Riding Simulator by Lucy McWilliam

03/09/2025

“This feels weird”

It’s not about it feeling real. It’s about creating a tool box. Something you can go back to in different moments for different things.
The idea that one way suits all is restricting and sets us up for failure before we have even started.
The simulator won’t feel the same as the last horse you rode. All horses feel different in fact the same horse can feel different on the same day.
The simulator isn’t real it doesn’t have a personality and it definitely doesn’t have legs.
Ride it like it’s not real that’s the secret.
It’s a training aid to allow you as a rider to try different things, to understand how you react in different situations and to understand what if any effect that will be having on your horse.
As a rider the more you learn to adapt, to absorb the movement and to be in the moment the more realistic the simulator will feel.
I can teach the same lesson in many different ways constantly changing and adapting to the client. Factoring personality, past experiences, future goals, physical restrictions and sometimes and I would say most significant the mindset that rider is in that day.
Riding the simulator isn’t the same as riding a real horse, teaching on the simulator isn’t the same as teaching on a real horse. I know, I have worked with real horses for over 25 years and have been teaching on the simulators for 18. They complement each other for sure. There is nothing I would teach on the simulator that I wouldn’t on a real horse but the process is different sometimes easier, sometimes harder.
The horse will absorb so much of what’s going on. The simulator will reflect back what you put in without filter.
To understand riding is to understand the rider. If you would like to take a closer look at what you do without having to think about the horse. Book a lesson today go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

31/08/2025

September Reset!
It's been a busy summer of lessons, school holidays and a few technical issues with Roo.
Schools are back this week so I am offering a 10% discount on all lessons to start the new term.
Enter the code september2025 at the checkout.
The code is valid from 1st September to the 7th September.
Lessons available to book up to the 30th of October.
Go to www.lucymcwilliam.com to book

Lucy believes in improving the rider to improve the horse. Roo the Riding Simulator is a perfect training aid to achieving a better understanding between horse and rider.

12/05/2025

I have some availability on Sunday 18th May to book go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

23/04/2025

On the 4th of May 12-3pm we will be opening our doors for you to have a chance to meet Roo.
Wymondham Windmill is hosting a spring fair.
Pop along for a quick ride or simply to say hello and see where we are.

Wymondham Windmill
Melton Mowbray.

07/04/2025

22/03/2025

A good instructor is willing to adapt style, theory and language to suit the rider.

A good rider is willing to adapt style, theory, language to suit their horse.

A good horse is any horse that will allow us to get on and ride whilst we try and work all this out.

If we do not try, how can we expect a horse to trust us on their back?

It is also okay to say that the personalities do not always match. That you want different things. We can choose our instructors, our riders and our horses.

It’s still fascinating to me seventeen years later, just how many personalities a robot horse seems to have.
The simulator will always be the same but it never feels the same.
To understand your horse is to understand yourself.
How do you react to instruction, how strong are your hands, do you freeze in the arena or panic on a hack?
How quickly do you process information compared to how quickly you expect your horse to?

If you would like to understand your riding style and be better equipped to make those choices then why not book a lesson with Roo and me today? Together we will be the team your horse will thank you for.

21/03/2025

I have a last minute session available tomorrow at 1pm. To book go to

14/03/2025

Play dough, biscuits and new friendships mixed with a love of horses created today’s biscuit club. Catching up on everyone’s stories from last session with some huge progress being made all round.

A chance to discuss and see what we think we should be doing , what we are doing and some real examples of how we are actually achieving what sometimes can feel out of reach when it comes to our riding. Each person on their own journey.

This group is now full but if you are interested in joining another session please let me know and I will see what I can put together.

11/03/2025

What type of lessons do you offer?

There are a variety of lessons available.

55 minute private session £50.00
30 minute private session £30.00

60 minute shared lesson for two people £55.00
90 minute shared lesson for two people £82.50.

You can also do our two month package which offers 10% off 4 private sessions.
55 minute course £180.00
30minute course £108.00

All bookings can be made directly through the website www.lucymcwilliam.com.
All available dates and times are online.

Please note due to increasing costs there will be a £5.00 increase on all lessons from 1st April.

Lucy believes in improving the rider to improve the horse. Roo the Riding Simulator is a perfect training aid to achieving a better understanding between horse and rider.

02/03/2025

Next up a lady who came to me having had a break due to a medical condition. She has through her own strength and courage made huge steps forward. Not only for herself but inspiring others along the way. (She’s far too modest to tell you that bit)

Previous riding experience:
Started riding as a child at the local equestrian centre,rode regularly until my mid 20's then had a gap of about 18yrs.
Went back to it and rode once or twice a week until covid hit. Then it was just as and when allowed.
Only ever rode for fun.

Reason for coming to Roo:
Hadn't ridden for over 2yrs due to medical condition. Mounting and dismounting was especially difficult and uncomfortable which caused lack of confidence and belief.
Needed the safe element of Roo to test my mind and body.

Biggest takeaway:
Being able to relax knowing that no judgment was being made on my ability and lack of elegance.

Would you recommend:
Highly recommend both Lucy and Roo.
Roo is very forgiving( as long as she gets a pat).
Lucy is knowledgeable,patient, understanding,supportive and encouraging. All of the above have helped me to start my new riding journey and I'm now back on a horse once a week.

24/02/2025

February has brought a record number of clients through the doors.
One of the most asked questions is who is this for?
It’s a hard one to answer because I see such a range of clients. So I thought the best way was to get them to explain themselves. First up this lovely lady
(I have full permission to share photographs. I choose to crop faces. The internet can be a weird place)

Previous riding experience:
Riding since I was 5 yo. Pony clubbed as a kid. Focused more on dressage & showjumping from a teenager onwards, dabbled in polo during uni years.

What brought me to the simulator:
Intrigued by riding a mechanical horse firstly. Secondly, to highlight my sticking points that were holding me back with the higher levels of dressage.

Biggest takeaway:
I could relax fully with the simulator and allow my body to find my seat again and (try) to relax my tight hip flexors knowing that Roo wouldn’t spook! It gave me time to fully find my seat again.

Would you recommend: Absolutely, it’s a chance to focus 100% on yourself without outside distractions. Lucy has eagle eyes for critiquing your position, and a fantastic way of diving deeper into your riding abilities with knowledgeable explanations. & not forgetting Marmalade who is fantastic company and therapy 🩷

31/01/2025

Sometimes it’s not about the theory it’s about the listening.
Today was the first of hopefully many biscuit club sessions. An idea I have been wanting to do for many years.
A chance for a group of complete strangers with similar riding stories to come together and share. Some talking, some riding and plenty of tea and biscuits. Talking to my riders over the years I’m often struck by the similarities in people’s stories. Biscuit club is a place to realise you are not the only one. There is so much to be gained from learning the skill of listening not just to each other but our horses too. No judgement, no I’m better because I do…. Just simply a group of people sharing thier love of horses and how we can be the best for them.