I haven't ever heard of instructors allowing people to ride their own horses, but I feel like that's the kind of thing I need

My instructor will teach me on her horses but only because she taught me on my horse before he retired so she knows what my riding is like. I think yes, look for a better riding school. I know someone in the Bristol area who trains people to a very high standard (think British team kind of standard), so they are out there, but unless you're really lucky you'd have to travel.

Do you have a local RDA? As a student I used to go to my local one and take some of their ponies out for a bit of fresh air and a real leg stretch ;) everyone was happy with the arrangement.

Ooh, not sure on the RDA, I'll look into that, thanks!

This is the closest riding school and I do know of one much, much further away with excellent lessons (quite famous) but sadly time is a massive issue so I couldn't go away the whole day to do a couple of lessons, I need to be out and back asap. It's also double the cost so wouldn't really be doable as I don't earn much at the moment. Good idea, though.

I think there is another riding school further out than the one I've been going to - it looks pretty standard too but I was thinking I'd try that, just in case it's better.

My one isn’t particularly flash but it’s just got a really good mix. It’s well worth trying the other one. Maybe even try a couple of different instructors at the schools if that helps. My instructor does her own thing and I like her much more than the others at the school because of this and because she doesn’t let us finish on a sour note (ie she always finds time or another way to give the object of the lesson another go).

Thanks - I've got a day in 3 weeks' time I could ride so I'm going to phone up the other place tomorrow and book in.

Looks like they do jump clinics and things so it sounds more promising already.

On the RDA front, it turns out the local one is at the riding school I've been going to! So that's a no!

Hello OP. Is there a Countrywide or similar near to you? If so, place a card on the notice board. Folk often need a bit of a hand with their horses.

Oh, there is a nearby Countrywide actually thanks!

Or post on your local horse face book page.

Second trying a different riding school - I love mine, there’s an overall long term plan, then a plan for each lesson, we warm up independently, then talk about what we/ the horse might need to work on, then go away and try it - my instructor is really good at making sure everyone gets a ‘turn’ at having individual help. I basically finish each lesson mentally and physically knackered!

Facebook!

How old is your child? Do you have time mid-week, does your child go to nursery at all? Most people who are prepared to let their horses be ridden by someone else want a certain level of commitment - I have various people come and ride my horse and DDs pony, but for my horse in particular we have minimum fitness levels I need to maintain and someone coming just once a fortnight would not be sustainable. Once a week on a regular day though, and I would be happy. At this time of year lots of people are trying to start getting their hunters fit - you would certainly get plenty of hacking on one of those! If you were able to commit to one midweek day each week (many people in conventional jobs are only looking for weekend riding, so someone capable who can ride during the week in winter is usually in demand.) Do you not have someone who could have DC for you once a week?

Agree with others, persist with the riding schools, ask to try a different instructor or different groups, it is by far the most hassle free way of occasionally riding if you can find somewhere that suits. Do either of the schools do group hacks? I find if you have to ride a riding school plod (because that's all that's available) it's nicer to be out and about than going around the school and it perks them up a bit too.

Otherwise, how tall/heavy are you? (Sorry for the personal question!). I am lucky to be small and light enough to hop up on kids ponies occasionally, when children of my acquaintances are away, lost interest or busy with school or when the pony needs reminding of some manners. I wouldn't ride the little ponies as a regular thing but I quite enjoy it occasionally and it's nice to feel you have been of some use as opposed to borrowing someone else's pride and joy as a great favour... perhaps if this is possible for you you could include it in your ad for a share/loan?

Finally this won't work for regular riding, but could you look to book in a riding weekend away? I've done a few and really enjoyed them, you can get much better quality of riding than is possible in a school, either hacking/trekking in a fun location or specialist instruction. It doesn't tend to be cheap but if you were to save up to do a couple of times a year might work out the same as a lesson every week?

That's the trouble, no child-free time during the week at all (she's only in nursery on the days I'm working and the days I'm off it's only me that can look after her as I have no family etc around).

I'm 5'6, maybe just verging on 5'7 and about 9st 7 (heavier with riding gear on)! I suppose I could ride the larger of any kids' ponies?

A riding weekend would be lovely if I could arrange it. It would have to be well in advance and only a one night Saturday-Sunday thing but I will look into it and maybe sort it out as my Christmas present if it's not too extortionate!

Yes - a short riding break would be great fun. I'm just getting back into riding with a view to getting another horse when I retire. Over the last few years I've done a coast to coast ride in Scotland, a week in Iceland (very fast and frantic) and 3 days in Cumbria. Far too little preparation for the first two but this year I've been having lessons and I feel much stronger and more confident. I've ridden some lovely horses on these holidays, Icelandic horse in Iceland, Highland Pony in Scotland and a beautiful Dales cross (chestnut with flaxen mane and tail) in Cumbria. The lessons I go to now are with the riding club at the equestrian centre. About half of the "class" have their own horses so a bit more advanced than the usual classes and no hanging about. It is affiliated to the BHS. That might be something look out for.

OP where in the country are you?

I'm in pretty much the same position as you OP, with the added complication of being in London so no nearby horses!

Years ago I did shop around and found a school with a fantastic teacher who used to do pretty tailored dressage lessons; far more interesting and challenging than the general thing you've described. It is worth looking at different schools.

Thanks! Sorry I missed that last post too - I'm in the Midlands. Still haven't managed to get a spare couple of hours to get to another lesson but when I do it will be at the other place I found.