trotters
Welcome to trotters riding school and livery yard!
latest news
Hi everybody !
We are back to a regular timetable offering after school flexible lessons, hacks, advanced lessons with Robert, private and adult lessons too!
Please see our event schedule for upcoming activities !
Ever thought about a career in horses ? We are excited to be offering apprenticeship places ! Please contact us for further information !
about trotters
Trotters was established in 1970 as a horse riding school and livery yard. It is a small and quiet yard based on the outskirts of Ryde on the Isle of Wight. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside offering many downland hacks and beach riding.
We are licenced by the Isle of Wight Council (Ref LIC/20/00948/RIDEST) and are fully insured.
We are able to offer a fully personalized service and cater for all ages and abilities.
We can offer horse riding lessons, hacks, beach rides, pony days, camps and other horse activities and experiences.
We have 17 boxes, a large floodlit outdoor school and 16 acres of grazing land
about me
Hi ! I'm Sally and I am BHS qualified and have been riding since 1979 and teaching since 2000.
I am a complete self confessed horse head and absolutely love what I do !
I have done quite a bit in my 40 years and worked on various yards gaining a wealth of experience.
We are a family based riding school and we love to pass knowledge on and see our riders grow.
We look forward to meeting you !
riding lessons
Trotters riding school is dedicated to providing a high standard of horse riding instruction for adults and children,
We welcome children and adults to the horse riding lessons catering for the complete beginner to the more advanced rider.
New riders will be assessed on ability and grouped in the appropriate lessons where they can develop their confidence, riding skills and friendship groups.
The lessons are progressive and fun based whilst at all times remaining as safe as possible.
For intermediate riders and above we mix the lessons between flat work and jumping.
Carefully selected and well schooled horses and ponies are provided for the lessons. Meet the ponies below !
hacks out
Ideally situated on the outskirts of Ryde, Trotters riding school has miles of nearby off road hacking. Many of our hacks include forest, woods and bridleways.
Our ethos at trotters is to help riders develop confidence in the school, out on the roads and in open spaces.
Hacks are tailored to the ability of the rider.
For the complete novice rider, the hacks would be led by somebody on foot and would be mainly walk with a little bit of trot. We would ride through the beautiful rosemary vineyard.
Intermediate hacks would normally include walk, trot and small bursts of canter around the common situated in the Haylands part of Ryde.
Advanced hacks can venture further afield to Brading Downs taking in the stunning surrounding countryside.
beach rides
Its only a short walk / trot to Ryde beach which has long stretches of sand - perfect for your beach ride experience!
We organise our beach rides according to the tide times so these are usually planned a week in advance. To provide the best possible experience our beach rides last 90 minutes and are suitable for experienced riders only.
prices
Lessons / Hacks / Beach Rides
1 hour riding lesson / hack (group of 6 or more) : £25
45 minute semi private (group of 2) lesson : £25 (available term times Monday . Tuesday, Thursday 1 or 2 pm)
45 minute private lesson : £30
2 hour group hack (downs) : £35
90 minute group beach ride : £30
(for advanced riders only)
Pony Days
£35 per child for 4 hours (packed lunch needed)
Pony Parties
£25 per child for 2 hours (minimum of 6 children).
* Please note there is a 12 stone weight limit.
pony days
Pony days are a great way to introduce yourselves to the ponies in a fun and relaxed environment. You will have the opportunity to ride, make friends and learn some stable management skills.
Pony days for novices run every Tuesday during school holidays and Thursdays for the more advanced.
Saturday kids club
We welcome our regular riders on a Saturday morning to help out with general yard duties and to gain valuable experience under our guidance. Children will work towards their Trotters' badges and certificates in stable management during these morning sessions.
The club runs from 9 am - 12 pm and costs £5 per hour. All children must be 8 years old and over.
Essential skills include: Tacking up, tacking up some more. bit of mucking out and, of course, making the tea and immersing themselves in a busy and fun yard!
pony parties
Pony parties are a great experience for a birthday party or a special treat !
Children can expect to ride for one hour - with those that are less experienced being led. Hats are provided.
Parties include participating in fun based stable management activities including grooming. picking out feet and bathing during the summer months
The lounge area can be made available for party food which you are welcome to bring.
horses / ponies for sale
We normally have horses / ponies for sale. We enjoy buying them unbroken and bringing them on and turning them into good safe all rounders for families to enjoy.
Please see our horses for sale page to view them and for further information
horses / ponies for loan
Occasionally loan horses come up for full or part loan from the livery yard. This can be an excellent introduction into horse ownership without the full financial commitment
We do not currently have any horses available.
livery
Trotters livery yard has spaces for diy / part / full livery.
