Take a ride through the Surrey countryside at these fantastic riding schools. Whether you're hoping to take the offical BHS riding exam, or simply wanting a casual ride in the beautiful Surrey Hills, look no further. In the following list we've compiled the very best riding experiences Surrey has to offer, ensuring you find the perfect school for your equestrian journey!
1. Chessington Equestrian Centre
- Location: Chessington, KT9 1NN
- Specialties: Group lessons, Adult beginner programs, Stable management courses
Situated just off the A3, Chessington Equestrian Centre is one of Surrey’s longest-running horse riding schools, popular for its structured riding programs for a variety of skill levels. The centre was established in 1988 and stands for the belief that riding should be easily accessible to everyone.
Chessington provides both private and group lessons, including flatwork, jumping, and hacking for adults and children from ages 7 and onwards. For adults new to riding, do not worry, as they also offer beginner-friendly group classes where you can learn alongside others!
For more details, including pricing and booking information, visit their website here.
@Johan Neven
Horses in Spring
2. Holistic Horse & Pony Centre
- Location: Woking, GU23 6PF
- Specialties: Holistic Riding, Adult riding lessons
The Holistic Horse & Pone Centre in Woking offers unique, holistic riding lessons designed to help beginners and nervous riders build confidence with their riding. The centre was founded by Wendy, a UK pioneer in holistic riding, who has over 30 years of experience and a love for building confidence in riders. Wendy is also currently the only riding instructor in the UK to have a Teaching Diploma in Practical Metaphysics, and her unqiue blend of qualifications and personal experience has helped guide young riders.
Some of the holistic lessons on offer include "bonding time" with horses before riding and equine-assisted services aimed at mental well-being, especially for teenagers. Encompassing more than just positive thinking exercises, Wendy's Holistic Riding lessons are used as a tool for bringing about harmony of the mind in both the horse and the rider.
The Holistic Horse and Pony Centre is also home to Healing Hearts and Minds with Horses CIC, a foundation dedicated to helping teens deal with mental health. They have recently been affected by severe storms and floods which have damaged a few of their stables. If you would like to donate to the centre to help them reconstruct their facilities, click the link here.
Alternatively, you can view prices and more information about lessons by visiting their website here.
3. Wildwoods Riding Centre
- Location: Tadworth, KT20 5BH
- Specialties: Hacking, BHS training courses
Wildwoods Riding Centre in Tadworth is a British Horse Society (BHS) established in 1976. They are also ABRS approved, offering a variety of riding lessons for all ages and abilities, including hacking in the scenic Surrey countryside and unique Western-style riding.
The centre hosts regular Pony Club activities for young riders and provides specialized training for BHS exams and rider biomechanics. Their popular Trojan Racewood Dressage Simulator allows riders to experience all the effects of riding without needing to mount a proper horse!
The electronic sensors in the saddle perfectly simulate a real horses movement, and the interactive screen highlights rider balance and the application of aids. The Trojan Simulator serves as a useful teaching aid for both able-bodied and disabled riders from beginner to advanced!
Be sure to visit their website for more information.
4. Sandown Park Racecourse Stables
- Location: Esher, KT10 9AJ
- Specialties: Racing techniques, Fitness riding, Advanced training
Sandown Park Racecourse is the go-to school for riders interested in racing techniques and more intense training classes, with a large focus on competitive riding. The fitness riding programs on offer are popular among experienced riders looking to enhance stamina and endurance.
If you are not interested in riding competitively but still enjoy horse riding, not to worry! Fans of the sport can also come in to spectate racing events throughout the year, including the Grand Military Gold Cup Day and the Bet365 Flat Season Opener for reasonable prices!
For more information on prices, visit their website here.
5. Equus Equestrian Centre
- Location: Epsom, KT19 8PL
- Specialties: Classical riding lessons, Polo, Show-jumping
Epsom Riding School, part of the Equus Equestrian Centre in Horton Country Park, offers classical riding lessons for children and adults, as well as fun options like junior polo and park hacks. With a spacious indoor arena, they cater to beginners through to advanced riders.
The Equestrian Centre is the ideal place for riders who are looking to pursue lessons in dressage or show jumping, offering a selection of pre-novice and novice horses for those wishing to make use of a very large practice indoor arena. They also have private and group lessons available.
