Ashdown Forest Riding Centre

03/12/2024

Dear friends and loyal customers

I guess all of you must be wondering what's happening at the AFRC following the recent note on FB about the current closure.

Well the AFRC and me personally are facing a potentially life changing situation resulting from an incident that happened back in October 2021. During that incident, one of our most experienced FREELANCE instructors at the AFRC suffered a serious knee injury while handling a small pony. Now I must note that, the above person is somebody I have known for 15 years or so, is a highly skilled and experienced rider and a prominent member of the hunting community. Also, I considered this person a good friend, I trusted her to ride all my active competition horses at the time, she was helping me with my foals, youngsters, broodmares and would try-out and evaluate any new horses arriving at the AFRC and she was the first person I would consult and take advice from on all matters relating to the horses at the AFRC. This person was extremely popular with the AFRC clients and involved in all aspects of AFRC activities.

So this person, who has suffered multiple injuries during her hunting and horse related activities, decided to take legal action against me for her injury sustained on that day. As I don't feel responsible at all and because I feel 100% innocent, I am prepared and willing to contest this preposterous accusation against me all the way to court if I have to. All of us working and owning horses are fully aware that sometimes we get injuries, that is the unpredictable nature of being around horses. Sadly for me, this person has decided to employ one of these highly controversial legal firms who work on a NO WIN NO FEE basis. So she has nothing to lose whereas I stand to lose everything I have worked for over my 30 years' building the AFRC. I even gave this person the most fantastic glowing reference when she took a non-horse related job.

Even worse though, this utterly unjust and unfair claim against me has resulted in me not being able to obtain the necessary insurance policy to carry on operating the AFRC. For this reason the AFRC is now closed.

In 30 years of operating and managing the AFRC, and some 65,000 happy customers who had a wonderful, fun and above all safe riding experience with the AFRC, and with a superb safety record with no serious accidents to have occurred during that period, I never thought I would be experiencing this legal nightmare for 3 years now and, as a result, unable to insure my business.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to so many, many loyal, regular clients - I am so grateful for all your support.

The wonderful AFRC horses will be having a little break while we work out a plan going forward.

Stathis

24/11/2024

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES,THE AFRC IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

14/10/2024

Our adorable Bertie caused us all a fright on Saturday night. Luckily Catherine and Pollyanna were at the yard late and noticed Bertie laying flat-out and breathing heavily. We arrived at the yard late in the evening to find them in the school with Bertie laying down, rolling and looking at his stomach. After keeping him moving for a bit, he seemed to pick up and then joy of joys - we've never been so delighted to see him pass a dropping!! He will have a few days off and a check-up with the vet in the next few days 😅🥰

14/10/2024

It was a lovely day on the Forest on Sunday for this small group of children who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The horses were amazing as usual 😍

26/08/2024

Well done to Pollyanna and Cookie who jumped a clear round in the 75cm at the Edenbridge & Oxted Show today. They were on fire 🔥. They have jumped bigger courses but this was their biggest show yet and it seems Cookie took it all in her stride - we wonder if the ears helped a bit 🏇😍🏅👍

26/08/2024

Amazing picture of Aska and Laura performing their dressage at Blair Castle on Friday. Sadly they had a mishap on the XC so couldnt complete the phase. Laura was super pleased with Aska though and says they have more dates coming up soon.

21/08/2024

A little update on the beautiful Anderida Askadora who went to a lovely new home in N Wales in February. Aska and Laura are building a really nice partnership and have had some really good results in their eventing escapades so far. This weekend they are competing in their first international 2* competition at Blair Castle. We wish them the best of luck 🍀🤞 here they are exploring the surroundings before their dressage on Friday 😍

13/07/2024

CEDOR is progressing well as his show season is reaching its climax.

Miles took him to Lodge farm twice recently and it was a great experience for horse and rider .During the first outing , Kevin was rather tentative when he first started but with Miles riding him in a very confident and positive way, he soon started really enjoying his xc jumping.

A week later, Kevin was very good from the very beginning and was soon jumping out of a proper very forward xc rythm which was great to see. It really helped the horses confidence in that the ground was really excellent , especially for this time of the year.

I must mention how super well Milly rode her horse which also was very helpful in encouraging Kevin to jump well and enjoy himself.

Best news overall is that Milly had such a great time that she started floating the magic words for me, doing a pairs hunter trial with Miles or even a ODE !!!! Would Miles be tempted maybe ?

Earlier today, Miles took Kevin to Pyecombe for a couple of classes , sort of prep show for the next Hickstead on 23 and 25/7.
Kevin jumped really well in the Discovery for a double clear and a 5th place. However in the not very competitive and rather small and not very technical 5yo class , Kevin jumped ok with 2 fences down, The first one we are not really bothered but the 2nd he had down, a plain red jump with planks , Kevin did everything he could to knock the jump which we found very annoying .Miles looked to be spot on stride wise and Kevin was plain and simply too late and careless with his front feet .

Never mind , overall we all think Kevin is progressing well. His overall behaviour and attitude is really excellent now. One of his weakest and most challenging issues Kevin had for a long time , related to a NON riding aspect of his training routine, is greatly improving all the time, thanks to Miles's patience and always positive approach .

