During the holiday, the Cottage Matron will be overall responsible for your welfare throughout - she will look after you from 4 p.m. every afternoon through to 10 a.m., ensuring you are happy, entertained, and well-fed! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, you will be under the riding supervision of the Cottage Coach, riding twice a day, looking after your assigned pony, and learning the theory and practice of equestrianism – and having lots of fun.
Your schedule and excellent transport links mean that you can also enjoy everything London has to offer with the Cottage Matron.
The course runs from Monday (12 p.m. arrival and induction) to Saturday (departure by 4 p.m). You will stay in a just refurbished fully equipped 3 bedroomed 1920’s Groundsman’s Cottage in the centre of the Riding School.
A typical day
- 08:00 Nutritious buffet & cooked breakfast
- 09:00 To the yard to look after your assigned care-share horse (plus chicken, puppy, and goat care)
- 10:00 - 13:00 Join Pony Day in Yard, Arenas and Gallivanter Meadow
- 13:00 - 14:00 Pre-prepared packed lunch in Cottage
- 14:00 - 16:00 Riding / gymkhana and/or Gallivanter Adventures in the Meadow
- 16:00 - 17:00 Cottage Matron’s Tea and Cottage Riding Coach feedback & lecture
- 17:00 - 18:00 Free time / private time with pony / English lessons if booked
Evening activities (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
- Monday: welcome, orientation, supper and induction
- Tuesday and Thursday: travel into London to visit sights with Matron plus supper out
- Wednesday: campfire, music & food in Gallivanter Meadow
- Plus, Friday from 1 p.m.: optional trip to Windsor Castle and Thorpe Park
Ealing Riding School
Ealing Riding School is an established London riding school with a 5-star DEFRA rating. They’ve been welcoming riders of all abilities to our school since 1986. They currently welcome over 400 student riders every week to our 3 arenas, working with 40 horses. Ealing Riding School has a friendly and professional team dedicated to bringing on children’s riding and furthering their love of horses. The Gallivanters Meadow area is a place of adventure for both humans and horses with a warm barn, firepit, balancing bridges, and treehouses.
Arrivals and departures
- Arrivals between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday.
- Departures are at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
- If you need to arrive or depart outside these times, please let Ealing Riding School know in advance.