How can dd ride in expensive SW London? How does anyone manage it?

[curiouscat]

We live near Richmond Park and all the stables nearby cost £35 per half hour and have no childrens sessions or groups my dd age 8 can join. She'd basically be on a lead rein for a walk in the park and that's it. She's a competent trotter and I don't know where to get something more fun for her (learned on holidays abroad, much cheaper).

I know horsey people are not all loaded, how can I get her riding in SW London? One friend suggested Guildford/Weybridge, can anyone be more specific? I'd be happy to drive say 45 minutes to get there.

Thanks in advance.

Windsor great park has a riding school, dont knoe about prices though

I know DS would love to learn to ride, but AFAICS I'd have to sell DD off to a chimney sweep to afford it.

Wimbledon Village Stables do various things aimed at children, but it sounds that outside the holiday courses your DD would be expected to be on a lead rein until she was 10. The holiday courses sound fun, though.

Aren't the horse rangers in London? I remember seeing an article about them and thought it looked a bit like Girl Guides but with horses!

, I've just had a quick look through that link and apparently the waiting list is 5 years! That can't be right surely? Why would anyone bother? Do you have to put your child's name down if they show an aptitude for riding the rocking horse at playgroup?

I probably would feel slightly loaded if I didn't have a horse, but I have only got one and not in an expensive part of the world - though sometimes we have one and a half (pony on part loan) and lessons are definitely the biggest expense, although considerably less than you are paying (£22 for half an hour now).

You need to make friends with people who have their own ponies!

There is a stables down in chessington, over the back of Surbiton golf club which is supposed to be more reasonable (although not sure how much).

There is a stables down in chessington, over the back of Surbiton golf club which is supposed to be more reasonable (although not sure how much).

www.oldbarnstables.com/tuition.asp

I ride in East Dulwich, know it's not quite SW London but not too far...

Lessons are £35 for an hour's private lesson, £22 for an hour's group lesson. I haven't found anything cheaper anywhere else in London and really enjoy riding there. I don't think they have a website but their phone number is 020 8693 2944 if you're interested

Sorry, not East Dulwich, West Dulwich (Dulwich Common, near the College)

In addition to Wimbledon Village Stables I am sure there is also another school on The Ridgeway, next to The Swan pub. Not sure what they offer - I just go to the pub!

Ds is starting here next week. They do lots of childrens lessons (at least that is what they told me when I phoned to book today). Should be about 35 mins from Richmond and they charge £26 for half an hour's private lesson or £26 for an hour's group lesson.