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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 8pm Wednesday 8am - 8pm Thursday 8am - 8pm Friday 8am - 8pm Saturday 8am - 5pm Sunday 8am - 5pm

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Contessa Riding Centre LLP

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Contessa Riding Centre LLP

Contessa offers clinics, hire of arenas & and Dressage training with Tina Layton, FABRS, BHSI. I have decided it’s time to hang up my boots after 45 years.
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💜💜💜 The end of an era.💜💜💜
It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that Contessa Riding Centre will be closing its doors from the 31st of March 2022. I know many of you will be shocked and saddened by this news. We have had many fulfilling and successful years and achieved a great deal in the equestrian world over this time, from starting with only one horse in the very early days! The las

t 18 months have been very challenging what with the Coronavirus, our downsizing and all the lockdowns we’ve had to deal with. But…..2021 has been a successful year for us as we won the Best Small Riding School in the UK that was sponsored by SEIB and with myself being awarded a Fellowship from the Association of British Riding Schools, also individuals having completed and won various dressage and vaulting competitions but as they say “all good things must come to an end”. At this point I would like to say a huge thank you to all staff past and present and all our wonderful friends, clients and students that have supported us over such a long period. And of course a huge debt to the wonderful horses that have been part of the Contessa Team, and special tributes must be made to Tessa, P*k Dame, Queijada, Buster, Lanzo, Quartz, Rendezvous, Worth-While, Apollo, Buna, Marietta and family, Palamos, Marcus, Deskant, Unico, Riacho, Xairel and many more, too many to mention but all valued members of the team. It has been wonderful to remember clients that came as children to ride Tessa (and others) now come back with their children and even grandchildren, I like to think that we have given many people the opportunity to start their Equestrian journey with us. This has been a very hard decision to make and has not been taken lightly as I’m sure you will all understand. The Vaulting Club will continue under the Contessa name, with Jamie Pinto. I will continue my freelancing and teaching clients on their own horses at Contessa. And we may continue running some of our clinics and hiring the facilities. So once again a huge thank you to everybody that’s been part of the Contessa family over so many years. Best wishes from Tina, Paul and Zak plus all of your four-legged friends. 🦄🐴🦄🐴🦄🐴

Tina Layton-Elliott FABRS, BHSI has competed to Grand Prix level and ridden internationally on her mare P*k Dame who she trained from a three year old to Grand Prix. She has always worked to a classical method of training that she works to instil in all her Instructors and students. The philosophy at Contessa is to strive to create harmony between horse and rider and to work as a partnership with the horse. As an Instructor and trainer, Tina has coached a huge number of riders, encouraging them all to work with their horse to achieve harmony and balance in the classical method. She has trained a great many students through their riding and teaching exams to the highest levels, including the dressage section of the BHS Fellowship. She was previously a BHS examiner, and currently examines for the ABRS to their ATD Exam - the top exam that they offer. Tina is also a UKCC level 3 Tutor in Sport, NVQ A1 assessor and was a BHS Riding and Road Safety trainer/ examiner. Tina has been training with Arthur Kottas, former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, for over 20 Years.

07/11/2024

Times for John’s clinic on Tuesday, please comment to confirm you have seen your time. Thanks

07/11/2024

The wonderful colours at Contessa Riding Centre LLP.

29/10/2024

So we have returned from our visit to Il Paretaio with Pietro De Marchi, Schofield, Giovanni De Marchi & Cristina Libardi De Marchi. We all had a great time and want to thank the whole team at Il Paretaio for making us all feel so welcome (I know what hard work goes on behind the scenes to make everything perfect for everyone) I am sure Lesley Pritchard, Nicky Foy, Chamberlain & Ravalec would join me in saying a huge Thank You.
I will be arranging another trip in possibly April 2025 if you fancy a classical riding holiday! Tina Layton

29/10/2024

Our Life magazine has once again a feature on Contessa Riding Centre LLP, to show what we have been up to in the last few months. Copies of the magazine are available for purchase at £1.25 and I have some if you are interested in getting a copy. Tina Layton

24/10/2024

The week continues at Il Paretaio with Pietro De Marchi and Schofield who have been giving fantastic riding sessions. All my clients have enjoyed them and am sure have learnt a lot. The food has been scrumptious but the weather not quite so good!! Thank you Cristina Libardi De Marchi for your wonderful hospitality. I will be organising visits to Il Paretaio next year if anyone is interested please contact me for further details.

