Riding lessons and hacking. All levels of rider catered for from 8 years of age
We are approved by:
Guildford Borough Council.
(25)
License Rating 5* Ref AWRL047
ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools)
Pony Club (Linked Centre)
KEITS We are approved by the A.B.R.S (Association of British Riding Schools) https://www.abrs-info.org/
Join us on Thursday 15th August to celebrate the launch of our exciting new club, Stable Squad, for horse-loving children! 🎉
Special guests This Esme and her rehomed World Horse Welfare pony, Duke, will be joining us for a fun-packed day, which includes meet and greets with Esme, behind the scene tours of World Horse Welfare Glenda Spooner Farm, Somerset, and much more!
Don't miss out on this truly HORSEsome event. Tickets are available on our website here 👉 https://bit.ly/4c6KICm
26/06/2024
🐴There will be a very special event for ALL Centre members up at Pony Club Champs on Wednesday 14th August.
🐎If you’d like a fab, FREE day out over the summer holidays keep the date free!
ℹ️ More information will be emailed to current PC members later today!
25/06/2024
So true!
We hope all our riders remember what our lovely horses & ponies did for, taught & gave them when they decide to move on to other horsey ventures 🐎🐎
They are never just RIDING SCHOOL PONIES❤️🐴
One day you may move onto bigger, fancier horses, but never forget the school horse who made you, as without them, you wouldn’t be able to ride anything at all.
The patient soul that tolerated your bouncing while you figured out how to sit the trot.
The kind mare that didn’t walk off when you stumbled up the mounting block, trying to get your foot in the stirrup.
The sweet gelding that picked up the trot even though your body was telling him to do the exact opposite.
The saintly angel that never spooked, which was a dam good thing because your balance was precarious at best.
Too often we forget where we came from. We move on to the next chapter in our lives and say, “Oh my gosh, I’m learning so much! I’m going so far! I could never do this kind of thing on that old school horse!”
But infact you could, you were just not ready to do all these things back then.
But that school horse gave you the confidence to move forward. That school horse took care of you in all respects and allowed you to take the time you needed to find your way. You couldn’t have become the rider you are today without that riding school horse, always remember to love them unconditionally for our riding school horses are what help start your dream, make dreams come true and get you ready for those bigger dreams 🐴
It can be done annonymously and it will be very useful for us to see if there are things we could be doing differently.
Thank you in advance 🐴
23/06/2024
😎 Next week’s forecast is looking fab!
🐴 This does of course come with some downsides; one being that it may well affect arrangements for your riding lessons.
☀️ Please have a read of our Riding in Hot Weather policy as we fully expect to be implementing it from tomorrow onwards.
📲 If you have any questions please just drop us a message!
☀️
15/06/2024
12/06/2024
Not only some useful info on the insurance included in your Pony Club membership but look who it is in the photo!! 🐴
Q: Does my Pony Club third party liability insurance only cover me at Pony Club events?
A: NO!
Pony Club Members receive third party liability cover for almost all personal equestrian activities 24 hours a day.
This insurance also protects Branch Members for their ownership of a horse or pony.
To find out more contact our insurance partner, Howden Equine Insurance .
12/06/2024
**Did you know that we are a Pony Club Linked Centre?**
**We plan to open up more opportunities for children to become involved and a part of this worldwide community in September**
👀 Keep following us for more updates.
Q: Why should I become a Pony Club Centre Member?🐴❓🤔
A: The Pony Club Centre Membership is a perfect option for aspiring equestrians who don’t have access to a Horse/Pony and would like to join in the fun available at a local Pony Club Linked Riding Centre.💕✅
Joining the Pony Club as a Centre Member is a fantastic way to dive into the world of horses! It’s all about fun, learning, and making new friends who share your passion.🐴
Enjoy exciting activities including achievement badges, tests, progressive awards and even the opportunity to participate in fun events such as the D&H Quiz, Thelwell Art Competition, Triathlon, Howden Centre Equitation and the Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care competitions, all while being part of a supportive and enthusiastic community, there is so much to have fun with!🎉
Start your Pony Club adventures today by signing up for Centre Membership, we all have a shared passion for horses and ponies - enjoy time with like-minded people doing a huge range of activities!😍
Find your local Pony Club Centre today - https://pcuk.org/join/
11/06/2024
🐴Places still available!
