How to choose a riding school?

[CantSupinate]

I am asking around for recommendations, but not having much success getting replies (or else they're full up, or you need your own pony already).

Is there a central website with reviews or individual experiences to help me decide?
TIA.

I didn't find websites helpful at all. Word of m outh by far the best. So I ended up taking dd1 to 4 stables before I found a great one (which a horsey friend also mentioned as she'd heard a little bit about it)

Membership of that big horse riding body is v important though, isn't it

BHS or ABRS sites will at least give you some to start looking at, after that it's personal preferences - is an indoor school essential for you during bad weather? do you want a school that runs lots of group lessons or are you happy to learn individually? Do you want to hack as well as have lessons, is it important to have a large jumping school and cross country course? For children some places are much better than others at getting children involved from early ages - own a pony days, pony camp, encouraged to help with grooming and tacking up before lesson, affordable part loan schemes, plenty of safe but fun ponies for when they come off lead rein etc

we chose a warm and friendly school over shinier but cheaper ones - instantly felt at home, it's quite scruffy but a very happy atmosphere and lots of courses on offer from stable management for tiny tots to teacher training for adults and all the usual BHS and NVQ qualifications as well as private and group lessons

you really have to visit some on spec to find out how welcoming and accommodating they are - good luck and keep us posted