Widbrook equestrian centre

24/08/2024

Posting this again please update your accounts regularly

13/08/2024

Lists for tomorrow’s clear round starts at 10.30am

06/08/2024

Dressage times for Thursday 8th August
Smartly dressed
Remember Gloves must be worn 😀

21/07/2024

Jump group with Emma 16th August has just gone live

19/07/2024

Laura has a group lesson on Wednesday 24th at 4.30pm any takers or il open it for private lessons

19/07/2024

We have a full day pony day on 31st July 9am-3pm that has some spaces available

11/07/2024

We have cross country clinics with Kirsty on 15th & 21st August
These are great to get some experience riding in the field and build confidence jumping cross country fences
This will only show up on your account if the rider is eligible

26/06/2024

August dates are on the system
We have lots of pony mornings, xc clinics, dressage and clear round plus the usual lessons

08/06/2024

Pony morning on Friday 26th July is now full spaces still available on the Wednesday 24th this is for riders with a grade 6 or above

08/06/2024

Please be aware lessons will be limited on the weekend of 13th and 14th July as all RDA horses are at the Nationals

08/06/2024

The last week of July has now been scheduled. We have a few pony days and an extra group lesson with laura, book quickly to avoid disappointment

17/05/2024

Please can we kindly ask all our clients to update their accounts regularly with accurate heights and weights.
Our horses welfare is of the upmost importance to us and therefore a strict weight limit is in place.
If we have a concern we may ask you to stand on the scales. If it is found that you are over our weight limit or you refuse to be weighed then unfortunately we can not allow you to ride.
Thankyou for your understanding and cooperation

12/04/2024

‼️‼️‼️Please note ‼️‼️‼️

11/04/2024

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow
Starts @10.30am with poles

03/04/2024

‼️ Before everyone starts emailing me to say I have made errors (although I do sometimes 😉) ….. Please note …

🏖️ Kirsty is on holiday Weds 8th May - Weds 15th May

🐎 Zoe will work Sat 11 and 18th May instead of Sun 12 and 19th May

🐴 Laura will work Sun 12 and 19th May instead of Sat 11 and 18th May

🏝️Laura is also away on Fri 24th and Sat 25th May.

So this may affect group lessons - you may either find your class has a different instructor or is not able to run on that date.

Sorry.

30/03/2024

⚠️ Please don’t forget your clocks go forward one hour tonight - eapecially if you have a lesson tomorrow! ⏰

06/03/2024

Zoe Steadman-Milne Zoe Chapman Susan Herd Hollie Stickland Emma Hulbert-Brown Sian Thomas Kirsty Iona Nelson Laura Brixton Kelly Rose Kady Chatman and anyone else that might be interested!

Join us for an informative talk at The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury BA13 3EN suitable for all vulnerable road users.
In January 2022 the Highway Code changed and introduced a hierarchy of road users to improve road safety. The hierarchy places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. It does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly. https://orlo.uk/2kdBW
If you are a car, tractor, van driver or cyclist and you are not sure how to pass a horse and rider safely here is your chance to learn how from The British Horse Society and Wiltshire Police.
If you are a horse rider do you know your responsibilities and the Law around riding on the road? Do you ride on the pavement, ride two abreast, use a mobile when riding? Have you suffered from road rage and dangerous driving? What can you do to avoid becoming another statistic? How to report incidents/accidents and ensure you are covered in the event of an accident?

No need to book, just turn up.

04/03/2024

We will also have clear round on Friday 12th April booking for this will go live on Friday 8th March at 7am

04/03/2024

Half term dates are now on the system
We also have pony mornings, games lessons jumping groups so book now to avoid disappointed

01/03/2024

Thank you for your lovely words Naomi 😍
More people need to read this and understand this!!!

One of my biggest frustrations in this industry is the lack of understanding and consideration for the role that Riding School horses play. So often, I see riders complaining about Riding School horses for a huge variety of reasons: for their perceived lack of quality or value, for having to ride one they don’t like, for not getting to ride the one they do like, for their establishment not having enough Riding School horses, or for the Riding School horses not being available at their convenience. Riding school horses not being good enough for them. I’ve dealt with all of the above and I know I’ll continue to do so, but I think it’s important that people understand the reality of Riding School horses, and that’s that they aren’t here for you/your kid to ride forever and climb the levels with your one lesson a week fortnightly commitment.

