| If you have never learnt to ride then choosing a riding | | | | Do not expect pristine carpets and luxury armchairs |
| school for your child can seem complicated. | | | | but it is as well to find out whether refreshments for |
| First and foremost, your primary focus must be on | | | | waiting parents are available. |
| finding somewhere safe. Horses are animals and | | | | If any safety equipment such as riding hats or boots is |
| therefore unpredictable. If you are naturally wary of | | | | available for hire then you can see the sort of |
| horses then this will be an advantage when selecting a | | | | standard available. Quite rightly, many schools insist on |
| safe and secure environment for your budding | | | | you providing your child with their own hat and boots |
| equestrian to flourish. | | | | before their first lesson. If you weigh up the price of a |
| Step One - Finding A Riding School | | | | riding hat against the value of your child's head then I |
| It is always worth asking other parents if they know of | | | | am sure you will agree that this is a worthwhile |
| a riding school they would recommend. Should their | | | | investment, even if your child's enthusiasm wanes |
| suggestion pass all the other criteria then you may find | | | | after only a few lessons. The good news is that |
| that travelling to and from the stables can be shared, | | | | children's heads have done most of their growing by |
| or at the very least you will have someone to talk to | | | | the age of 8 so their riding hat should last a little while. |
| during the lesson. | | | | If a riding school does not insist on a riding helmet and |
| Sometimes well meaning friends may offer to teach | | | | correct footwear then that tells you all you need to |
| your child on their pony but please decline, politely but | | | | know about their attitude to your child's safety. |
| firmly. The perfect riding school pony is a specialised | | | | Step Four - The Lesson |
| animal and whilst the friend's pony may be perfect for | | | | It is a peculiarity of riding schools that often the most |
| their child's standard of riding would not be safe for | | | | novice riders are taught by the most junior of |
| your child to learn on. Would you suggest that a novice | | | | instructors. It is quite possible that a very young |
| car driver learn to drive in a sports car? | | | | member of staff can have had many years of |
| It is possible that the school nearest to you will be | | | | experience but watch that they have the respect of |
| satisfactory but please do not choose a riding school | | | | their pupils and manage to maintain order. If you are |
| based purely on its convenient location. | | | | not happy then ask whether there are other more |
| Most countries have a regulatory body and you should | | | | senior instructors are available. It is well worth paying |
| never consider anywhere that is not licensed or | | | | the extra cost for the extra care at this most |
| approved by them. In the UK this would be the British | | | | vulnerable stage in your child's riding career. |
| Horse Society or the Association of British Riding | | | | Is the instructor enthusiastic and enjoying the lesson as |
| Schools. You can then be assured of at least basic | | | | much as the pupils? Is there a clearly defined lesson |
| standards of safety and teaching proficiency. | | | | plan? Is everyone given enough help getting on and off |
| Once you have a shortlist of possible riding schools | | | | their ponies? Is respect for the ponies stressed or are |
| then it is time to start interviewing them. | | | | they treated like vehicles? |
| Step Two - First Impressions | | | | During the lesson you will quickly spot the most |
| Your first contact with a riding school will probably be | | | | nervous learner and the most daredevil. How are they |
| by telephone. Do not book a lesson but do arrange to | | | | treated? Is the nervous rider encouraged and |
| visit the yard. I would suggest you do not tell your | | | | reassured. How does the instructor measure whether |
| children about your planned visit. In the child's mind the | | | | or not to push the pupil and are you happy with that? |
| school will be perfect purely because they have | | | | How is the more adventurous rider kept safe? Does |
| horses and you do not want to disappoint them or feel | | | | the instructor find other ways to channel their |
| pressured into booking lessons. The chances are that | | | | enthusiasm or are they allowed to take risks? Most |
| your child has been nagging you for lessons for some | | | | importantly, do you trust that the riding instructor will |
| time, so I'm sure you will cope with another week or | | | | make your child's safety or their progress a priority? |
| so. | | | | Go with your gut feeling - the instincts of a parent |
| First impressions are not everything but bear in mind | | | | should never be ignored. If you have any concerns |
| that a successful riding school is a business and should | | | | then please approach the owner of the school and |
| therefore be professional in all their dealings. Whilst it is | | | | question them. If you are not happy with the answers |
| possible that the phone may be answered by | | | | then vote with your feet. |
| someone that sounds impossibly young, they should still | | | | In Summary |
| be polite and make arrangements for a more senior | | | | You will have noticed that I have made no mention of |
| member of staff to call you back. | | | | how or what your child should be taught. This is for the |
| You must always feel that you are a valued client and | | | | riding school to decide but never allow your child's |
| not a nuisance. A professionally run riding school will be | | | | safety to be compromised. |
| happy to answer all your questions in full. They should | | | | Riding is a very worthwhile and challenging activity for |
| also be more than happy for you to pay a visit and | | | | all young people. Not only does it get them off the |
| watch a lesson. It is possible that there will be certain | | | | sofa and away from the TV, it is an excellent way to |
| times that you may not drop in but this is to be | | | | teach respect for others, both people and animals, and |
| expected. Both staff and ponies work very hard in a | | | | to inspire an interest in the world we live in. |
| riding school and so their 'quiet time' should be | | | | Many riding schools have a pony club attached which |
| respected. | | | | will provide a safe social life for your child as well as |
| Step Three - The Inspection | | | | teaching them how to care for the ponies. Others may |
| It can be tempting to choose a riding school in much | | | | well encourage the pupils to take proficiency tests of |
| the same way as a hotel. Pristine paintwork and | | | | which they may be rightly proud. As these are more |
| hanging baskets may look attractive but do not prove | | | | practical than academic in nature they can do |
| the standard of the yard. More important than window | | | | wonders for the confidence of a child that perhaps |
| dressing is an impression of peace and an ordered | | | | struggles a little at school. |
| environment. If there are tools left lying around, or | | | | If your child does decide to continue with their new |
| children running around shouting then please get back | | | | hobby then you can rest assured that getting them to |
| in your car. | | | | bed at a reasonable hour will be much easier. Nobody |
| You should easily be able to find the office or | | | | can stay up late and be up at 5.30am for mucking out. |
| someone should quickly greet you and guide you to it. | | | | Unfortunately, you may find this will apply to you too! |