➡️For more info: https://fb.me/e/3TdS9cD3G
📲Please contact us by text or WhatsApp to book.
07/06/2024
Yes to all of this!!
Read , let it sink in, then read again :
“No. 1. Get your tack and equipment just right, and then forget about it and concentrate on the horse.
No. 2. The horse is bigger than you are, and it should carry you. The quieter you sit, the easier this will be for the horse.
No. 3. The horse's engine is in the rear. Thus, you must ride your horse from behind, and not focus on the forehand simply because you can see it.
No. 4. It takes two to pull. Don't pull. Push.
No. 5. For your horse to be keen but submissive, it must be calm, straight and forward.
No. 6. When the horse isn`t straight, the hollow side is the difficult side.
No. 7. The inside rein controls the bending, the outside rein controls the speed.
No. 8. Never rest your hands on the horse's mouth. You make a contract with it: "You carry your head and I'll carry my hands."
No. 10. Once you've used an aid, put it back.
No. 11. You can exaggerate every virtue into a defect.
No. 12. Always carry a stick, then you will seldom need it.
No. 13. If you`ve given something a fair trial, and it still doesn't work, try something else—even the opposite.
No. 14. Know when to start and when to stop. Know when to resist and when to reward.
No. 15. If you're going to have a fight, you pick the time and place.
No. 16. What you can't accomplish in an hour should usually be put off until tomorrow.
No. 17. You can think your way out of many problems faster than you can ride your way out of them.
No. 18. When the horse jumps, you go with it, not the other way around.
No. 19. Don`t let over-jumping or dull routine erode the horse's desire to jump cleanly. It's hard to jump clear rounds if the horse isn't trying.
No. 20. Never give up until the rail hits the ground.
No. 21. Young horses are like children—give them a lot of love, but don't let them get away with anything.
No. 22. In practice, do things as perfectly as you can; in competition, do what you have to do.
No. 23. Never fight the oats.
No. 24. The harder you work, the luckier you get."
~Bill Steinkraus
07/06/2024
Who’d like one of these on our arena gate? I think it’s brilliant 👍🏼
EDIT: Please do feel free to share/replicate/display this sign - I’d rather it went out into the world to be used freely and help horses far and wide than if it was just kept on social media!
I seem to spend a lot of time thinking about the ethics of horse sport, and whether we, as an industry, will be able to keep our social licence to operate.
Although we won’t get it right 100% of the time, I think the intent and knowledge behind our actions is a key part of the puzzle.
I have put this sign up on the gate of my arena, in the hope that it reminds me, all my clients and other users of the facilities to stop and think about our intent before embarking upon working our horses each day.
What do you think?
Photo: HDE ‘Promise to the Horse’.
04/06/2024
So true…
With horses we never stop learning or making progress however small the steps are.
Some thoughts on progression… 🏇
We’re often asked “how many lessons will it take for me to learn to ride?” which brings to mind an old saying that it takes 3 lifetimes. This, oddly enough, is not what anyone wants to hear! 🤣
Riding is a sport but it’s also an art and is also dependant on the trust, understanding and relationship you build with the horse. Imagine if tennis players had to concern themselves with how their racquet was feeling? And if their racquet responded differently on different days depending on how they felt physically in their bodies, their hormones, what they’d had to eat, how they’d interacted with other racquets and how you gripping their handle?! 🤯 Tennis would certainly take a lot longer to learn.
The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to prepare your mind and body to make progress more quickly.
Prepare your mind by learning as much as you can about horses as the best riders have a deep knowledge and understanding of horses. Read, watch videos and spend time handling, caring for and interacting with horses on the ground. At Stepney we offer loads of different ways to do this from Pony Club to volunteering to agility sessions. We also have a large selection of books which are free to borrow from the cafe area.
Exercising between rides will help you to prepare your body really well for riding. Yoga is brilliant for developing body awareness, balance and stability. There are loads of quick and effective practices available online which you can do for free at home.
You’ll make quicker progress AND the make being ridden a more enjoyable experience for the horses you ride.
And just like that, the half term is over 😕
But it’s been a busy one for us so here’s a roundup of what we’ve been up to this week.
Monday was a family day spent trampolining, roller skating, taking turns to walk Lenny and other craziness.
On Tuesday we had a full pony day: the weather certainly wasn’t the best but that didn’t stop everyone having a great time both on the yard and in their lesson, followed by a gymkhana in the afternoon.
