We require notice of 48 hours in advance or more that the rider is unable to attend their scheduled session, participants will receive credit for the equivalent value of the session, or to reschedule a catch-up session where possible.
You need a t-shirt or long-sleeved top (it must cover the shoulders), jodhpurs or leggings (no jeans please) and knee height socks. Please do not wear anything that has a hood (or the hood will have to be tucked in for safety reasons) and please remove all piercings, jewellery or anything else that could get caught or flap about. We will provide and fit a riding hat and boots if needed, but please bring your own riding hat, boots, body protector and any other riding wear if you have it. We will need to check that your equipment fits to our satisfaction and meets our safety standards (particularly riding hats) in your first session with us. If there are any problems you will be able to borrow our equipment (sadly many European standard hats do not meet the recently revised safety standards in the UK). You are also advised to bring a full range of waterproof clothing and plenty of warm layers as you can never predict British weather! Please note that body protectors are compulsory for pole work and jumping lessons, but air jackets/vests are not permitted at STE.
Although we cater for all abilities, there is currently a weight limit of 11st (70kg) for riders. Our minimum age is 5 (School Year 1) for private lessons or Age 6 for Pony Days. Also, riders will only be allowed to work over poles or jump if they are wearing a body protector – we are able to provide and fit these (child sizes) if you don’t yet have your own.
We do, although Effingham School’s students get priority for booking sessions during the school term. If we have availability, we are happy to welcome other riders, both children and adults (when space allows).
STE is situated in a wonderful area for hacking, nestled at the top of the North Downs with some wonderful views across the countryside. There is a small amount of riding on the road required in order to access wonderful off-road riding across Ranmore Common and around the National Trust Property, Polesden Lacey and the Surrey Hills.
We also have two hacking routes on site where all our riders can ride around our fields and along our woodland trail, to gain confidence riding out in an open space but in a more controlled environment than being out in the countryside.
Riders 11 years and over are able to hack off site, under supervision, providing they have passed either the Pony Club Road Rider Test, or the British Horse Society Ride Safe Examination. Over 18s are allowed to hack if they are assessed as competent by our staff. Riders are also required to wear hi-viz and we strongly recommend a body protector when hacking offsite.
Please note that booking hacks is dependent on what staff and what horses we have available.
We are passionate about our teaching, and we teach to the very highest standards we can. And we know that cantering is fun! However, riding is a risk sport, and one of the riskiest stages is that of learning to canter. Therefore we stipulate that, before you learn to canter, you must first be balanced in trot, and able to control your own balance and your pony in all basic school movements, in sitting, with or without stirrups, rising and light seat at trot.
Once you can balance and ride the trot work effectively, we usually recommend that your first canters are on the lunge or on the lead rein, where we can have more control over the pony for you. Once you can sit the canter (and the transitions in and out) safely and easily, you can start to canter “free” and enjoy moving on to more advanced work, pole work and jumping.
You will be able to work towards show jumping up to around 1m, depending on your weight and which horse you can ride. Remember that there is far more to jumping than the jump itself! We make sure that you are balanced and effective in a light (jumping) position in trot and canter over both single poles and a line of poles, and other turning exercises over poles, before you leave the ground. We also coach for eventing and arena eventing (jumping with style), and all NSEA events. Please note that riders under 18 who do not have a body protector will not be allowed to jump, and air jackets are not permitted at STE.
