Contessa Riding Centre LLP

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, Pik 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 Pik 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.

Times for Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 1st Feb & 8th March. on Saturday. Please confirm ...
28/01/2025

Times for Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 1st Feb & 8th March. on Saturday. Please confirm that u have seen ur time by making a comment. Thanks

Looking forward to hosting this demo, book tickets via Equus with Millie - Behaviour and Psychologist ASAP to avoid disa...
22/01/2025

Looking forward to hosting this demo, book tickets via Equus with Millie - Behaviour and Psychologist ASAP to avoid disappointment if it’s a sell out!

⭐️EXCITING NEWS!! LOADING DEMO⭐️

On Sunday 9th March from 1pm-3pm I will be hosting a loading demo at Contessa Riding Centre LLP, SG11 1EN with the one and only Murphy 🤩 loading problems are one of the most common behavioural issues I go to and I'm so excited to be able to share this with you all.

In this two-hour Demo, you'll learn:

✔️ Equine learning theory

✔️ How to introduce clicker training effectively.

✔️ When and how to reward your horse’s behavior for lasting results.

✔️ How to spot and address early stress signals to prevent unwanted behaviors like rearing, bolting, or planting and when this could also be linked to a pain response.

✔️ How to break down your loading into simple steps and eventually teaching your horse to self load even away from home.

✔️ at the end of the Demo, you'll be able to meet Murphy and ask any behavioural questions you might have alongside some cake. 😋

Tickets are £15 each, to book please WhatsApp 07732336745 or send me over a direct message.

Another group of photos this time from the John Adams clinic yesterday, John was definitely on form and everyone improve...
15/01/2025

Another group of photos this time from the John Adams clinic yesterday, John was definitely on form and everyone improved throughout the sessions. The next clinic is on 11th Feb, please pm me to book.
If the riders would like to see their pics please pm me and I will send them over. Thanks.

12/01/2025

Saturday 1st February will be our afternoon at Contessa. We’ll have sessions for poles, small gymnastic exercises, and for more challenging jumping tasks. Come join the work and play! Book via .layton1 at Contessa.

12/01/2025
What a start to 2025 with a super, if not a little cold clinic with Petros theequestrian.co.uk, great riders and horses ...
12/01/2025

What a start to 2025 with a super, if not a little cold clinic with Petros theequestrian.co.uk, great riders and horses all doing a great job.
Petros is next with us on 1st Feb, get your booking in soon as we are nearly half way through Jan already!!
If the riders would like to see their photos please pm me and I will send them over.
Thanks Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 1st Feb & 8th March. see you in February for more jumping fun.

Times for John on Tuesday, please comment to show me that you have seen your time. Thanks Tina
11/01/2025

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

We have Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 11th Jan, 1st Feb & 8th March. clinic tomorrow and ...
10/01/2025

We have Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 11th Jan, 1st Feb & 8th March. clinic tomorrow and unfortunately one of the riders in the 1.45pm session can’t make it. Is there anyone that would like to take her space (jumping approx 80)…….you could get to ride indoors when your school might be frozen, sound like a good idea?
Please pm me if you are interested, thanks Tina Layton

Bookings now open for this clinic with Petros theequestrian.co.uk.
09/01/2025

Bookings now open for this clinic with Petros theequestrian.co.uk.

Saturday 1st February will be our afternoon at Contessa. We’ll have sessions for poles, small gymnastic exercises, and for more challenging jumping tasks. Come join the work and play! Book via .layton1 at Contessa.

Times for Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 11th Jan, 1st Feb & 8th March. on Saturday. Please...
07/01/2025

Times for Petros, from Poles to Gymnastic jumping & the bigger stuff! 11th Jan, 1st Feb & 8th March. on Saturday. Please comment to confirm you have seen your time. Thanks

We have got a very exciting day coming up at Contessa Riding Centre LLPon Sunday 19th January with both All Steps Format...
06/01/2025

We have got a very exciting day coming up at Contessa Riding Centre LLPon Sunday 19th January with both All Steps Formation Riding and Working Equitation sessions with Suzanne Dipple

We will have All Steps Formation riding in the morning 9.30am to 10.30am

And then Working Equitation Sessions will start from 11am onwards.

You can do either the ASF riding or the Working Equitation or alternatively we are offering a deal to do both disciplines with a stable for your horse to relax in between sessions included in the price.

All Steps Formation riding 1 hour session (up to 8 riders per session) = £27

Working Equitation private 45 min session = £60

Working Equitation pairs 1 hour session = £40 per rider

Package deals:

Option 1 = £90
All steps formation riding 1 hour session
Working Equitation private 45 min session
Stable at Contessa for the day

Option 2 = £70 per rider
All steps formation riding 1 hour session
Working Equitation pairs 1 hour session
Stable at Contessa for the day

Please message Suzanne Dipple Working Equitation and Dressage Training direct to book in 👍🏻

Village Life magazine, our Contessa Riding Centre LLP write up. If anyone would like a copy I can get you one at £1.25 e...
04/01/2025

Village Life magazine, our Contessa Riding Centre LLP write up. If anyone would like a copy I can get you one at £1.25 each. Thanks Gordon Imroth for a super edition to start 2025.

Had a sneaky visit to The Stables at Heathers Farm last Monday for a little clinic. Great to see Katie Gilmour and the f...
04/01/2025

Had a sneaky visit to The Stables at Heathers Farm last Monday for a little clinic. Great to see Katie Gilmour and the family of 2 & 4 legs all doing rather well!

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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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.