23/10/2024

Another type of training on offer at Contessa Riding Centre LLP though a hiring of the venue.

✨Side Saddle Riding Clinic✨

LAST FEW SPACES REMAINING

Date: Sunday 24th November 2024
Location: Contessa Riding Centre, Ware, Hertfordshire SG11 1EN
Times: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Have you ever wanted to try riding side saddle? Now is your chance!

Side saddle lessons will be available on your own horse to include 1 hour of instruction Rachael Forkings Side Saddle Instructoructor, saddle hire and arena hire.

These lessons are suitable for all levels of side saddle riders, from those who have never ridden aside before, through to established riders wanting to perfect their position! Ponies and horse can be catered for, but information on your horse and it’s saddle is needed for the side saddle hire in advance.

**Please note riding hats up to current standards, boots and suitable attire must be worn**

Rachael is a a fully qualified, and insured side saddle instructor, competing at national level. She has won many side saddle titles including Royal Welsh show 2023 & 2024, Royal Windsor Horse show 2023 , Royal Three Counties and working hunter, including many Supreme Championships throughout the country. She also regularly hunts and jumps side saddle and you can often see her popping hedges too!

Lessons on an equine simulator are also available on Saturday 23rd November - please contact me for more information.

Contact Issi Hinton on Facebook or WhatsApp for more details- 07446400437. Messages on posts may not be followed.

16/10/2024

I have always said that John Adams is The Master of Show Jumping and he certainly proved it yesterday, he went from teaching 1.20 to 30cm and just took it all in his very calm stride......thanks John you really were spot on!!!
He is next at Contessa Riding Centre LLP on 12th Nov, please pm me to book. If the riders would like to see all their photos please just ask. Thanks Tina

12/10/2024

Unfortunately Suzanne can’t attend this clinic, is there anyone that would like to take her place. See times below (two slots available). Please pm me if you are interested, thanks Tina Layton

Times for John on Tuesday, please comment to confirm that you have seen your time. Thanks

11/10/2024

Times for John on Tuesday, please comment to confirm that you have seen your time. Thanks

09/10/2024

So nearly 400 photos edited........here is a selection from our clinics held on Sunday at Contessa Riding Centre LLP with Suzanne Dipple from ASF riding in the morning to Working Equitation in the afternoon. Everyone seemed to have a great time and all wanted to know when the next date would be! Watch this space for that.
If the riders would like to see their photos please pm me and I will send them over, they are all for sale in digital format. Thanks, Tina Layton

07/10/2024

Petros, from polework to the big jumping stuff! 5/10, 30/11 & 14/12/24
Photos from Saturday's clinic, thanks Petros for a great afternoon. If any of the riders would like to see all their photos please pm me and I will send them over.
Petros is next with us on 30th Nov, bookings are open now.

07/10/2024

Just a little glance as to what has been happening at Contessa Riding Centre LLP over this very busy last weekend.
More photos to follow but lots of editing to do as took so many! So watch this space……..

01/10/2024

Times for Petros, from polework to the big jumping stuff! 5/10, 30/11 & 14/12/24 on Saturday. Please comment to show you have seen your time.
With weather like we are having at the mo I am soooo glad we have an indoor arena!!

01/10/2024

Just got back from my Sussex clinic, horses & riders all had done their homework, well done all and thanks to Katie Gilmour for organising & the hospitality, super. Xx

26/09/2024

Come & have a go!

