Hundleby Equestrian Centre - Riding School & Pony Club

19/09/2025

🥹 Feedback Friday

We had a lovely message from Charlie’s mum this week and she’s very kindly let us share her photos and message!

When we get a text like this, it genuinely makes our days and sessions seem so worth it and cements why we do what we do, and why I want to strive to do more and be better 🙌

“I just want to say the tots stay and play have been so good for Charlie and what a great job you’re doing getting the little ones involved. Charlie is an SEN child and he’s only 2.5 so keeping him engaged is hard and he’s loving it so much. ♥️ well done and thank you for offering them opportunities like this x”

A huge thank you to Charlie and mum for letting us share these gorgeous photos and thank you for making our week 🫶🏼

17/09/2025

🎃 Have you seen our Halloween events? 🎃

You asked for a Forest School event and we’re happy to announce our first one in the October holidays! 🍁

Our sessions are SEND inclusive and parents are welcome to stay at these two sessions! 🫶🏼

Booking available on EC pro 📱

16/09/2025

Absolutely thrilled to announce we now have a Stage 3 coach on site 🥳

This will now open many doors for us as a business and allow us to offer a wider range of lessons and services ⭐️

✨ Big news and a proud moment to share! ✨

Three weeks ago, I sat my BHS Stage 3 Coaching exam… and I’m so delighted to say I passed! 🎉🐴

This journey started in an unexpected way. A while back, I read a negative comment online on some kids social media about my teaching. Alongside a fellow riding school using the fact I wasn’t BHS qualified as their marketing tool when people called.

Despite years of experience, it really ate away at me that I wasn’t qualified and I felt a huge sense of imposter syndrome.

But then, when I was made redundant from my corporate role, I decided it was time to stop doubting myself and just go for it - to get qualified and prove to myself that I could.

The exam itself wasn’t easy. I was given a horse in the cross-country section who was known for refusing fences. It was a real test of my coaching and under pressure too, but it actually worked in my favour as we all know I’m used to dealing with Ziggys “no’s!” - the horse finished jumping a lovely course and the examiner commented I really should consider going to Stage 4 rather quickly as she thought I was more than capable.

That vote of confidence means the world 🥹

Becoming a Stage 3 Instructor not only strengthens what we can offer through the riding school, but also opens so many new doors 🤞🏼

There aren’t many schools with a Stage 3 instructor on-site at all times, and I feel really proud of what that means for us and the potential growth opportunities over the next 12 months as a business. I won’t stop until we’re the best I believe we can be!

Looking ahead, I’ll also be taking on some freelance coaching both for individuals and groups, including pony clubs, while I continue my own journey towards Stage 4.

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on this path, including my current clients who have let me use them as guinea pigs, and to my horses for making me strive to continuously be and do better to advocate for their needs!

This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for both the riding school and me personally! 💫🐎

15/09/2025

Jordan’s had a week off and to welcome her back tomorrow, we’ve made an “ODE to Jordan video” 🙌🤘🏼

Just a few things that drive her bonkers on the yard…. 😎

12/09/2025

‼️ WANTED ‼️

Someone to come and clip 1 pony for BD PetPlan Champs.

Must be able to do a good and smart job on a grey pony and clip professionally, not as a hobby.

Please comment, or message.

10/09/2025

🏠 LOAN HOME FOUND - thank you

🌟 Loan Opportunity – Betty, 14.2hh Coloured Mare 🌟

We are offering our much-loved mare Betty on loan. Betty has been with us since birth, and we’ve done everything with her from breaking in to producing the kind, versatile mare she is today.

✨ About Betty:
14.2hh coloured mare

Super to handle on the ground, adores fuss, grooming and attention.

Forward-going, willing, and eager to please – with commitment, she’ll happily jump the moon for you.

Hacks out beautifully on quiet roads and lanes, you can ride her on the buckle and she’ll happily plod along.

A real fun all-rounder who thrives on variety rather than just school work everyday.

⚠️ Important to Know:
Betty can kick out if she feels vulnerable, especially around whips. This is why she didn’t suit our riding school setup.
She is a little nervy in heavy traffic, so quieter hacking routes are better for her.

👩‍🦰 Ideal Loan Home:
Betty would suit a competent teenager, young rider, or a mother–daughter share who can give her the consistency she thrives on.
She’s also happy to go out as a companion, as she owes us nothing and is super to leave alone in the field.