The grounds are also ideal for family picnics and fun rides! They host regular events to encourage riders to be more comfortable in the horse environment, including gymkhanas, monthly shows, and pony parties. The combination of both learning and leisure at Epsom Riding School makes it an ideal choice for casual riders looking to boost their experience!
Visit their website for more information on booking events and lessons.
@Susanne Nilsson
Morning in the paddock
6. Southern Schoolmasters
- Location: Chiddingfold, GU8 4UP
- Specialties: Horsemanship clinics
Specializing in Western-style riding, Southern Schoolmasters in Chiddingfold is the ideal school for riders looking to explore horsemanship in a friendly and relaxed setting. Run by founder Tina Aston and her team, they provide training in reining, pleasure riding, and ranch riding.
The centre also offers horsemanship clinics and bespoke lessons with top Western trainers, focusing on rider confidence and horse partnership. If you are looking for a unique riding experience that doesn't require too much professional training, then Southern Schoomasters is the place for you!
It's important to note that membership is required for regular club access, and members must bring their own horses. You can visit their website here for more information on accessibility.
7. Shetland Pony Club
- Location: Cobham, KT11 3PW
- Specialties: Children's programs, Pony rides
Shetland Pony Club in Cobham specializes in casual riding by introducing young children from ages 3-10 to horseback riding with gentle Shetland ponies. They offer engaging starter rides, “Own a Pony” experiences, and summer day camps tailored for beginners.
Some of these lessons include learning more about pony care, with experiences such as learning to brush the ponies, paddock care and learning to ride on the lead rein in the Cobham meadows!
Children can also enjoy exclusive pony birthday parties hosted by the Shetland team, celebrating their special day in the lavish countryside in a private facility with trained ponies! Don't hesitate to book a fabulous afternoon with the adorable Shetland ponies that really will make those pony dreams come true.
Visit their website for booking and more information.
8. Tandridge Priory Riding Centre
- Location: Oxted, RH8 9NE
- Specialties: Stable management, Private lessons
Tandridge Priory is a family-run center that offers riding lessons for all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced, with a range of horses suited to different abilities. The centre encourages the use of personal riding / horse care goals, and riders will be allocated a personal instructor who will help accomodate their needs when it comes to riding!
Children can pick lessons from either the lead rein group (most suitable for age 3 - 6 year olds), half-hour private lessons or a combination of both with the Pony Club groups. The teaching facilities range from assisting children that can canter independently and would like to try some small jumps, to children that can compete in annual dressage and showjumping events (and occasional cross country jumping!)
They also have a livery yard, although spaces are limited, so be sure to visit their website before they run out!
9. Silvermere Equestrian Centre
- Location: Silvermere, KT11 1EQ
- Specialties: Pony Club lessons
Silvermere is a family-run riding business that started out as a livery yard and eventually turned into a BHS- approved riding center! They’ve continued to develop the business and improve facilities over the years, adding a reception area, lecture room, additional stabling, resurfaced arenas, a solarium and improvements to the horses stables.
Tandridge mainly caters to riders aged 4+, with a weight limit of 80kg for riding lessons. They also offer training for BHS exams and Pony Club activities, including a competitive edge with national quiz wins.
They have won a national quiz in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022 and came 2nd in 2023 as a centre at National level!
Be sure to visit their website for more information on booking and training exams!
@Peter O'Connor
Horses at Bury Farm
10. White Lane Farm
- Location: Albury, GU5 9BQ
- Specialties: Hacking, Beginner lessons
Founded in 1988 by Linda Cannon, White Lane Farm is an approved member of the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS). Linda Cannon started the Riding School as the family farm in 1988 and has run the yard ever since, always keeping the horse management and teaching to a high standard.
The centre provides a range of lessons for all ages and abilities, with a focus on professional teaching and excellent horse management for small groups. They offer both private and semi-private lessons, ensuring each rider gets the help they need.
The centre lies in the valley between Newlands Corner and St Martha's Hill with unrivalled hacking, mainly on the all weather sandy tracks, with a mixture of heathland, woodland and spectacular views!
Visit their website for more information.
