Riding Simulator by Lucy McWilliam

03/11/2024

You can find us in the row of shops just past the Windmill on the right.

30/10/2024

It’s never too early for a cute dog in a Christmas hat!
Marmalade would like you all to know that gift vouchers are now available online or to collect in person.
We also have special stocking filler vouchers available this year.
These 10 minute taster vouchers are £10 and the perfect stocking size.
For more information go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

29/10/2024

Tuesday Thoughts:

Horse Simulators weren’t designed to replace the real thing, but to enhance our relationship with them by becoming better riders for their sake as well as our own.

Do you agree?

25/10/2024

Lesson for two!
By popular request you can now book a shared lesson for two people.
One hour of lesson time for £55.00
Each lesson will be tailored for your individual needs.
For more information or to book go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

10/10/2024

Save the date!
The Simulator will be open for taster sessions 5pm to 9pm.

✨ Save the date ✨

Join us for a festive evening of late night shopping on Saturday, the 30th of November from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Shop unique gifts from the indoor craft stalls, meet local artisan makers and explore all our wonderful on-site shops after hours.

Enjoy some delicious bites, and goody gifts from the festive food stalls, as well the seasonal specials in the café……it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season 🎄🎅🏼🎁

07/10/2024

Meet Paddy!
Paddy can only be described as a true gentleman. He is kind, gentle and forgiving. The kind of horse that greets you ears forward with a gentle nuzzle.
I first met paddy’s owner when she came for lessons on the riding simulator.
She is also kind and gentle and only wants the best for her horse. Theirs is a true partnership built on mutual trust and a big dose of fun.
There was just one thing. Up until I met him it was thought that Paddy was a head shaker when ridden. He was never ridden without a fly mask and nose net. Overtime it became obvious to us both that perhaps Paddy’s issue wasn’t allergies but it might be linked to rein contact.
Rein contact is an interesting one with many opinions on how and what you should do to achieve the correct contact.
Ultimately what we should all be striving for is comfort for both horse and rider.
It’s very common to meet a rider that doesn’t realise how heavy handed they can be. The most common fault being tension and lack of balance both of which feed down the reins to the bit without the rider realising.
We have worked a lot on improving her seat, both on the simulator and Paddy developing a more secure balanced position to ensure the contact is soft and free. In return Paddy has become more settled in his head carriage and no longer shakes his head when ridden. The mask and net have now been hung up and the partnership between horse and rider is even stronger. A lesson perhaps that our horses try to communicate with us and a real example of a rider taking it on board and working to find a solution.

03/10/2024

So I wrote a post about the fact that you can have different coaches for the simulators in the same way you would on your real horse.
How none of the simulator coaches I’ve met use the simulator in the same way.
I then wrote a bit about the fact that I’ve been using the simulators for the best part of 16 years now about the different models I’ve used and how my style and experience has grown.
And then I overthought it, didn’t post it and now I’m here.
How many times do we do that when we ride? How many times do we overthink the stride, panic entering the arena and forget the test. How many times do we think about doing something about that thing that is holding us back in our equine journey stopping us from trying something new. Unsure of how it will be received or what it might show up.
Then I realised exactly what I would say to someone if they were thinking of booking a session on the sim.
Why not give it a try. You might be amazing at things you didn’t know you could do or a simple change could eliminate the block in the road.
I guarantee there will be no judgement. No you were silly to come only kindness and understanding which is exactly what is needed by our horses.
For the record my original post said something along the lines of, I have loads of experience. There isn’t much I haven’t seen and my style works not just on the simulator but real horses too. I also happen to think I’m quite good at all this horse/person stuff!

30/09/2024

Limited taster sessions available.

I have four 10 minute taster sessions available on Saturday 5th of October.
£10 for ten minutes on the Riding Simulator.
Sessions available are
1pm
1.15pm
1.30pm
1.45pm
For more information or to book call or text me on 07885972142.
Based At Wymondham Windmill, Melton Mowbray, LE14 2BU.

28/09/2024

I have some spaces available on Wednesday 3rd & Thursday 4th of October. To book go to www.lucymcwilliam.com
30 minute and 55 minute sessions available.

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.

23/09/2024

Two more lovely testimonials this week from two riders who came for completely different reasons.

12/09/2024

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting 11 year old Erin who came along for her first ride on Roo. Erin’s Grandfather sent me this feedback along with Erin’s own thoughts.
Erin was a natural on Roo. It was a real privilege watching her confidence grow as she understood the aids she needed to get the results she wanted. My favourite type of client 😊

10/09/2024

GIFT VOUCHERS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
To purchase a voucher go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

09/09/2024

Getting on just got a whole lot easier!

Not much thought goes into getting on but it can have a huge impact.
Some people mount from the ground some from a leg up, some balance questionably on a step ladder/log.
Whatever your preferred method may be it’s worth taking the time to understand how it can effect your position and balance in the saddle. As well as understanding the effect on your horse as you mount.

Roo is the perfect pony to practice on, you can even take the time to learn how to change your stirrups correctly or as I’m seeing more and more how to adjust them yourself 😄
Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference.

04/09/2024

Back to school today so my working hours will return to normal.

Lessons are available by appointment Tuesday to Saturday.

All available dates and times are on the website www.lucymcwilliam.com

By popular request I have added a 30 minute course as well as the 55 minutes.

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.

