Tuition is available on a private, semi-private or group basis. Lessons can be tailored to suit all needs and standards. The riding school has two outdoor arenas and a 20m training round pen for lessons.
Our half and half lessons include half hour in the arena and half an hour ride out.
These are very good for the beginners' levels and those wanting a refresher or to build up fitness gradualy.
The riding school is situated on the edge of Woodbury Common which comprises over a thousand acres of heathland and woodland overlooking the East Devon hills and famous Jurrasic coastline providing an ideal setting for picturesque rides. Up to two hour rides are on offer daily, exploring this beautiful part of the countryside and special longer rides are also organised as part of holiday programmes or on an individual basis.
A number of term time and holiday courses run throughout the year involving both riding and stable management including evening saddle clubs, pony clubs and kids clubs, 3 / 4 day Courses, Own a Pony Days and Mini Pony Days.
Courses can be organised on an individual basis privately or for your own group and cater for all levels and abilities.
Specialist courses also run towards British Horse Society Challenge Awards, Progressive Riding Tests, BHS Stage Examinations 1-3.
If you wish to learn how to look after horses, from tacking up to feeding, buying or loaning and fittening your own horse or learn towards British Horse Society Certificates and Examinations, special management lessons are also available.
This specialist programme allows people in need to focus and learn about horse care and riding through a therapeutic horse learning course.
The riding school offers a wide variety of special activities including pub rides, dawn rides and cream tea rides – ride across the beautiful countryside into the traditional Devon Village of Otterton with its working water mill and river. Stop for a pub lunch or cream tea while your horses are looked after for you.
Picnic rides are also on offer – with a stop in woodland for your picnic during your ride.
Organised rides run throughout the holiday times but you can also organise your own group for a special ride which can be tailored to your needs. Why not organise a ride for your anniversary, a birthday, a hen or stag party or any other special occasion.
Our other special events throughout the year include Spring Autumn and Winter Mock Hunts, Easter egg hunts, Christmas Cracker rides, shows, gymkhanas and other specials. Courses run throughout the year and residential camps at specific times.
An ideal Christmas, birthday or special occasion present, vouchers are available for purchase and can be put towards any riding or stable management we offer.
We have a range of options for children’s parties at the riding school from a simple Shetland pony party, grooming party, gymkhana games party to an own a pony party. You can also hire the Oak Lodge with party lunch or tea.
Budleigh Salterton Riding School has been running since 1985 and is run by Chrissy Howick and Rob Batson. The riding school has 50 horses and is also a full livery yard and breeds warmblood horses with the ‘Heatherways’ prefix, training and competing them up to National level. The riding school is a British Horse Society Approved yard with links to local schools, colleges and Exeter University Riding Club. All riding school full time staff have full first aid training, British Horse Society Instructor training and child protection certificates.
Chrissy is BHSII and degree level qualified and has competed and trained home bred horses up to Prix St George dressage level at a regional and National level and eventing up to Intermediate level alongside teaching and having a busy time bringing up three children.
Rob is BHSAI, stage IV and degree level qualified and has also competed home bred horses in eventing and dressage reaching the Grass Roots Eventing Championship at Bandiminton and many regional British Dressage Championships. Rob served in HM Forces as a Captain both abroad in Germany and Bosnia and in England including being Left Section Commander in the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Rob was the Officer in charge of the Queen Mother’s funeral gun carriage in 2001 leading the procession on horseback. His many ceremonial duties included gun salutes in Hyde and Green Park, Trooping the Colour and the Musical Drive tours around the country and abroad.
The licence holders: C Howick & R Batson - licence number 20/00040/RIDEST