🐴 Current Situation:
Betty has just foaled our gorgeous Beatrix, so she will be available at weaning in October.
If she stays here, a financial commitment is required, and we are looking for a minimum loan term of 6 months.

📍 She can be loaned from our yard, or we would consider her moving to the right home – but we will be very selective about where she goes.

📩 Please message us if you think Betty could be the right partner (or companion) for you.

09/09/2025

What a gorgeous week for the ponies to have off work! And truly deserved 🥰❤️

03/09/2025

✨ That’s a wrap! 🎬

Six weeks, around 700 children through our gates, and just like that, summer at Hundleby Equestrian is over.

I say it every year, but honestly, this one has topped them all. We’ve had the BEST summer and I’ve no hesitation in saying it.

We’ve loved welcoming both our HAF children and our regular campers and riders. And while I’m not usually the emotional type, this summer has had me going soft more than once.

Like when a SEND child, asked about their favourite part of the day, simply replied: “You’ve changed my life.” 😢

Or when a nervous teenager asked his friend what riding felt like, and she said: “It feels like freedom.” 🫶🏼

Or when two SEND children, who’d been excluded from every club before HAF thrived so much here that their mum and grandma froze in panic when I said, “Can I have a word?” … only for me to tell them how brilliantly they had done.

Moments like these aren’t staged, they’re created 🫶🏼

And they’re created through horses. 🐴

This summer has been different, in the best possible way. My team have been nothing short of incredible, rallying together, putting up with my bossiness, sudden plan changes (sorry Jordan, I know you love a plan!), and somehow surviving 700 children in the process.

Special thanks to Pip and Jordan for practically running the show. I’ll never forget Jordan’s face when, two weeks before summer, I casually announced I was starting a new job. She could’ve swung for me but she and Pip stepped up and gave these kids unforgettable memories.

Huge gratitude also to Laura F, Tezi, Charlotte, and Hannah for all your hard work. To Tezi and Laura; our brave non-horsey recruits, you were thrown in the deep end and smashed it! 💪🏼

And to Mum (Suzy), for stepping in when the bakery couldn’t - thank you. ❤️

To the parents - thank you for trusting us with your children. To the children - you are ALWAYS welcome here! Shall we have a free HAF reunion?

To the ponies - we quite literally owe you everything. 🐴

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

There’ve been challenges, gritted teeth, and I’m sure Jordan’s muttered “polite words” about me more than once! We’ve learnt Pip needs a watch, Jordan’s pony tail swings when she walks quick, she NEEDS a plan and heaven forbid you muck it up! Laura doesn’t know where the tack belongs and lots more… but together, we pulled it off 🤘🏼

And for those waiting on the final chapter of the story, it’s coming! I’ve just been (very excitingly!) commissioned to write for Horse & Hound, so that’s taken priority. But I promise, it’s on its way! 😎

So, here’s to the rest of 2025 and to the people and ponies who make this all possible. 🥂

03/09/2025

🐴 Learn to Ride at Hundleby Equestrian Centre!

Fun, friendly lessons for all ages and abilities with a BHS-qualified coach on site 🤘🏼

Horse care and welfare always come first, while you build confidence, skills, and unforgettable memories 🫶🏼

👉 Book online today: hundleby-ec.ecpro.co.uk

02/09/2025

📢 Important Update 📢

With immediate effect, we kindly ask that no video recording of lessons or activities takes place at Hundleby Equestrian.

This decision has been made to protect both our riders and our horses. In today’s world, even well-meaning videos can be taken out of context or misinterpreted online, which can negatively impact individuals and the wider equestrian community.

As part of maintaining our social licence to operate and ensuring the welfare of horses remains at the heart of everything we do, we feel this is the right step forward.

A video of a small fall could seem much worse to the outside world who weren’t aware of the context around a minor fall. Equally, if fellow riders see this it could make them nervous to ride that horse.

✅ Photos for personal memories are still welcome, but please ask the instructor first.
❌ No filming of lessons, training, or activities is permitted.
❌ No photos of ponies in the barns. Outdoor photos are allowed only with instructor permission.

If you’d like to capture a special moment - like a first jump - please ask the instructor to film it (they have all been instructed to film for you).

You can then obtain the video from Siân at the end of the day.

We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep Hundleby Equestrian a safe, positive, and supportive environment for everyone. 💙🐴