14/08/2024

I have some available slots this Saturday 17th August to book go to www.lucymcwilliam.com

24/07/2024

I will be closed from 24th July to 7th of August for a little summer holiday. August/September dates are available to book on the website www.lucymcwilliam.com
See you soon
Lucy x

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.

19/07/2024

Small changes make big differences. Testimonials like this are why I love my job.

“What a discovery this has been. I need to shout it from the rooftops just how beneficial the riding lessons have been for my health. I have Multiple Sclerosis so I hoped lessons would help with my poor balance, lack of core strength and general tension and poor posture. I was delighted to find it has helped with all these areas and more. After the very first lesson I became much more aware of what my body is doing and began to understand the mind-body relationship. My spine is so much straighter and my pelvis less restricted in movement.

Roo, the horse, is a hugely clever piece of kit but the real gift here is Lucy. She has experience beyond her years, an innate understanding of the human body and knows how to gently suggest small changes in posture or action that result in huge improvements in levels of tension and pain. At a regular osteopath appointment, the practitioner commented on the improvement in my spine and suggested that whatever I was doing, I should keep doing it. If you suffer with back stiffness, pain, tension, or poor posture try riding lessons with Lucy and Roo. You won’t be disappointed. I could try, but would fail, to explain in words just how good she is. You need to try this for yourself.”

03/07/2024

Does it buck?
Most popular question I get asked from people passing by. Swiftly followed by how does it work?
The simple answer is it’s a training aid which can be used in a variety of ways.

1. It raises your awareness in the saddle.
2. You can take time to understand an instruction and practice without impacting the horse.
3. The movement from the simulator can be used to help release tension and improve mobility creating a softer seat.
4. It’s great exercise
5. You can learn to ride using the simulator developing the skills you will need when riding a real horse.
6. It’s safe! The simulator can be used with or without rider control meaning the horse will only do what is asked of it.
7. You don’t have to be a rider to benefit from the Simulator.
8. It has leg sensors and rein sensors as well as sensors under the saddle.

Does it feel like a real horse?
Find me two horses that feel exactly the same, that’s an almost impossible task. The simulator is as close as you will get to a real horse the development of the simulator is incredible and it’s possible to forget you aren’t on the real thing. It’s not there to replace the real horse’s but to compliment them.

What do you do?
Well I like to think that you can’t have one without the other. Whilst the simulator can tell you what’s wrong it doesn’t tell you how to fix it. With over 15 years experience of working with the simulators I don’t miss much.

01/07/2024

Frequently asked questions

1. What do I wear?

Please come in clothes suitable for riding this includes suitable footwear. No trainers please. You do not need to wear a hat but you are welcome to if you prefer.

2. Where do I go?

When you arrive onsite please park in the car park at the top and walk down past the windmill. Roo is in the 2nd unit on the right.

3. Can I bring my saddle?

Yes you can bring your saddle it’s a good idea as saddles are all shaped differently. Please note that not all saddles fit the simulator so I may ask you to ride in one of mine if yours does not fit or isn’t suitable.

4. Can I bring someone with me?

Yes that’s not a problem there is a seating area and you are welcome to get a drink from the tea room and bring it over.

5. Do you hire the horse without you teaching?

No. Roo is only available for use with instruction from me.

6. Can I take pictures?

Yes of course I prefer it if I’m not in them and please ask before filming.

7. Can we share a lesson?

No I’m afraid not. Lessons are purchased on a 1 to 1 basis. Group bookings are available please ask for more details.

8. Can I move my lesson?

You have until 48hrs before your lesson to change it. After that you will be charged the full lesson price if you cancel or fail to show up.

9. What does the lesson involve?

Lessons are tailored to meet your individual requirements. Just like a real horse an assessment on your ability will be made in each pace before we decide a plan for you. Please note you won’t necessarily be given all the controls each time you ride. Roo is a big investment and can be damaged if not used correctly.

10. Can anyone have a go?

Any age or ability is welcome to have a go. Roo does have a manufacturer set weight limit of 16 stone and due to the height of my ceiling I’m not able to cater for anyone over 6’2 I’m afraid.

11. How do I book?

Lessons are appointment only and can be booked online at

28/06/2024

I have some availability this Saturday in the afternoon to book go to

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.

13/06/2024

If you have ridden with me before then you would have heard me talk about my Alexander Lady. Well her name is Sarah Witkin.

I can’t even begin to tell you how brilliant she is.

So for those of you asking and there are lots of you here are her details.

Now to convince her that despite the fact I keep moving further away we really should start the workshops again 😄

Sarah Witkin Alexander Technique and Horse Riding Instructor. Providing Alexander Technique lessons and/or horse riding coaching

11/06/2024

07/06/2024

What you think you are looking at is a picture of someone’s position. Quickly we are transported to a mindset of critique what does it look like, where is the leg, what’s the heel doing.
What you are actually looking at is a lovely lady who when she first came to me didn’t have the mobility in the hips to even get in a saddle. After a few sessions in the ba****ck pad this is her first 30 minute lesson in a saddle.
What you are looking at is HER riding journey. To start with the goal was to just get back in the saddle the rest will follow. Her patience with herself and her determination has paid off.
We each have our own goal, our own journey and our own reward.
The simulator becomes the horse you need it to be for the results you want to see and I will happily be by your side every step of the way.

06/06/2024

I have availability on Saturday 8th June at 3pm & 4pm. To book go to

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.