Welcome to our Riding School

Here at Island Riding Centre on the Isle of Wight, we are a Pony Club Centre, RDA Accessibility Mark and ABRS approved riding school. Staffed by a team of experienced and qualified instructors, we offer riding lessons, hacks, education and various pony days and activities and cater for all ages and skill levels as well as those with  physical, social and financial difficulties. We are fully insured, council licensed and all of our staff are first aid trained and DBS checked.

The Pony Club was founded in 1929 and is dedicated to helping young people ride and care for their horses. In 1998 Pony Club Centres were introduced so that riders who weren’t fortunate to have their own horse could also participate in Pony Club activities through local riding schools. As members of our Pony Club Centre you will be able to work towards achievement and competition badges as well as progressive tests. You will receive newsletters, third party insurance and discounted tickets for some of the national riding events such as the Horse of the Year Show, Olympia, Burghley Horse Trials and Badminton. You will be part of the world’s largest youth equestrian organisation and enjoy riding and social time with friends whilst trying new equestrian sports and even compete in regional and national competitions.

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and British Equestrian Federation (BEF) launched Accessibility Mark to encourage more people into the world of horse riding and it’s therapeutic benefits. We are one of around 50 centres that have been visited and approved as suitable for providing riding activities for those with physical limitations. During the design of the Island Riding Centre we sought to incorporate as many features that support this, from accessible pathways and specialist mounting and riding equipment through to our fully accessible Changing Places WC, which opened in April 2019 and is the only one at any leisure facility on the Isle of Wight. We have fully accessible holiday accommodation too, click here to read more.

In their own words, the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) is Britain’s longest established Riding School Approval Scheme and promotes participation by persons in the United Kingdom (both able-bodied and with any form of disability and of all ages) in healthy recreation in horse riding through education and in providing advice to riding schools in respect of regulation, welfare and safety issues.

As an ABRS approved centre you can be sure we offer the highest standards of teaching, that the health and safety of our riders is a priority and that our horses and ponies are given the best possible care. Learn more about the ABRS here.