Welcome ‘neigh-bours’ to the…
Yard manager Sophie, and the rest of the amazing Equestrian Centre team, provide educational riding, arena hire and horse-based events for the general public, whilst also overseeing horse and carriage sessions for the Calvert Exmoor residential guests staying on site.
This page is dedicated to the public side of the Equestrian Centre; if you’d like to learn about stables sessions as part of a residential break, visit this activity page.
The Equestrian Centre caters for the local community, offering riding lessons and arena hire for people with and without disabilities. There are on-site stables, an indoor arena with viewing gallery, as well as a purpose-built outdoor manège.
Our herd members are specially selected and trained to have the perfect temperament for riders of all types, and range in various sizes from ponies to larger horses. We also have an adapted wheelchair-accessible carriage.
For any questions or enquires, please contact the Equestrian team directly by phone:
Partnerships
What's on offer…
Everyone is welcome, with accessible riding lessons being our speciality. There is a strong sense of family and unity, with a small team overseeing lessons for ongoing familiarity and trust.
From newbies to past riders wanting to take the reins once again, call 01598 763059 to arrange a riding lesson with the accredited stage 2, 3 and 4 riding school coaches.
- 30 minute group lesson/ride: £27 per person
- 30 minute private lesson/ride: £37
- 1 hour group lesson/ride: £37 per person
- 1 hour private lesson/ride: £47
- 30 minute grooming session: £20 per person
Weight restrictions and T&Cs apply, see below for details*
There is a 20 x 40m indoor arena for hire in the heart of the North Devon countryside, giving you a quiet put practical place to do whatever you wish.
Give the team a call on 01598 763059 to discuss availability.
£15 per hour.
Equipment/jumps can be arranged for an additional charge of £5, please mention your requirements when booking.
You must have your own public liability insurance and should be able to provide the policy number when asked.
Birthdays, celebrations, Christmas fun; whatever the excuse to throw a party, we’ve got you covered with a venue inside the stables with the horses and ponies right alongside you.
You provide the food, cake and drink (no alcohol please adults) and we’ll provide the horses and ponies to ride and groom.
- £35 per person
- Aditional use of Discovery Centrer to host a larger event for just £5 extra per person
- A minimum of 4 children
Call 01598 763059 to book.
Weight restrictions and T&Cs apply, see below for details*
Give the horsey-mad youngster in your life the opportunity to care for and own a pony for a day!
Children attending these jam-packed sessions will be guided by our fantastic Stables Team to enjoy:
- Two hours of riding tuition, which could involve a hack around Wistlandpound Reservoir depending on the weather
- Grooming
- Tacking up
- Feeding
- Mucking out and general duties
Key details:
- Every Saturday
- Full day: 10am to 4pm; £85 per child
- Half day 10am to 1pm; £50 per child
- For ages 7+
Children will need to bring:
- Packed lunch and refreshments
- Suitable clothing for the weather and riding:
- Trousers/leggings/jodhpurs (must)
- Riding boots/jodhpur boots/wellies (must)
- Jumper/coat suitable for the weather
Weight restrictions and T&Cs apply, see bottom of page for details*
Join us for a fun friendly evening of jumping a course of up to 8 fences including spreads and combinations.
Clear round show jumping events take place on pre-arranged dates, starting from 5pm.
Please phone 01598 763059 to learn when the next upcoming event will take place.
No maximum or minimum hight, your aim is to jump a clear round.
- £6 per round or 3 for £15
- Plenty of space for parking with horse trailers or boxes
- Please ensure you have your own liability insurance
Riders and horses love hacking out.
Whilst learners often travel down to Wistlandpound Reservoir, there is the opportunity for more practised riders to go further afield, to beautiful places like Arlington Court.
If you’re an experienced rider who can confidently Walk/Trot/Canter out and about in the countryside and on public roads, come and enjoy the beautiful countryside on our amazing horses with your friends or family.
(Any riders joining us for the first time, a pre-assessment for riding ability in the arena will be done before heading out).
If you’re interested in finding out more and to book your place please give the Equestrian team a call on 01598 763059
*Important information
To guarantee your slot you need to book and pay a month in advance.
All prices are inclusive of VAT.
20% deposit is required upon booking for Clubs and Events arena hire.
Cancellation Fees:
Individuals/Groups…
If cancelled before 5pm on the day before the booked session – no fee
If cancelled after 5pm on the day before the booked session – full payment
Clubs and Events…
If cancelled at least 10 days before the booked session – 20% deposit
If cancelled within 10 days of the booked session – full payment
Please note there are weight restrictions for guests wishing to participate in riding or carriage driving using the Calvert Exmoor’s horses and ponies.
The restrictions are:
13st 7lb for riding
17st for carriage driving (including wheelchair if needed)
These restrictions are for the ongoing health of the horses and ponies. Please don’t be offended if you are required to be weighed in private; it is never our intention to insult or judge individuals, but to put the safety and health of the animals before anything else.
Qualifications
Qualifications are:
- BHS stage 4, 3 and 2 coaching
- RDA Driving coaches
- Pony Club coaching
- Approved Professional Coaches membership
- 5* Devon County Council Animal Welfare license
British Horse Society
We are a British Horse Society (BHS) approved facility (no.1083), with BHS Accredited Professional Coaches (plus the carriage driving instructors are trained to British Driving Society (BDS) standards).
In 2022, we also proudly became a Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) centre, and provide sessions to young riders aged between 5-25 as part of the CLTH programme.
Through the BHS led CLTH and their Pony Stars awards, the Equestrian Centre doesn’t just offer riding lessons, but an ongoing educational programme to develop knowledge and skills including natural horsemanship, stable management, understanding horse behaviour and working horses, as well as horse riding and carriage driving.
Stables session equipment
Ceiling Track Hoist
Ceiling Track Hoist
- This hoist allows guests who may need extra help mounting a horse to do so with a smooth transition
- When you arrive at the Equestrian Centre, if you and the staff decide that mounting a horse using this equipment is best, they’ll help you into a specialised sling. When you get to the mounting platform, the sling is attached onto the metal bar of the hoist to be lifted to the correct height
- Please note: there is a 12 stone weight limit when using this equipment
Tack and Riding Hats
Tack and Riding Hats
- We have an array of tack for all our horses, which you can see hanging on the walls in the tack room
- This room also houses the riding hats, which you’ll need to wear if you’re riding during your session
Funbug Carriage
Funbug Carriage
- This carriage is an option for guests who:
- Are wheelchair users
- Do not have sufficient core strength to safely ride a horse
- Are above the weight allowance for riding a horse
- Are not confident enough to ride a horse alone
- One of the chairs on the carriage, pictured, can be removed, to make space for your own wheelchair to be secured in its place
- The back of the carriage can be turned into a ramp for easy access
- This carriage has a variety of modifications that make it comfortable, smooth and enjoyable for all
- Please note: this carriage has a 17 stone weight limit
Horsemanship Tools
Horsemanship Tools
- These could consist of a variety of tools:
- Brooms for sweeping
- Shovels and wheelbarrows for poo picking
- Brushes for grooming
