Riding
The Riding Club meets every Monday
and Wednesday and travels to the nearby Helmsley Riding School for a 1½ hour
ride out in the Duncombe Park Estate. All students will be matched to a
suitable horse for their ability – many of the horses become old favourites, but
from time to time there are new ones to try out. Beginners will be taken as a
separate group until they are confident enough with walk, trot and canter to
join the main ride. Staff and the Captain of Riding will be pleased to give
advice and tuition.
The stables
have been run by the Barker family for over two hundred years, as tenants on the
Duncombe Park estate, home to the Feversham family since 1695. There are around
1,700 acres of woodland and nearly 3,000 of parkland on the estate, providing an
endless variety of routes for riders and the opportunity to see plenty of
wildlife, including deer. Students will have views of Duncombe Park House, the
Ionic and Doric temples in the grounds, and the beautiful ruins of Rievaulx
Abbey. Confident riders may jump suitable obstacles, and on hot days we often
take the horses into the River Rye to paddle or swim.
The club holds an
annual dinner in May, to which all the stable staff are invited. At the dinner
the new Captain of Riding is announced. The Barker family also present the
Barker Trophy to a rider who is not the Captain of Riding, but who has
nevertheless made a significant contribution to the club.
Equipment
Students should wear a riding helmet, gloves (to prevent
blistering), hard-wearing trousers and a boot or shoe with a low heel (no
trainers). Helmets and riding boots are available to borrow from the club.
Cost
The cost of each ride is £27.50. This covers the hire of
horses, hire of equipment when necessary, tuition, supervision and transport.
Students may ride on a regular or occasional basis.
