Equestrian Excellence at a Top UK Horse Riding School
At Queen Mary’s, horse riding isn’t an extra – it is ingrained into the everyday school experience. Our exceptional, 5 Star British Horse Society Approved Riding Centre sits at the very heart of the school campus, offering the convenience to care and ride horses before, after, and during the school day.
As a proudly all-girls independent prep and senior school, and co-educational pre-prep school, we champion confidence, courage and opportunity within our highly-regarded school equestrian programme.
Recognised as one of the UK’s top girls’ boarding schools with equestrian facilities, Queen Mary’s offers a standard of training and care rarely matched by other BHS approved riding schools. Whether your child dreams of competing nationally, learning to ride for pleasure, or just loves horses, Queen Mary’s can cater for all horseback riding abilities.
Our BHS Riding School Equestrian Centre
Horse Riding at School
A Highly-regarded Equestrian School
Queen Mary’s has a long history of equestrianism and success in equestrian sports. Our boarding and day pupils benefit from our fantastic equestrian centre facilities and high-quality BHS Approved coaching as well as memorable horse riding experiences, and activities.
We pride ourselves on being inclusive as well as competitive and in creating a space for all levels to enjoy horse riding, show jumping, dressage, arena events, hacking, and more.
Our Equestrian Centre Facilities
A BHS Approved Riding Centre Near Thirsk
Our beautiful on-site equestrian centre is located in the stunning North Yorkshire countryside between Ripon and Thirsk, within easy access of Northallerton, York, Wetherby, and Harrogate. The leading 5 Star BHS horse riding centre is set within 40 acres of school parklands and provides everything a young rider needs to thrive in the world of equestrianism, including fourteen loose boxes, three open-barn stables, 33 acres of grazing paddocks with a horse walker, and a 60m x 40m all-weather arena with full show jumping and dressage set-up.
Horse Riding Lessons for All Levels – Beginners Welcome
Proud to Offer Riding For All
From tentative first trots to pony-mad confidence, our horse riding programme is designed for girls aged 3-16 years and boys up until age 8. As one of the best schools with equestrian programmes, we introduce beginners to safe handling, stable management and riding skills, guided by patient, encouraging BHS qualified instructors.
Lessons run after school and on Saturdays, with options for group sessions, private coaching, BHS Pony Stars for younger pupils and BHS Challenge Awards for seniors. Beginners are always welcome to our equestrian centre, with suitable lessons, guidance, and provision in place for those with little or no horse riding experience.
Horse Riding Performance Programmes
An Equestrian Academy for Novice and Experienced Riders
Our Lead Coach specialised in British Showjumping and offers students the chance to be involved in the British Showjumping Yorkshire Academy and represent the Academy Team at Stoneleigh at the BS Championships. Riders can also have training development sessions offsite at local BS centres.
We regularly attend local competitions for NSEA in order to qualify for the Championships at Hickstead and Addington from Grassroots to Elite Level. We offer riders the opportunity to qualify for the BHS riding school competition, HOYS competition, and other horse events including the North Championships.
Equestrian Teams
A Leading Competitive Equestrian School
For experienced horseback riders aiming high, Queen Mary’s is one of the UK’s leading schools with riding programmes. We provide in-house advanced coaching in show jumping, dressage and arena eventing, with opportunities to compete for the school with our successful NSEA /British Showjumping school teams. Many of our riders progress to national finals, British Showjumping pathways from club to represent Great Britain – guided every step of the way by our specialist BHS and British Showjumping-qualified coaches.
We have a variety of eventing teams for both horse and pony events, including showjumping from 50cm to 123cm plates in individual and team events. We also compete in dressage and other events.
Equestrian Competition Success
Proud to Win Several Equestrian Events Each Year
The success of the school’s equestrian programme is demonstrated by the 2025 first-place finishes in a variety of disciplines, including Show Jumping and Dressage events. Queen Mary’s Riding Team is ranked top in the Regional Points League in NSEA.
Pony Stars
BHS Pony Stars Training from Year 3 to Year 6
We offer Pony Stars sessions for ages 5-10 years on Thursday at 4.15 pm – 5.45 pm during term time. These riding sessions are delivered by our team of BHS Accredited Coaches and last for 90 minutes, split into a 45 minute group riding lesson followed by 45 minutes of stable management. The sessions cost £30 + VAT each.
Hacking Club and Road Safety
Learning How to Ride Horses on Country Roads Safely
The Hacking Club is designed for Queen Mary’s riders with their own ponies who would love the opportunity to get out and about while learning the skills needed for safe and confident hacking and roadwork. Happening regularly on Sunday mornings, the Hacking Club will:
- – Teach riders the fundamentals of hacking and riding on the roads
- – Support parents with loading trailers and travelling
- – Help plan safe, suitable routes for each ride
- – Focus on safety, confidence, and enjoyment for both horse and rider
We will begin with school-based hacks, progressing to woodland rides and, later in the year, beach trips. Riders will also have the opportunity to work towards the BHS Ride Safe (Road Safety) exams as part of the programme.