We offer competitive livery packages on the Isle of Wight which start from £30 per week.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
new horse owner support
I can be on hand to guide you through the stages of buying your first / new horse or pony.
With years of experience, I can help you avoid the pitfalls and find your for ever friend. With competitive livery packages on offer, it really can be a great experience for the whole family.
meet the ponies
Barney is a real gentleman. He is very comfortable to ride and has a lovely balanced canter. Barney didn't start out in life as the natural riding school pony as he used to be a little bit naughty!
Now he has found his vocation! He thrives on work and being surrounded by his horse friends!
Barney likes to go at the back of the ride and is ideal for a low intermediate rider who is just starting to have their first canter out on a hack.
Beans is our smallest member of the team but she is mighty! She’s bit of a girl and certainly knows how to assert herself when it comes to her pony friends! She’s fantastic in the school as she’s so small and well behaved.. a perfect introduction for and new little people who might be feeling a bit nervous about their first ride. She loves hacking alongside her best friend and fellow shetland, Ross. She’s a relatively new team member having only been in the school since March. She came unbroken as one of Jayjay’s to sell on but after seeing how easy and straightforward she was to start we just had to have her for this job!
Brambles is another favourite and a superb all round pony, have done a bit of everything she loves hacking and jumping and looks after everyone who rides her.
Brambles is a complete schoolmaster who has show jumped all around the UK. She has successfully competed at dressage competitions and has whipped in for two seasons with the Isle of Wight bloodhounds. A firm family favourite who looked after my pony mad girls. She enjoys a two hour gallop in the open as a special treat.
Charm was named Charm for a reason - fantastic in every way and super easy to ride !
Monkey is our most challenging pony and aptly named. As the saying goes when you can ride monkey you are really starting to learn! Once you have got to grips with her you'll bond forever! She is nice and forward and normally wins all the Gymkhana games and the beach races.
Olive is our newest member of the team. She is super sweet and loves doing a bit of everything, although she hates being clipped (aka having her hair cut!).
Ross is a very cute little black Shetland, he’s such a good boy and an absolute dude. He loves teaching all the children in the riding school😃 though he can be a little cheeky at times.. and likes to occasionally try to bite our leaders!! Hacking out is his favourite.. he is so so good and reliable and brave as a lion with any traffic! When he’s not working he loves to chill out in the field with all his friends.. especially our other shetland, Beans. It was love at first sight for Ross when he first met Beans. She wasn’t so keen but he’s winning her over now.. they love grooming and sharing hay in the field together! They also work as a pair together taking our vineyard rides out.. soo cute
Tommy is a perfect boy. He’s one of the most quiet and patient horses we’ve had. He is very versatile in the school. He’s an old schoolmaster who very much knows what he’s doing so he’s great at doing more technical things with our more advanced riders! Then he’s also so calm and kind he can be used for pony rides with some of our youngest riders.. he’s taken children as young as 2yrs old on our pony ride days in school holidays!! He is great to hack and absolutely loves a canter along the beach. When he’s not working he likes to chill in the field with all his friends. However, when it comes to food and the pecking order he is no fool, he is a boss and always up the front with his nose in the hay!
Bessie is a real cutie and just loves being pampered. Her favourite time of the year is during the school holiday when the team put on Pony Days. She has one of the sweetest natures and therefore makes a great all-rounder who is suitable for all ages and abilities. Comfortable to ride and she also has impeccable stable manners which makes her a delight to be around. Our kids just love her.
new rider section
What can you expect from your first riding lesson?
The instructor will show you the basics while you're standing still, such as how to hold the reins. After that, you'll practice asking the horse to walk, turn and stop gently and effectively. You'll learn how to use your legs and hands to direct the horse softly at a slow pace. All new riders must complete a rider registration form.
Is there is weight limit?
Yes. 12 stone.
What to wear?
Best to wear long trousers to prevent chaffing from the saddle. Boots / wellies will work best with a small heel to prevent feet from slipping out of the stirrups. Riding hats are provided
contact
How to contact Trotters Riding School Isle of Wight
We look forward to welcoming you to Trotters Riding School - if you have questions or comments about any of the services or facilities we provide you can contact us in the following ways...
Sally Rand
Trotters Riding School & Livery Yard
Ashey Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 2XF, England
Tel : 07501094087 Email : sallyrand1973@icloud.com
SALLY RAND B.H.S.A.I
Trotters, Ashey Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 2XF
Tel : 07501094087 Email : sallyrand1973@icloud.com