Plan wise, the next Hickstead show, the royal international one is not too high in our plans. We will treat it as a prep show for the main aim of this season , the Uk young horse championship, again at Hickstead on 9 and 10/8. I hope lots of people from the AFRC come to support Miles and Kevin .

And if we are pleased with how Kevin performs then ,and of course if the horse is healthy and happy, we may go to the Wales and West international show , 2 weeks later where again there are good 5 yo classes for Kevin to take part.

So lots to look forward with Miles and Kevin during the next month.

This week should be a quiet one with lots of hacking , with maybe a schooling session end of next week.

13/07/2024

Our annual AIRMANS GRAVE ride will take place on Wedn 31/7 , starting at around 1800 and we have 1 possibly 2 places left for EXPERIENCED riders only.

Bookings on 07818093880

13/07/2024

We have 2 places left on our advanced 2 hour hack on 21/7, 1130 to 1330 which we may turn into a pub ride if all riders feel like it.

Please note this is not a NOVICE ride.

Bookings on 07818093880.

12/07/2024

REALLY GOOD ground conditions still on the forest.

We are now in the middle of July and the very unsettled and at times very wet weather may not be pleasant for us humans but our horses are very happy. Hardly any flies, really nice juicy grass to eat and mostly very comfortable ground conditions on the forest.

Long may it continue.

03/07/2024

STEFIE

Its been a year now since Stefie died and we do miss her very much.She was such a beautiful little pony with a great personality and gave us all that spend time with her many many amazing memories.

03/07/2024

CEDOR completed his Hickstead show on a very positive note.

After jumping a super double clear round in the 2nd 5yo qualifier in the beautiful ring 2, he qualified again for the final in the main ring.There jumping over his biggest course so far ,he jumped again really well but had another stop again at a jump near the water feature and another fence down.

Nevertheless , we were all really thrilled with his overall performance and demeanour during the show,

The following week , Cedor had a few days off in the field and then resumed his ridden work hacking only .Yesterday i went to see him doing a grid training session at a yard near where Miles is based.This was a very educational but technically very difficult for a young horse exercise but Cedor coped really well and jumped super .(video to follow).

Looking to the future now, Miles and i both feel that Cedor should next jump some lower classes , just in case his confidence has been dented a bit which is very normal for young jumpers who are as carefull as him. When we dont yet but he is hopefully going to Lodge farm this weekend to have fun doing xc.

26/06/2024

As our ponies enjoy their well earned rest this week, i came across this and thought how perfect 🥰🐎...

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 🐴

All pictures past and present with memories attached are wonderful thank you and please carry on. 😁

23/06/2024

Enjoyed the most Beautiful summer solstice evening, with fabulous riders and horses, What better way to finish off ones day! 🥰 🐎💗🌞

Check out Ashdown Forest Riding Centre’s video.

20/06/2024

ANDERIDA CEDOR really gave us a very emotional day with tremendous highs ans lows.

The day started with his first time in Hicksteads famous but daunting main ring. Cedor ridden exceptionally well by Miles, jumped a really super first round, showing great scope over every jump , was going really well in the jump off when Miles turned reasonably tight into a jump next to one of the Hickstead water features which Cedor took a serious dislike to and refused point blanc to jump it.

We were all very deflated with this as he was jumping so well and could have been very much into contention.

A couple of hours later and not expecting too much, Cedor jumped towards the end of a very , very competitive 2nd 5yo qualifier in the very beautiful and scenic ring 2 and came 10th among more than 80 entries.

We all thought he jumped absolutely fantastic not remotely looking as if he was going to even touch a jump. Again Miles rode him ever so well but i must say Cedor really was very impressive today.

None of us are really too bothered or upset about his elimination in the main ring, as we know that when Cedor does not like something , then there is not much we can do about it .Just be patient and try again.

But overall we are delighted with the horse . He has now qualified for the 5yo final in the main ring, 0845 on Sat morning . I am trying through my connections to offer a nice bribe to the really nice Irish course builder so that he doesnt put any jumps too near the water feature which Cedor objected too.

Photos and video to follow.😀😄

20/06/2024

CEDOR AND MILES had a very good day at Hickstead.

Although i didnt think Cedor jumped that well in his first round , the newcomers,he was double clear and came 14th over 168 !!!!! starters and has qualified for the final in the main ring today at 1000. I say he didnt jump that well, because compared to the SOE last week, when we saw the photos and videos, his round was nothing special .

His second class, the 5yo qualifier, was much better. Really great and careful with his hind legs, however he did knock 2 fences down. One was a miscommunication between horse and rider about where to take off, the second one though, he was careless , plain and simple.

Still overall, Cedor was great in every other day. Collecting ring, standing about, tacking up ,being washed down and all that in the middle of so much going on everywhere, which shows how mentally secure the horse is , at still a very young age.

A huge thanks to Miles who rode him again so well and to Milly and Ella who looked after Cedor so well and had him looking fantastic.

Lets hope he enjoys his first experience in the main ring at Hickstead which can be daunting for young horses .😀😁😆👍🤞

13/06/2024

GROUND CONDITIONS are still very good but getting firm in places. No complaints though , our horses are all enjoying the hacks and are all giving us fun, exciting but safe rides😄😃