Adult Riding Lessons - Bournevale Stables

Q: I rode as a child but it's been years. Where do I start?

Same place: a private lesson. It's a relaxed way for an instructor to see where your riding is now and pick up from there. Most returners are surprised by how quickly the basics come back.

Adult Riding Lessons at Bourne Vale Stables

We’ve been teaching adults to ride for more than sixty years.

Some of our adult riders are complete beginners who have always wanted to try. Some rode as children and have been meaning to come back to it for years. Others simply decide that now is the right time to do something for themselves.

Adults come to us in their twenties, their eighties, and every decade in between. There is no right age to start, and no need to have ridden before.

People often arrive wanting to learn to ride. Many find they get rather more from it than that.

Your first lesson at Bourne Vale

Every adult starts with a private lesson.

That applies whether you’re a complete beginner or coming back to riding after a long break. Your first lesson gives us time to understand your riding, your confidence, and what you’d like to get from your lessons.

If you’ve ridden before, your instructor will use the lesson to see where you are now. They’ll look at your balance, position, control, and how comfortable you are in walk, trot and, where appropriate, canter.

This isn’t about passing or failing. It just helps us place you in the right lesson, with the right horse, at the right pace.

We’ll also talk to you about what brought you to Bourne Vale, what you’re hoping for, and any questions or nerves you have before you start.

For complete beginners, the first lesson is about getting settled, introducing the basics, and making sure your first time on a horse is fun and enjoyable.

Private riding lessons for adults

30-minute one-to-one lesson · From £55 on weekdays, from £61 at weekends

Private lessons are how every adult begins with us. They give your instructor time to see where your riding is, understand what your goals are, and build a plan that suits your confidence and experience.

Many adults then choose to continue with private lessons because they value the individual coaching and the flexibility. Others use private lessons as a route into one of our adult group classes once they’re ready.

The pace is yours. Confidence and technique build together. Some riders make quick early progress and then spend time refining the details. Others build steadily over several months. Both are normal and absolutely fine.

For complete beginners, early lessons usually focus on balance, position, steering, stopping, and becoming established in rising trot. From there, riders gradually begin canter work and simple school movements.

For returning riders, the early lessons are often about coaxing back the feel and muscle memory that’s still there, then building new confidence and skill on top. Many returners are surprised by how quickly the basics come back.

Moving into group lessons

Once you’re riding confidently in rising trot, starting canter, and managing simple movements, you’re at what we call Novice level. At that point you have three options.

Stay in private lessons. The right call if you really enjoy and value the one-to-one coaching or need the flexibility to book around your diary.
Join the Novice Adult group lesson. An hour on Sundays, riding alongside other adults at a similar stage.
Do both. A popular choice. Private lessons for focused progress, group lessons for the variety, confidence and the company.

We’ll talk this through with you when you’re getting close to that stage.

Novice Adult Group Lesson

1-hour group lesson · Sundays at 4pm, £53.50 per lesson

For adults who’ve reached Novice level and want to ride with others at a similar stage. The class works on canter confidence, simple movements, balance, control and the skills that will develop you into an established rider.

Many adults find this part of their riding especially rewarding. Partly because of the step up in confidence, and partly because riding week after week with the same group very often turns into real and lasting friendships.

Adult Group Lesson

1-hour group lesson · Fridays at 3pm · £53.50 per lesson

For adults approaching intermediate level. Riders are usually established in walk, trot and canter, working without stirrups, starting polework and beginning small fences. The class develops jumping confidence, lateral work, balance, accuracy and the knack of riding different horses well.

When adult lessons run

Adult Group runs on Fridays at 3pm. Pre-booking is essential.

Novice Adult runs on Sundays at 4pm. Pre-booking is essential.

Private lessons are arranged through the office. They run on weekdays between 9am and 5pm, and at weekends. Availability varies, so the office will suggest suitable times around your week and our coaches’ diaries.

More than just riding

Adults often come to us wanting to learn to ride. What surprises many is how much else they get out of it.

Time with horses gives people a real break from work, family pressures and digital distractions. The lessons build routine and confidence, and the company is often the unexpected bit. Group regulars get to know each other, ride together week after week, and friendships build on the back of shared progress.

Our adult clinics in dressage, show jumping and stable management bring riders together around something they all want to get better at. Every year we hold a summer social, which our community of riders really looks forward to.

Prices

Adult group lessons: £53.50 per lesson. This applies to both the Adult Group and Novice Adult Group lessons.

Adult private lessons: From £55 per 30-minute lesson on weekdays, and from £61 at weekends. Weekday private lessons usually run Wednesday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. Exact prices depend on the BHS coaching level of the instructor and on whether the lesson is solo or shared. The full price table is on the Riding Lessons page.

Pre-booking for both group lessons and private lessons is essential.

Pay-as-you-go or membership

There are two ways to ride with us.

Pay-as-you-go is the flexible option. You book and pay for each lesson as you take it. Most adults start this way, and some happily continue this way.

Our Membership Programme is for riders who want riding to be part of their weekly routine. Members get a reserved space in their class and other benefits that come with riding regularly.

Book your first lesson at Bourne Vale Stables

To book your first lesson, or to ask us anything before you decide, call the office on 0121 353 7174 or get in touch through our contact page.

The office is open 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

We look forward to meeting you, and to seeing where your riding takes you.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve never ridden before. Is that a problem?

No. Plenty of our adult riders started exactly where you are. Adult beginners always start with a private lesson, so you’re never put into a group and expected to keep up. We work at your pace.

I rode as a child but it’s been years. Where do I start?

You start with a private lesson. It’s a relaxed way for an instructor to see where your riding is now and pick up from there. Most returners are surprised by how quickly the basics come back.

Am I too old to start riding?

No. We’ve taught adults beginning in their forties, fifties and sixties, and people who first sat on a horse in their eighties. Age isn’t the barrier people fear it is.

What’s the difference between Novice Adult and Adult Group?

Both are hour-long weekly group classes at £53.50. Novice Adult is for riders working confidently in rising trot and starting canter. Adult Group is for riders approaching intermediate level, with established canter, work without stirrups, and the beginnings of jumping. Most adults start in private lessons, move into Novice Adult when ready, and may later move into Adult Group as their riding develops.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. Our weight limit for all riders is 12 stones (77kg). It’s set for the welfare of the horses and follows industry guidance. If you’re close to or above that, call the office and we’ll talk through your options.

How much do adult lessons cost?

Group classes are £53.50 per lesson. Private lessons start at £55 on weekdays and £61 at weekends. Exact pricing depends on the BHS coaching level of the instructor and on whether the lesson is solo or shared. The full price table is on the Riding Lessons page.

How do I pay, and what are the booking terms?

Lessons are booked at least a week ahead and paid for in full at the time of booking. We take payment in person by cash or card, or over the phone. We operate a 24-hour cancellation policy. With that much notice we can move your payment to another date. Inside that window we can’t refund or transfer the lesson, because the horse and instructor are already committed to your slot.

What should I wear?

Long trousers that fit close to the leg (jeans are fine), sturdy shoes or boots with a small heel (no trainers), and a t-shirt or jumper with sleeves rather than a vest. Long hair tied back. No jewellery. We hire out riding hats at £1.50 if you don’t have your own.

I ride at another centre. Can I try Bourne Vale?

Yes. The process is the same as for any adult with previous experience. We start with a private lesson so the instructor can see where your riding is, and recommend the right next step from there.

How do I book?

Call the office on 0121 353 7174 or use our contact page. The office is open 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.