Upcoming clinic dates for October:

🐂 Sunday 6th October - Contessa Riding Centre - All Steps Formation 10am, Working Equitation from 12pm onwards. Space available on the ASF, link to book below:

https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=482670

🐂 Saturday 12th October - Greengate Stables (Barnet) - Working Equitation clinic - couple spaces left

🐂 Saturday 19th October - Beechwood EC - All Steps Formation - 2pm full, 3pm - 3 slots left, 4pm available:

https://livefeed.myridinglife.com/feed?e=483344&SecretaryID=555335

🐂 Tuesday 29th October - Beechwood - afternoon have-a-go Working Equitation fun competition (not part of the winter league series) - link to book available soon.

🐂 Saturday 2nd November - Beechwood - All Steps Formation 9-11am, Working Equitation 11.30am onwards - open for bookings

Address

Willow Tree Farm, Colliers End
Ware
SG111EN

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 8pm
Thursday	8am - 8pm
Friday	8am - 8pm
Saturday	8am - 5pm
Sunday	8am - 5pm

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Videos

Someone having a good time, happy Bank Holiday everyone. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Wanda Bendisch improving her straightness in the changes with the wonderful Riacho! Well done Wanda 🦄🦄🦄

An amazing day for Jamie Pinto yesterday as she rode her first line of 5 flying changes on Unico. And an amazing day today for Hazel Kitch as she rode her first line of temi’s, getting down to two times on Riacho……well done to the pair of you as doing that takes some very good riding. Unfortunately, no video of Hazel Kitch but there is some of Jamie Pinto.

Dressage Schoolmaster Unico showed us his two time changes today with Wanda....good work.

Important dates for your diaries of clinics and visits at Contessa 2020 John Adams- Show Jumping, 3rd April. Petros- Arena Eventing, 13th March, SUNDAY 3rd May John Bowen- Dressage, 14th April and 9th June Arthur Kottas- Dressage, 1st-2nd July. (BHS CPD) Tina Layton- Dressage, 23rd April Dawn Elliott- Moulden- Flat Work, Sunday 5th April Amy Panter- Vaulting, TBA Please see our website or FB posts for further details on the above.

Table tennis, horses, fun and lots more......

Always lovely to see our young riders progressing. Here is Anna riding one of our Advanced Dressage Schoolmasters Xairel with Leila Khaldi coaching. She did a great job on a lovely stallion.

🎂🎂🍾🍾💐💐Happy 18th Birthday Blossom From all your friends at Contessa xx🎂🎂🍾🍾💐💐

Important dates for your diaries of clinics and visits at Contessa 2019 /20 John Adams- Show Jumping, 27th December. Petros- Arena Eventing- 6th December, 17th January 20 John Bowen- Dressage, 10th December Arthur Kottas- Dressage, March 2020 DTBA. (BHS CPD) Tina Layton- Dressage, 27th November, December TBC Dawn Elliott- Moulden- Flat Work, 29th December Amy Panter- Vaulting, 14th December Please see our website or fb posts for further details on the above.

Happy Christmas to everyone from your Contessa Team that were working today!! But we did have a party as well so not all work!. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🦄🦄🐴🐴🐴🐴🦄🦄🦄🦄🎄🎄🎄🎄Tina, Wanda, Georgie, Alice and Betty plus all our four legged friends. Thanks Mrs Layton for opening up your house to us and also lovely to have Elizabeth and Zak joining us. ###x

In typical Unico style he didn’t want to be left out so he pranced in the paddock and had a gallop round the fields with Emma. 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

