Lodge Equine Stables

18/10/2024

08/10/2024

Hi Everyone
Lodge Equine Stables (BHS Approved Riding School, Co Armagh) are offering regular teaching hours, Fabulous ponies who make our job easy & good pay for right person, please get in touch if interested in regular or casual teaching, or put your thinking cap on or let me know if you can think of anyone needing extra money it would be 5-7pm Mon, Tues, Thurs or Fri just one or 2 of these days or more for right person & also needing someone fun to help with Pony Club too it runs every other Sat 10-12pm
Experience more important than qualifications as I’ll be on site with first Aid etc etc
Much appreciated
Lesley 07597310395

17/09/2024

17/09/2024

Lodge Equine Stables Richhill, Co Armagh, now have a few Stables available & offer a variety of types of livery tailored to suit your needs, Also a block of 6 Stables available for rent, All stables have automatic drinkers & rubber mats, BHS Approved, Fully Insured Professional Yard, CCTV Security Cameras, Secure Tack Room, Qualified Instruction on site for all levels & all disciplines, 35 x 55 Floodlit Sand school, Lunge Pen, Solarium, quiet hacking roads, use of set of Show Jumps & dressage arena boards, large yard & parking available for horse box, Manure removal included in price, Hay /haylage delivery & provided in price, Bedding not included, Seasonal turnout paddocks, weather permitting
Please WhatsApp or dm with any enquiries 07597310395
Thanks Lesley

02/09/2024

A car has overturned following an oil spill outside Hamiltonsbawn this afternoon (Monday). The spill has been reported from Hamiltonsbawn into Armagh, and is affecting…

24/08/2024

Today was a proud day our 3 Pony Club teams rode impressive & accurate dressage tests & show jumping rounds, a huge well done to all our riders & Omgoodness team work doesn’t even describe how all our Pony Clubbers stepped in to help & encourage each other today & worked hard behind the scenes & have I mentioned before that L.E.S. have thee best ponies in the world ❤️, a huge thanks & credit goes to Lucy for brilliant coaching 👏

18/08/2024

❤️

I hate when people blame my wonderful ponies or don’t want to ride a particular one

A small stab in the heart is what you feel when you put up the day's riding list and you see riders sinking heavily in their shoulders when reading which horse they are assigned for the lesson. A small stab in the heart for that horse that for an hour will carry around a rider who has already decided that he does not like his horse. A small stab in the heart for the horse that did not choose the rider himself but still does his best, lesson after lesson.

Riding is a privilege and something you have chosen to do. If you chose to ride at a riding school, your instructor assumes that you actually want to learn how to ride. The instructor's highest wish is that you get good at it.

Often there is a plan and a thought as to why you are assigned to that exact horse. Before you mount up next time, ask yourself "what can this horse teach me today?" All horses have something to give, a feeling or a new tool in the box.

The art is actually in being able to get a lazy horse to move forward, to get an uncertain horse to gain confidence, a naughty horse to focus or a tense horse to be released. It takes work. If you think a horse is boring, it's more likely that you don't ride the horse as well as you think! It's not easy to be confronted with your own shortcomings, but it is in that very situation that you get the chance to truly grow as a rider.

The excuse that "it's not my kind of horse" is actually a really bad excuse. A good rider can ride any kind of horse. A good rider has trained many hours on different types of horses to become a good rider. A good rider can find and manage the gold nuggets in every horse.

If we absolutely want to ride, it is our duty to strive to do it as best as possible, even if it's only for fun. We owe it to every horse that carries us upon it's back.

Copied and shared with love for all of our horses, ponies and riders 🐎❤🐎

21/07/2024

Share away!

06/07/2024

Lucy & Polly having some fun today too Polly loved the Xc she’s a wee machine 😍

06/07/2024

Beth & 4 year old Molly at Moy Equestrian Centre gaining great experience on Beth’s first time riding away from L.E.S. 👏❤️

13/06/2024

Let’s talk about the lack of quality coaching and lack of standards in the equine industry. For example, kids learning with someone who claims to be an "coach" and all they learned is how to see-saw a horse's head down and chuck their body over a fence like a champion. All coaching is not equal.

But what happens when you have a good coach? One that opens their program to you, takes you under his/her wing? Becomes invested in your success? When you essentially become part of the "family"...

Eventually, something will happen...

Coach tells you that you are not Karen O'Connor 2.0, and not ready to make the move up to the next level.
Coach says you need to go back and fix some holes in your training.
Coach says you have developed a bad habit, and it needs to be fixed before you can accomplish your goals.
Coach says you need to make sure that your horse is being ridden (not just hanging out at the barn).
Coach says you need to dedicate more time to studying the sport, not just riding.
Coach says it isn't a "horse" problem, it is a "you" problem.

People have become increasingly more reactionary. More easily offended. In lieu of everyone getting a trophy, it is so hard to hear these words from people you admire. Some of the best coaches will be the toughest. Not ones that tear you apart constantly, but coaches that aren't afraid to have the tough conversations with you. Or conversations that you may not have wanted to have.

But remember, a good coach is in YOUR corner. They want YOU to achieve success. They dedicate so much more than an hour of time to your growth not only as a rider but as a horseman. Maybe you are burning the candle at both ends (and in the middle), and you need a reality check that this sport requires more of your time and focus.

These conversations can hurt, but while it may sting at first.... take a second. Think about why your coach is against you moving up right now, why your coach is saying to wait until the summer to be a working student, why your coach is saying that you should not enter the show until the homework and flat work is done.

Surround yourself with coaches that aren't afraid to have these tough conversations with you. You don't want or need a "cheerleader" coach. You are paying you for your coach’s expertise... the positives and the criticism. Let them help make the best decisions for your horse, and for your program. The lessons on the horse and the lessons off of the horse. Are you ready? Are you doing what is best by your horse? You owe it to yourself and your horse....

*** Copied and modified from Courtney Sendak

13/04/2024

Another great visitor to L.E.S. Pony Club Centre today & another badge completed Thanks Nicky , our ponies all feeling better having their teeth done again.
Also a wee celebration Happy Birthday Kate have a lovely day & a few more bubbles later

06/04/2024

6 year old Polly getting a well deserved wee change from the riding school, also gaining great experience at Easter Camp with Annie Flannigan , this pony is a real favourite , so lucky to have great group of super ponies ❤️

06/04/2024

4 year old Molly enjoying her first ever outing and taking everything in her stride at Easter Camp, the sweetest pony ❤️ huge thanks Annie Flannagan for giving her this great experience

24/03/2024

"Dressage is the art of teaching the horse to carry you. Riding is the art of learning to be a good load to carry."

14/09/2017

Following a Busy and Successful competition season and a summer filled with camps & fun days Lodge Equine Stables are ready with an action filled Autumn/Winter Programme. Our BHS Approved family run Riding School offer lessons with Qualified and Safety conscious Instructors on well schooled quality ponies and horses. Lessons are available Mon-Fri from 4 yr old & for all levels from beginners to competition riders.
Members can also join our extended family - L.E.S. Pony Club Centre who after our get together on Saturday past we as a Club have decided to change to meet every other Thursday. Some of the programme includes World wide recognised achievement & progressive badges E, D, D+ & C Tests, Riding Road Safety BHS exam training, Professional Equine Speakers visiting throughout the winter months, An Equine Vet Visit, & other trips tbc, also our returning Shooting Stars Show Jumping League & Dressage competitions and Working Hunter clinics for any queries or further information pm or text 07597310395 thanks Lesley

07/09/2017

Hi guys apologies I just received a message but as I tried to read it it disappeared please send again to Lesley Johnston pm thanks Lesley