Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Hampshire, with easy access from London, you can spend a tranquil short break here. Enjoy endless forest hacks with little road work and make the most of the superb on site facilities, learning to or improving your horse riding skills with qualified instructors. This wonderful family run centre is located less than 10 miles from Reading with onsite facilities including a 1 bedroom apartment, a large indoor and outdoor arena, full set of show jumps and miles upon miles of off road hacking, plus cross country fences.
Day 1
Arrive today and settle you and your horse into your onsite accommodation. You will be staying in a 2 person apartment which is made up of a small kitchenette with a fridge / freezer, tea and coffee making facilities and a microwave and dining table and chairs. The local pubs and restaurants are just a 5 or 10 minute drive away, one pub is within walking distance. You may of course bring your own food and wine. Your horse will be stabled on this extremely professional private livery yard, bedding and hay is included in the price. You will have use of the tack room for secure storage and the outdoor all weather arena and jumps.
This afternoon after you have settled in you may want to start your riding holiday with a private lesson taken by one of the live-in qualified instructors. You can discuss beforehand with your instructor whether you would like this to be a flat / jump lesson.
Day 2
A continental breakfast of cereal, toast, croissants and a selection of local jams as well as tea, coffee and fruit juice will be available for you in your apartment. After breakfast take the short walk past the duck pond and the English showing rabbits over to the stables where you will be reunited with your horse. Today you might like to make the most of the excellent forest tracks and woodland paths that surround this stunning estate, you may even come across a cross country fence or two! If the weather is nice you could even wade back through the ford which runs through the village. The special thing about the hacking here is that you will hardly meet a soul apart from the wonderful wildlife, peace and tranquility. The evening is free to enjoy the area and the array of local pubs and restaurants.
Day 3
After breakfast, you have the rest of the day to do with as you choose. You could make the most of the on site cross country course that winds round the stables private fields, perhaps arrange with the onsite instructor for a XC lesson. When you’re not riding why not help yourself to a free frothy coffee, sit and relax on the comfy sofas in front of the plasma screen TV and watch the students exercising the horses in the indoor arena. Alternatively arrange for Bill the owner, former national carriage driving champion, to take you for a carriage ride. He has competed in England and abroad, but now enjoys teaching for leisure. Fortnightly clinics run at the centre with John Smart, a former prize-winner at Badminton and an International show jumper, so why not enquiry about availability and join a clinic. Dressage clinics are also available, enquire for dates. For non riding partners the apartment is dog friendly so you can make the most of the forest on foot, man and dog, or arrange to fish in the local ford.
There is free WiFi in the reception area of the centre. All of the accommodation is non smoking.
If you like the idea of a horse riding holiday in Hampshire but are unable to bring your own horse, have a look at our sister site Equestrian Escapes. We can also offer tuition, hacking and XC.