They’re here to get you started, safely and productively, while you decide just how far you want to take this.

Riding School horses are incredibly special creatures. They have to be easily caught by beginners who don’t know how to properly approach a prey animal.

They have to stand like statues on the crossties while tiny kids take the better part of an hour to get them clean.

They have to hold their head still while beginners jam the bit into their teeth for the fiftieth time in a row to put the bridle on.

They have to stand still at the mounting block while someone stands for too long with all their weight in the left stirrup and then slams down on their back with no consideration for their comfort.

They tolerantly teach riders who are unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unclear, who catch their mouths and bounce on their backs and kick at their sides, and every single time, they are expected to just come again without so much as a swish of their tail or pinning of their ears.

And any time one of these horses has a moment where they act like a regular horse or force the rider to really ride, they’re labeled annoying or rude or bad or lazy or whatever.

Riding School horses are not intended to take you up the levels and jump big jumps and win all the classes. If these horses were this beginner-friendly and this tolerant AND the hack winner with an auto lead change, you couldn’t afford them!

That’s not to say these horses can’t be winners if you ride them well and pull your weight, but their ability to win in the show ring is not where their real value lies.

Riding School horses exist to bring new riders into the sport. To teach them the ropes and get them started, lay a foundation and prepare them to make a bigger commitment to the sport by leasing or purchasing the next step horse.

Riding School horses are not responsible for chasing your Olympic dreams for you.

They’re responsible for getting them started in the first place.

For riders to act like a Riding School horse isn’t valuable because he isn’t the winner in any company or harder to ride is ignorant and unfair.

Every horse you ride has something to teach you. Whether it’s the crotchety old school pony who likes to root when you’re not paying attention, or the younger lesson horse who will only pick up the right lead if you ask *just right*, or the ultra reliable skip-change king, they all will add to your toolkit that you can one day apply to the fancier model you get to take you to the next level after yout Riding Scool Journey.

Don’t forget about all the lessons you learn along the way and remember that without Riding School horses, you wouldn’t be riding at all!

Riding School owners are trying their best to provide the best services they can and keep the Riding School horses in the good condition. Horses are extremely expensive not just to buy but to keep aswell. Utilities, Mortgage/Rent, Vets bills, Feed, Haylage, Bedding, Vaccinations, Farrier, Wormers, Staff Wages, Physio, Saddler and so much more the list is endless no one sees how much it all costs to keep a yard running, no one sees full behind the scenes.

They are trying the best they can, it's not just a job to them it's their world their passion and the Riding School horses are their babies they are their family.

17/02/2024

⚠️ Currently the canal bridge/junction to Moulton Drive is closed due to an accident. Not sure how long this will be closed but again an alternative route is suggested and set off earlier ❗️

16/02/2024

⚠️ If you need to drive through Bradford-on-Avon to get to us this weekend - please allow extra time in case you are held up.

Please be aware, that Wessex Water starts urgent work today to repair leaks – which requires road closures.

The work will impact the B3107 (Silver Street) from its junction with Market Street to where it meets Coppice Hill.

Wessex Water began work at 9am on Friday 16 February – and it is likely to last for 3 full days.

For more information, please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600

13/02/2024

‼️ FOR YOUR ATTENTION ‼️

12/02/2024

Ponies for clear round 😀

05/02/2024

March dates have been loaded
Zoe will be back with us from Saturday 2nd March he lessons are booking up fast so book early to avoid disappointment

23/01/2024

We have added a pony morning on Friday 16th February it will be under activity’s on your ecpro account
Limited spaces

23/01/2024

‼️Attention‼️
please note the date of the clear round jumping has changed to Wednesday 14th starting at 1pm all bookings have been moved and I should hopefully be able to open up a few more slots

19/01/2024

We have also put in a jump lesson with Emma on the 14th feb

19/01/2024

Clear round has been added on the 16th February
These book fast so be quick to get those bookings in

02/01/2024

We are very happy to be able to say that Zoe is returning in March to teach some hours for us.

She will be with us on a Wednesday 3.30 - 6pm and a Sunday 10am - 5pm. Yes the 3pm Sun group will be running again 😃

If you want to get a lesson with her, remember the March lessons are loaded during the first week of February. As we anticipate a high take up for these you will need to be quick!!!