Wednesday was a MEGA day for 9 of our brilliant Centre Members as we ventured down to Hampshire to compete in the Area 13 Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care competition.
The sun shone, everyone was smiling & positive all day and all 3 of the Greenways teams- the Stars, the Stripes & the Blazes- did us proud. Bertie & Taisy also joined us for the day and were fabulous, allowing numerous competitors to plait, tack up and put sticky labels all over them!
Thursday was Accumulator Jumping Day: everyone worked together to set up & build the jumps and they all had 2 goes at who could collect the most points in 90 seconds.
🥇 went to Ruby & Charlie 👏🏽
And to end 1/2 term on a high, we’ve had the added bonus of sunshine all day today.
Well done & thank you to everyone who’s joined in the fun this half term.
An especially big thank you to all the parents & helpers who gave up their time on Wednesday, plus everyone who was so generous with lending me bits of kit and donating prizes for the competition
If you have any photos from any of these activities, don’t forget to tag us!
01/06/2024
Back to school on Monday?
Looking forward to the long summer holiday already?
Our summer pony camps are coming!
Dates will be emailed to all Pony Club Centre members very shortly.
18/05/2024
We are looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces tomorrow at our 10th anniversary party.
The BBQ will be firing up at 2pm, we have lots of burgers, sausages (including veggie) & drinks at the ready but if you’d like to bring anything specific for eating or drinking then please do!
The weather is looking great and we really hope you can come and celebrate with us!
14/05/2024
10/05/2024
Friday Fact - Teeth 🦷
On average, an adult mare has 40 teeth and the male 42. Horses' teeth erupt throughout their lifetime.
To avoid dental problems, it's important to have your horse's teeth regularly checked by a vet or equine dental technician.
10/05/2024
📔 Our 1/2 Term schedule is here!
🐎 We are keeping everything crossed that the weather will be as lovely at the end of May as it is now so that we can have some fun, sunny days with the ponies!
09/05/2024
Pony Club members, we need you!
Due to a diary clash, we are 1 member down in a team for the Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care competition, taking place on Wednesday 29th May.
It’s a really fun and interactive event, with lots of other like-minded pony mad people!
If you are a current Centre member of our Pony Club and would like to join in please drop me a message to find out more.
Further info can be found here 👉🏻 https://pcuk.org/bluecross-horse-and-pony-care/
07/05/2024
🐎What a bank holiday weekend!
On Sunday afternoon 4 of our brilliant members took their D+ test and passed with flying colours and lots of positive feedback from their assessor.
Massive well done to Martha, Jess, Milly & Ruby!
Yesterday, despite the horrendous weather, riders took to the arena for our Dressage Competition. Some great riding (and very well behaved horses) in truly wet weather. But everyone kept smiling, supported each other & showed fantastic team spirit. Congratulations to all our competitors and an extra 👏🏽 to the winners of each class-
🥇 Intro- Alex on Skye
🥇Prelim- Eloise on Bertie
🥇Pairs- Ruby & Alex on Taisy
Big thanks to all the parents for braving the weather and staying to support all the riders yesterday too!
29/04/2024
It's Week.
We are celebrating our coaches with our ABRS+ Coach of the Year Award, with the winner being announced later this week. But for today, we would love you all to take a moment to say to those who have inspired your riding journey.
25/04/2024
The schedule for May 1/2 Term has been emailed to all our Pony Club Centre members.
We have tried to provide a fun and varied schedule with activities to suit all ages & abilities.
Pony Club members get priority booking on ALL holiday events.
Full schedule will be advertised and open to all clients shortly…
22/04/2024
Tip 3 to help you maximise your marks ahead of our "Round We Go" April online dressage tests which are all about circles! The humble circle is the foundation of so many exercises so it really pays to learn how to ride this essential dressage shape correctly!
20/04/2024
I love this!
Saturday Goals!
15/04/2024
Entries are open for our Bank Holiday Dressage competition.
3 classes to choose from:
🐎Intro C (walk & trot)
🐎Prelim 12 (walk, trot & canter)
🐎Pairs (teams of 2, both riders choose & ride their preferred test and the average score is used to determine placing)
🏵️Rosettes for all!
A fun, friendly and supportive day- first time and experienced dressage divas welcome!
📱 Booking via Hopoti
14/04/2024
Centres Tet Taster Day.
