A final post from our time at home. I couldn’t not mention the following…
A scene from Thelwell? Almost! The Seven Year Old’s first experience of pony riding, thanks to my sister arranging a lesson for her with Park Lane Riding Stables.
As I have probably mentioned countless times, we lived in and around this particular area for 15 years before we left the UK, and I quite honestly had no idea that this historic old building was here. Once upon a time it was home to Teddington Fire Station, in the days when horses pulled the fire trucks. This family run Riding Stables still makes use of the buildings, and provide lessons, hacks and even birthday parties, along with the help of a dedicated team, and lots of horse-mad volunteers (meaning that their 20 odd charges are a pretty spoiled lot no doubt!), you could feel their love and enthusiasm for the place, and the Dickensesque building is fascinating. Quite surreal for an suburban area of South West London!
The Seven Year old was matched with a Shetland pony called Barney, a placid little chap (who was apparently in a bad mood, not that we noticed), but she thought he was the funniest thing she had ever seen, I don’t think she stopped laughing from start to finish (which is a far better response than being scared, as I was the first time I went horse riding!)…
We loved the patient and kind instructor who explained all the basics, and led The Seven Year Old for a half an hour lesson through beautiful Bushy Park (another one of our old haunts) with myself, my sister and Small Boy following closely behind. Thankfully Barney’s short legs didn’t take much catching up with, and our merry band was viewed with complete disdain by the Royal Park’s four-legged residents as we made our way through the grounds…
It was a great introduction to what I think might become an obsession for The Seven Year Old. So if you are visiting the area and fancy trying something different in Henry VIII’s former hunting grounds, or if you live nearby and want your child to start riding lessons (but like me you didn’t know this place existed!), then I suggest you get in touch…
Bidding farewell to a new friend…
* I wasn’t asked to write this post, and we didn’t receive any money or lessons etc. to do so. As usual, I just like to give deserving parties a mention..
Manana Mama says
How wonderful! My little’ns used to enjoy their days out (and occasional pony rides) at Kentish City Farm. Urban farms and stables are a great resource.
bavaria says
Thanks MM, they are an amazing resource, just wish I had found out about it sooner! :D
Trish says
The only time I ‘ve been on a horse was when we were in Iceland – on the indigenous ‘volcano horses’. Thankfully mine wasn’t too volcanic, more of a gentle simmer!
bavaria says
I bet that was amazing… Got to be better than the whale watching though?? :)
Jess says
I would like to take my son horse riding as I have heard it is very good for balance
bavaria says
You should try, I bet he would enjoy it too! Thanks Jess :)
Emma @mummymummymum says
ho wow, my little girl would love that! Off to google ‘Bushy Park’ xx
bavaria says
Oooh let me know if you go, they are so friendly there! Thanks Emma xx
Coombemill - Fiona says
We used to live just round the Corner at Esher before moving to Cornwall. I used to spend my lunch hour from work cycling or running in bushy park, pony riding looks much more fun! My 10 year old has lessons here in Cornwall and loves it, he is angling for his own pony here on the farm now! I love your Thelwell connection, they were brilliant books. Thanks for linking your visit home to Country Kids.
bavaria says
Thanks Fiona! I like Esher, how funny you used to live there, wonder if we ever passed each other in the park… :)
kelloggsville says
My OH lived in Teddington for a while. I liked it down there. This is our local stables http://kelloggsville.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/outside-my-front-door.html
I think learning relationships through horses is very healthy for girls, I’m serious, I think there is a lot they get from the love they seem to give to the horses they ride and care for that they don’t then push into the whole teen boy thing. The historical beauty of the ride can only add to a magical experience.
bavaria says
Beautiful stables, what a lovely old red brick building! I think you might be right, definitely going to find something locally, although I will have to hose her off in the garden before she comes in as the other half is soooo incredibly allergic to them…! Thanks Kellogsville :) x
Helen from the good life mum says
Oh what a nice day that looked like
bavaria says
It was, thanks Helen :)
Mary says
Ooh, Barney is straight out of Thelwell! How sweet. Be careful though, you may just have started a potentially very long-lived and expensive obsession in the seven year old.
bavaria says
Thanks Mary! I know, I shall be sending the bill to my sister. This is totally her fault!! :)