Livery
We Have Livery Packages For All
Pupils are welcome to bring their horse to school. As a 5 Star British Horse Society Approved Equestrian Centre, we offer various livery options, including Competition, Full, Part, and Working Livery.
Equestrian School Boarding Options
Enjoy More Horse Riding with Full-time, Weekly, and Flexi Boarding
Queen Mary’s is proud of its flexible boarding options. Day pupils can enjoy occasional overnight stays and boarders can stay during the week or throughout the term. An inclusive, fun experience, our boarding staff provide a home away from home packed with exciting activities and trips. Pupils can enjoy riding through the grounds, horse riding lessons, and other equestrian activities.
Horse Riding Scholars
Queen Mary's School has a long history of achieving fantastic results in show jumping, dressage, arena events, and other horse riding events. Girls who excel in equestrianism can apply to be scholars and enjoy access to equestrian-based perks.
Devina's Story
Devina is one of our Riding Scholars.
Devina is one of our full boarding equestrian scholars.
"I started in the Queen Mary's Riding School when i was 8 years old and progressed onto owning my own pony when I was in year 7. I can remember and being awarded a Riding Scholarship which has given me even more opportunities to excel. I’ve attended the NSEA Championships several times and am now currently in the process of trying to qualify for the British Show Jumping Children On Horses Championships.
The riding staff here are all extremely supportive and really try to help the pupils achieve their riding goals.
The Equestrian Centre at Queen Mary’s is a great place to improve both your riding and stable management skills. There’s also a fantastic arena and lots of stables where you can keep your own horse, or ride one of the school’s ponies."
Our Extended Riding Centre Offer
Open to the Public: Horse Riding Sessions and Clubs
Riding Lessons for Non-Pupils
Queen Mary’s Equestrian Centre offers a selection of lessons, clubs, camps, and experiences, which are attended by Queen Mary’s pupils and the local community alike. Popular activities include our Pony Days, Pony Club, Pony Camps, Pony Parties, Home-schooling sessions, and our Changing Lives Through Horses programme. Many activities have limited numbers and book up quickly so please do get in touch if you are interested.
Our Term Time Timetable
Queen Mary’s Pony Club
Pony Club Sessions For All
Queen Mary’s is a Pony Club Centre. We run pony club rallies every Saturday afternoon from 1.00 – 4.00 pm costing £25 per session, and have a Pony Club Camp over the summer holidays. We also welcome Pony Club volunteers aged 11-25 to embark on the Young Equestrian Leaders Award scheme, which is a fantastic opportunity for personal development.
Our Pony Club Linked Centre can offer riders without their own ponies the opportunity to gain the internationally recognised horse and pony care test and badges.
School Holiday Horse Riding Activities
Welcoming the Community to Our School Holiday Equestrian Camps
Over the school holidays, we offer a variety of lessons, Pony Days, Pony Club Camps, and clinics, all bookable through Horse Monkey, and updated termly. Lessons are available as group sessions or private sessions to suit every rider’s needs, with groups organised by ability. Riders are welcome to bring their own ponies or use our school ponies.
Our Pony Days run from 9.30 am – 3.30 pm and include two ridden sessions. Riders also have the opportunity to care for and groom the ponies throughout the day, followed by plenty of fun activities.
Changing Lives Through Horses
Emotional Support Riding and CLTH Programmes For Home Schoolers
Our Changing Lives Through Horses programme supports home-schooled children and those in full- or part-time education to build key life skills and confidence through working with horses. Aimed at helping young people to re-engage with learning, develop self-esteem, and build lasting friendships, both human and equine, sessions can be tailored for BHS qualifications. Using the buttons below, you can visit the BHS ‘Changing Lives Through Horses’ page for more information or can email us to book a free taster session.
BHS Qualifications
BHS Accredited Qualifications Offered at Queen Mary’s
We offer training for BHS qualifications. This can be supported as part of our Changing Lives Through Horses programme and also as a half or full day of training during school holidays. In addition, we can offer work experience or work placement.
Horse Riding Lessons
Equestrian Event and Riding Sessions For All
We warmly welcome children who are not currently enrolled at Queen Mary’s to join us at our Equestrian Centre for riding lessons and courses. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills or train for British Horse Society and Pony Club exams, our team is here to help. We do currently have a waiting list, which we can happily add you to. For more information, please email using the button below.
Pony Parties and Horse Riding Birthday Parties
We also offer Horse riding birthday parties for students and external jockeys, which includes:
- – A riding session with use of ponies
- – 90 minutes of grooming and pony painting with three age-appropriate party games
- – A Rosette for each child to take away
- – Party decorations for around the stables
- – Squash, water and biscuits available throughout the day