Last week, PC members from 3 centres came together and joined in on a fun day learning all about Pony Club Tetrathlon.
They all got to have a go at target shooting, riding over a course of jumps, opening & closing a slip rail, and then we finished the day with a run.
Everyone had a great time, learned a lot, made new friends and supported each other.
Huge thank you to our hosts for letting us use your wonderful horses, ponies & facilities 👌🏽
12/04/2024
Photos needed!
As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations next month, we’d love to put together a display of pictures of Greenways Stables through the years.
10 years is only a small proportion of time that the riding school has been running for and I’m sure there are lots of people out there who must have some great pictures of the horses &/ or yard from years gone by- and great memories too!
Please do send us any pictures or quotes that you are happy for us to use.
Thanking everyone very much in advance & anticipation 🙏🏼
13/03/2024
🐣 Our Easter schedule is out now.
📱For regular riders, please book using your Hopoti account.
📱For non-regular riders please contact us to discuss suitability and booking.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Greenways Stables posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Videos
Entries are open for our Bank Holiday Dressage competition.
3 classes to choose from:
🐎Intro C (walk & trot)
🐎Prelim 12 (walk, trot & canter)
🐎Pairs (teams of 2, both riders choose & ride their preferred test and the average score is used to determine placing)
🏵️Rosettes for all!
A fun, friendly and supportive day- first time and experienced dressage divas welcome!
📱 Booking via Hopoti
#dressage #bankholiday #friendlycompetition #haveago #ridingschool #horsesofinstagram #poniesofinstagram #horseriding #horserider #dressagediva
💙💙💙
To donate to this brilliant charity @savechildrenuk please text GREENELF + the amount you’d like to donate to 70050
Or you can donate via our @justgiving page:
https://christmas.savethechildren.org.uk/fundraising/sally-blackmore-christmas-jumper-day
Every penny helps..Thank you in advance 🙌🏼
We can’t wait to see you all in your festive outfits tomorrow- make sure they’re warm!!
PS- even if you can’t donate, we’d still love you to join in by wearing a Christmas jumper or something festive to show your support!
#christmasjumperday #fundraising #festivespirit #justgiving #whattowear
🎉Are there any willing volunteers out there who’d like to come and help with a pony party this afternoon from 2-3.30?
You must be a regular client here, and be 14yrs or over
You will be helping children to practice their grooming skills, and leading the ponies for gymkhana games.
🎉If you can help, please drop me a message.
Thank you!
#ponyparty #volunteering #poniesofinstagram #ponyafternoon
🟢Our October 1/2 term activities are booking up fast!
🟡If you want to grab one of the last few places then get in touch ASAP
🔴These are for existing clients only.
#halfterm #october #autumn #halloweenfun #ridingschool #horsesofinstagram #poniesofinstagram #horseriding #funandfriends
Just a quick reminder that the riding school is now closed until Monday 22nd August so that the horses & ponies can have some down time.
Please be patient when waiting for a reply to any messages sent as we are out & about doing non-horsey things this week whilst the ponies chill!
#holiday #resttime #downtime #horsesofinstagram #poniesofinstagram #ridingschool #weekoff #justintimefortherain
Ponies having a good old blast this morning before it got too hot for all that running!
#poniesofinstagram #runningwild #ridingschool #ponycamp #summer #heatwave
Greenways Stables is an ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) and Pony Club Approved Centre. We are also an Approved Training Centre for KEITS (www.keits.co.uk), and offer Apprenticeships in Horse Care for dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic individuals wishing to pursue a career in the equine industry. We have a 100% success rate so far with all our students and members taking both leisure and professional exams.
We have 13 horses and ponies, ranging from the very small (11hh) to the very tall (17.3hh) and many in between. All our horses and ponies are carefully selected to match the requirements of their riders, and they are all inspected during our annual license check, for which we have recently been awarded 5* - the highest rating possible!
OUR LICENSE IS ISSUED BY GUILDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL. REFERENCE NO. AWRL047
We are dedicated to providing friendly, professional tuition in horse riding and stable management, and love seeing our clients enjoy the activities we offer, whether it is a hack in the countryside, or a happy face at the end of a Pony Morning. There is something for everyone- we cater for both adults and children. Childrens’s lessons start at 6 years old; walkouts on the leading rein can be arranged for 4-6 year olds.
