Welcome to Contessa Riding Centre.
We are a BHS and ABRS approved riding centre in rural Hertfordshire. Our location is within easy reach of London, Cambridge and Stansted Airport. The proprietor is international dressage rider Tina Layton-Elliott, a BHSI and UKCC Sports Coach Educator.
Tina established Contessa in 1977 with her parents, and together they have worked hard to build the centre into the busy riding school and training centre that it is today. Mrs Sheila Layton runs the administration of the business and is also the Vice-Chairman of the ABRS, responsible for riding school revisits and approvals. Her invaluable work was rewarded when she was made a Fellow of the association in 2006.
Although a large centre with over 38 horses and ponies, we pride ourselves on being a friendly stable. As a family run business, we want everyone to feel part of the team. Contessa Riding Centre is a BHS “Where to Train Centre” and an ABRS coaching and exam centre up to ATD level. We are able to offer training in the BHS, UKCC and ABRS exam systems and also offer the NVQ qualifications. Our facilities include a large mirrored indoor school with quality surface complemented by an outside international sized manège and a full set of show jumps.
We also offer a video service where your riding can be recorded so you can see how you are improving! Contessa also offers riding holidays, giving the whole family the chance to join in, relax in the beautiful countryside or check out the facilities at the local luxurious country club.
We offer private one-to-one, shared or group lessons 7 days a week. Lesson time and duration is flexible, with prices starting from £18.00 Contessa has several advanced dressage horses, some of which are used for schoolmaster lessons, although this is after an initial assessment. Riding courses are very popular and can be adapted to cover your own individual interests, they include dressage, show jumping, BHS & ABRS examination training, working in hand, classical equitation, etc. See the events section of our profile to see what courses we will be running in the coming months.
We also offer Evening Classes and Group lessons.
Adult evening class schedule.
Monday - 7.30 - 9.00pm NVQ 1/BHS stage 1 training night with Katie, to include a ridden lesson and stable management lecture, this will enable you to achieve an equine qualification.
Tuesday - 7.00 – 8.00pm Tina takes a Dressage lesson where the work is focused on the classical correct way of going of horse and rider.
Wednesday – 7.00 – 8.00pmSarah gives an Intermediate/Advanced flatwork lesson working on position, feel and effectiveness.
Thursday – 7.15 – 8.15pm Lessons with Amy aimed at the ambitious pleasure rider, wanting to improve their riding
Pony Club –Kids club Sessions Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 1hr ride and ½ hr stable management lecture - see an instructor to see which day/time would suit your child's standard of riding
Mini Kids club sessionsSaturday 2pm and Sunday 3pm where our smaller children have the chance to ride in a group with the help of leaders, ¾ hour ride followed by 15mins of pony fun time learning how to look after their pony.
PONY DAYS ALL WEEK DAYS OF SCHOOL HOLIDAYSSee a Member of Staff for availability Pony Days and Pony weeks throughout school holidays – including Pony week with Show Jumping instruction (for experienced children), - Tiny Tots half day, and Novice Children’s Week for the less experienced.
Also we run an novice /intermediate lesson that Maddy gives on a Monday at 11am it is aimed at the more nervous rider that would like help riding with others and building their confidence up in more challenging situations!!
And don't forget our Mums and Grans lesson on a Wednesday morning where your get to have a cup of coffee with your instructor to discuss your lesson. Dads and Grandads are, of course, welcome too.
For further information please countact us.
Contessa Riding Centre
Willow Tree Farm, Colliers End, Nr Ware, Herts, SG11 1EN
Tel: 01920 821792 www.contessa-riding.com