As promised our Summer Show write up and results. Sunday 5th August marked our annual Summer Fun Show at Contessa Riding Centre. The sun shone down on gleaming coats, silky tails and sparkly brow bands. All horses and competitors were impeccably turned out despite the high temperatures. The mature greenery and gardens of Contessa offered a shady spot for horse and rider as they waited between classes. Serena Parkhouse was judging in Ring 1 > giving the handlers great feedback about their horses. We congratulate > Octavia Abbott who came 1st in the “Young Stock” Class with Baldric. > Followed by J. Caitlin who came 2nd with Beau. 3rd was Mo Prior with > Plumbton Kingsmoor Lady. > > The “Ridden Cobs” class was won by Sarah L. on Milly Lilly. 2nd was > Hazel K on Rhona. 3rd was Lucy Smith on Crystal. The popular “Best Condition” > class was won by Lucy White and her Blade Trinity. Rose Sullivan came > 2nd with Rhona. Followed by Octavia Abbott who came 3rd with Baldric. > The “Coloured in Hand” class was won by Lucy Turner with Contessa’a Merlin, Sarah L. > came 2nd with Miss Tilly, 3rd was Kimberley Gaving with Zebedee. > “Ridden Mountain & Moorland” was won by Tapidy Callow on Little Count > lead Ginger. 2nd was Holly Hall on Trownwell Sahara Storm. 3rd came > Sophie Lave on Milo. Octavia Abbott came 1st with Baldric in “Heavy > horses/Driving types in hand”. Grace Austin on Conetssa’a Millie came 1st in the > “Fancy Dress”class, which was judged by artist Laura Jeanne Smith. Mo > Prior came 2nd with Southwood Sylvestor. 3rd was Jeff Wright with > Walter. Sarah L. came 1st with Miss Tilly and Ellie E. came 2nd with > Charlie in “Ridden Coloureds/odd coloureds”. “Foreign Breeds in hand” > was won by Lesley Pritchard and Giuto. Lucy Turner with Contessa’s Merlin came 2nd and > Jeff Wright was 3rd with Walter. Many riders also tried their luck > jumping a clear round and Sophia Lanisek came 1st in the Novice > Jumping with Contessa’s Missed a bit. > > We Thank Lynsey

Three lucky students had a go at some In Hand work and the opportunity to sit on the Advanced horses to try out Piaffe and Passage, they all did really well and throughly enjoyed the session. Tina.

We hosted a BHS Stages Training Day last Thursday. The day was a great success and the students were given the opportunity to ride our super horses and have a great care training session with Mandy Luesley. In the afternoon we treated them to a GP demo with Emma Salater on Riacho and then they got the amazing opportunity to have a sit on some of our Advanced Dressage Schoolmasters and feel, Piaffe, Passage, Spanish Walk and all the lateral movements. Their smiles said it all!! From BHS Regional Manager Janet Holmes, Thanks to the team at Contessa who yesterday put on a super Stage Three Training Day, funded by the BHS East Region, seven lucky ladies enjoyed a great day and even got to sit on some advanced horses and try some advanced lateral moves......super yard, super horses and super people.......

Our usual Christmas Eve staff ride couldn’t happen this Christmas so we had it today. Photos are a bit blurred due to the speed and the ponies were going, everyone had fun and I haven’t laughed so much in ages!!! Tina 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Snow, snow and more snow. Mares having fun in the snow this morning.

Well done Jeff, not many of your younger members can do this!

As many of you will know, we are holding a two day Dressage Boot Camp this Friday and Saturday. We will be having a short lecture/demo on how the Warmblood versus the Luso at 5.15pm on Friday, followed by drink and nibbles (BYO) if anybody that is not able to attend the camp but would like to join us for the evening, you would be most welcome at £5 per head. Please let me know on here if you would like to come along, if only for the wine!!

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Our Story

Tina Layton-Elliott BHSI has competed to Grand Prix level and ridden internationally on her mare P*k Dame who she trained from a three year old to Grand Prix. She has always worked to a classical method of training that she works to instil in all her Instructors and students. The philosophy at Contessa is to strive to create harmony between horse and rider and to work as a partnership with the horse. As an Instructor and trainer, Tina has coached a huge number of riders, encouraging them all to work with their horse to achieve harmony and balance in the classical method. She has trained a great many students through their riding and teaching exams to the highest levels, including the dressage section of the BHS Fellowship. She was previously a BHS examiner, and currently examines for the ABRS to their ATD Exam - the top exam that they offer. Tina is also a UKCC level 3 Tutor in Sport, NVQ A1 assessor and a BHS Riding and Road Safety trainer and examiner. Tina has been training with Arthur Kottas, former First Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, for over 20 Years.