Rider Ability Levels

Further information on our Riding ability levels. Please check your level before booking. All horses are allocated and prepared prior to your arrival. If you are not at the level declared you may not be able to ride.

RIDING ABILITY

 

Horses/ponies are not led on beach/dune rides  you must be able and confident to ride and lead a quiet horse at a walk to ride out. All riders going out to the beach/dunes must have some prior experience. If you are a complete beginner you will need to book the 1 hour beginner experience.

Your Safety is important to us please do not over-estimate your ability. We use the information you provide on your booking form to match you with a suitable horse, please make sure this information is accurate.

All our rides have minimum ages, but if you feel that your child has the ability to take part in a particular ride contact us to discuss further. 

All our horses are ridden English style with English saddles and bridles. If you have only Western-type saddle experience, you will be considered a beginner/novice rider unless you have taken English seat riding lessons. For any advanced beach rides, riders need to be familiar with English saddles and be able to rise (post) to the trot and canter.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

  • Beginner/Novice Rides

    There is a minimum age of 8 years if accompanied by a riding adult or 10 years if unaccompanied to ride on the 1½ hour Lesson & Dune Trail Experience.
    The minimum age for the 2 hour & half day experience is 10 years.

     

  • Intermediate/Advanced Riders

    The minimum age for 1hr & 1½ hour beach rides is 10 years if accompanied by an adult rider. If unaccompanied the minimum age is 12 years.

    The minimum age for unaccompanied children on our 2 hour beach ride & 3 hour half day experience is 12 years. We do not allow children under 12 years on these rides unless they are regular riders with us.

  • Lessons

    We have a range of lessons and walkouts that stay on site for children from 4 years old. Riding lessons

Turning500
Learning to turn the horse

Complete Beginner

A person who has never ridden or only ridden occasionally for  example pony trekking on holiday.

Horses are not led on beach/dune rides so all riders going out to the beach or dunes must have prior riding experience.  We do offer a one hour beginner experience which includes a lesson in the arena and a walk out along the country lane.

We can arrange a series of lessons for you to give you the skills needed to ride out the sand dune trail. Please email for full details.

Beginner Rider

A rider who can lead, mount, dismount, walk, turn and stop a quiet horse. May have tried trotting and has received some prior instruction in an arena.

Horses are not led on dune trails or beach rides the rider must be confident enough to control a quiet horse whilst out of the arena. If you have never ridden or received instruction you must book a complete beginner ride.

We also run arena based lessons for beginner riders.

Groupdunes500
Beginner Sand Dune Trail
Novicerider500
Novice rider on 2 hour ride

Novice Rider

A rider who is competent at riding a horse/pony at walk and rising (posting) trot can lead, mount, dismount, walk, trot, turn and stop a quiet horse. May have tried cantering and has received some prior instruction in an arena. A rider who has cantered but is nervous or not done so in a while. A rider who only has ridden western style.

Horses are not led on dune trails or beach rides the rider must be confident enough to control a quiet horse whilst out of the arena. If you have never ridden or received instruction you must book a complete beginner ride.
We also run arena based lessons for beginner riders.

Intermediate Rider

A person who is riding regularly that is competent at riding and control a horse/pony at walk and rising (posting) trot & canter can lead, adjust girth & stirrups, mount, dismount, walk, trot, canter, turn and stop a horse. Has received instruction in an arena and may have tried jumping. A rider who is confident riding outside of an arena. A person who may of ridden regularly in the past to an advanced level but is not currently a regular rider.

Beach Canter
Beach Ride
Advriders
Advanced Riders on 2 hour ride

Advanced Rider

A person who is competent & confident at riding a horse/pony at walk, rising (posting) trot, canter & gallop. Can lead, girth & adjust stirrups unaided. Can control a more advanced horse/pony when cantering/galloping in company in open spaces & not overtake the horse in front. Is riding fit and riding regularly at this level.