Welcome to Poplars Farm Riding School

With over 40 years of experience, we offer riding lessons to cater for all ages and abilities. We have a range of carefully selected horses and ponies, combined with experienced, well qualified staff to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and beneficial riding experience.

Kim Thorndike | December 2022

“I would highly recommend Poplars Farm riding School. I have been riding there for 6 years and in that time I have been coached from a nervous novice rider to now competing successfully BD!! All levels are catered for with a lovely range of very well looked after horses. Professional, friendly, supportive teaching with a welcoming atmosphere!! “

Christine Edwards | November 2022

“I have been riding at Poplars Farm for the last 9 years and have seen a transformation in my riding ability since starting. Pip and the team of instructors share a passion for providing excellent instruction in a clear and concise way, whilst still making it fun. Having a variety of horses and ponies to suit all levels and abilities, from beginner to advanced, all riders are catered for. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming and it’s visible to see that the horses are well cared for and looked after. Whether you want to progress through the levels or have a leisurely hack, Poplars Farm is the place to go.”

sophie gordon | April 2021

“100% genuine, caring and fun staff! Beautiful horses and ponies in a gorgeous setting! I’m on my 7th lesson and my confidence has shot up (along with my ability). I feel safe and comfortable every time I visit for my lessons! I am taught by Mandy and she is absolutely blooming brilliant! Could not recommend them enough!!!!”

About Us

Facilities

We have 3 outdoor, floodlit arenas which are excellently maintained with a quality all weather surface enabling us to continue our lessons all year round. We use the different size arenas to suit our different lesson types.

  • 25 x 35 arena
  • 20 x 40 arena
  • 25 x 50 arena

Jumps

We have a good variety of well maintained, lightweight jumps. We have a mixture of poles, fillers and planks, thus making us well equipped for both teaching people the art of jumping and progressing the more advanced riders jumping ability.

Liveries and Stud

In addition to the riding school, Mandy’s family run business also offer a livery service with both DIY and working liveries and Poplars Farm is also home of the Poplabee Stud. Having kept and retired some of Pip and Chez’s first show ponies, they have gone on to breed some quality lead rein and first ridden show ponies, which are currently competing on the national circuit. Most notably; Poplabee Minnie Mouse and Poplabee Georgie Porgie

Lessons

Our Lessons

Whether you are a complete beginner, a novice rider looking to improve your ability or an experienced rider aspiring towads your BHS exams, we are the centre for you. We have a variety of horses and ponies to suit all riders and friendy, knowledgeable instructors to help imrpove your riding capability.

We are a BHS (British Horse Society) approved riding school. The BHS are committed to promoting through it’s approval scheme, the highest standards of equine welfare, equestrianism and customer service at riding schools. Approved establishments such as ourselves must have horse and pony welfare along with client safety and satisfaction as priorities.

We offer group lessons, all of which are standardised; the initial beginner lessons are 30minute sessions, and aim to teach riders how to communicate the basic aids and how to walk, trot and canter on a safe, straightforward horse or pony. Children from the age of 4 can take part in our beginner classes.

From here riders progress to our longer group lessons, whey they are required to ride more independently and begin to tackle small jumps. We also offer shared lessons (semi private) for a smaller number of riders allowing for more individual rider training and focus and then completely priavte lessons for one 2 one training. Please see below for lesson prices.

Prices – Effective 1st April 2026

Group Lessons

  • 1/2 Hour – £22
  • 45mins – £27
  • 1hr – £31*

* If there are 3 or less riders in an hour class, the lesson will run as 45mins.
Maximum group size 7 riders

Private Lessons

  • 1/2 Hour (BHS Stage 2/3 Coach) – £33
  • 45mins (BHS Stage 2/3 Coach) – £42
  • 1/2 Hour (BHS Stage 4 Coach – £36
  • 45mins (BHS Stage 4 Coach) – £45

Shared Lessons

BHS Stage 2 or 3 Coach

  • 1/2 Hour 2 Riders – £26
  • 45mins 2 Riders – £33
  • 1/2 Hour 3 Riders – £25
  • 45mins 3 Riders – £29

* 4 or more riders will be charged group price

BHS Stage 4 Coach

  • 1/2 Hour 2 Riders – £28
  • 45mins 2 Riders – £35
  • 1/2 Hour 3 Riders – £26
  • 45mins 3 Riders – £31

Hacking

  • 1 Hour – £35
  • 1 Hour 30 – £45
  • 2 Hours – £55
Policies

Cancellation Policy

Any cancellations made ON THE DAY of your lesson with incur a £15.00 cancellation charge payable the next time you ride. As is also the case for no shows. Lessons cancelled well in advance of the day will continue not incurring a charge. Any lessons cancelled by Poplars Farm for example in adverse weather or unsafe conditions will also not be chargeable. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Payments

Payment is strictly required on the day of your lesson and we accept both cash & card.