Name: Jessica Tooze
My hotcourse: Horse riding
Institution: Ridgeway Stables, Wimbledon

Jessica tells us about her passion for horse riding, rediscovered through taking horse riding lessons.

Early on a sunny Saturday morning I am looking through my horse’s ears at the trail before me as it bends through the woods, dappled with shade from overhanging trees. All is quiet, with occasional bird song and the gentle thud of horses’ hooves adding to the peaceful lull.
 
You’d be forgiven for thinking this is the introduction to a travel piece, but in fact the woods in question are only a few miles out of central London and this ride has become a regular antidote to my working week. For an hour and a half every weekend I escape the commotion of city life and focus simply on the horse I’m riding and the scenery around me.

Riding in London
I have ridden for as long as I can remember but as I got older, horses inevitably fell down my list of priorities. During university, and afterwards when I first moved to London, I only rode once or twice a year and it didn’t occur to me that I could ride here. When I joined Hotcourses though, and realised the range of hobbies people were managing to continue or begin in London,  I decided to have a look around.

The opportunities for horse riding in the capital are more numerous than you might think. From the green surroundings of Lee Valley Regional Park in East London to the London Equestrian Centre in Finchley, you don’t need to head very far out of town to find a riding school. You can even ride in the centre of the capital along the famous ‘Rotten Row’ in Hyde Park.

I chose Ridgeway Stables, just off Wimbledon Common, which offers rides across the Common and on to Richmond Park. All new riders at the stables, both adults and children, go out on an initial individual ride with an instructor to assess their level and horse suitability. Once you feel confident, you can head out on an instructed ride with others, take a private lesson or simply relax on a hack.

Horse riding lessons for all
There are intensive lessons available where you can learn to ride in a day, find out how to take care of your horse in a stable management course, or brush up your skills in a one-day refresher course for those who are returning to riding after a break or wish to improve their fitness and equestrian skills before a horse riding holiday.

I usually opt for the long early-morning hack on Saturday or Sunday. For competent riders only, it’s a fast-paced ride across the common that really blows away the cobwebs of the week. Now that I have rediscovered my love of horse riding, it has made a real difference to my experience of living in London, and has become a hobby I couldn’t give up.