The Queen Mary’s British Horse Society Approved Equestrian Centre is located right in the heart of our school parkland.
Our equestrian programme is a standout offering, providing lots of opportunities for both novice and experienced riders. Set within our beautiful parkland, the equestrian centre makes horse riding easily accessible during the school day, offering a unique experience for horse enthusiasts.
Whether day pupils or boarders, all girls can take advantage of our equestrian facilities. We also offer a full-service livery yard for those who wish to bring their own horse, alongside expert lessons for newcomers eager to build skills and pursue their passion for equestrianism.
Representing Great Britain and Success at NSEA Finals
Riding For All
Our Equestrian Centre offers a variety of disciplines, including show jumping, dressage, and eventing. With 24 horses stabled on-site, pupils have the opportunity to train throughout the day. Our dedicated team is committed to providing personalised coaching for every rider, whether you’re starting your equestrian journey or aiming for national competition. Focused on individual growth and year-round development, we ensure each rider receives the attention and guidance needed to thrive. Whether your goal is to represent Great Britain or simply ride for pleasure, Queen Mary’s provides exceptional tuition for riders of all levels.
Riding Lessons
All children from Reception to Year 11 may take Riding lessons either after school between 4.15 – 19:00 or on Saturday mornings which are also open to external riders. Group lessons last approximately 45 minutes with up to 4-5 pupils per lesson. Private lessons are available for either 30 or 45 minute periods.
We also offer the opportunity for Prep riders to take part in the BHS Pony Stars and for senior riders we offer the opportunity for girls to complete the BHS Challenge Awards syllabus’s developing skills and knowledge on pony care and riding throughout the term these programmes lead to the year 10/11 students get the opportunity to take the BHS stage 1 and riding road safety exam.
Equestrian Teams
We offer specialist inhouse training throughout the year for pupils wanting to compete for the school in our successful NSEA riding teams for Showjumping/ Arena Eventing & Dressage. 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 also have training development sessions offsite at local BS centres. Our lead coach specialised in British Showjumping and offers students the opportunity to be involved in the British Showjumping Yorkshire Academy and represent the Academy Team at Stoneleigh at the BS Championships.
We also offer riders within the riding school the opportunity to qualify for the BHS riding school competition which allows students without their own horse or pony to have the competition experience. We host numerous in house competitions throughout the year for all riders, and we also welcome external riders to these in house competitions.
The success of the school’s equestrian programme is demonstrated by the recent first-place finishes in a variety of disciplines, including Show Jumping and Dressage events in Northallerton and Greenlands.
- 70cm Show Jumping (Northallerton 19/01)
- 90cm Show Jumping (Northallerton 19/01)
- 100cm Show Jumping (Northallerton 19/01)
- 50cm Team Snaffle (Greenlands 26/01)
- 60cm Grassroots Individual (Northallerton 19/01)
- Dressage Prelim Individual (Northallerton 01/02)
- Dressage Prelim Team (Northallerton 01/02)
The school’s Grassroots team also won the 40cm competition and has qualified for Hickstead.
Livery and Facilities
You may wish to bring your horse to school. We are a 5 Star British Horse Society Approved Equestrian Centre offering various livery options: Competition; Full; Part & Working Livery are all available.
– Fourteen loose box stables
– Three open barn stables
– 60mx40m all-weather outdoor arena, with a training show jumping course and dressage markers
– Four horse, horse walker
– 33 acres of grazing paddocks
– Onsite hacking in parkland
– Hot water facilities and wash down area for horses and Ponies
– Highly qualified team of grooms
Pony Parties
We also offer Riding Birthday Parties for students and external jockeys. This includes:
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90 Mins Grooming and Pony Painting with 3x party games appropriate for relevant age group
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Ridden Session.
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Use of ponies
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Squash or Water and biscuit snacks are available throughout the day.
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Rosette for each child to take away
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Party decorations for around the stables.
Pony Club
Queen Mary’s is a Pony Club Centre, Linked Centres can offer riders without their own ponies the opportunity to gain the internationally recognised horse and pony care test and badges.
Centres also offer the opportunity for riders who board or don’t have transport to become a centre + member and compete for the pony club at the pony club competitions. 4 of our centre + members have just competed at the Pony Club 1m competition at Bramham horse trials which Queen Mary’s proudly sponsor.
We run pony club rallies every Saturday afternoon from 1-4pm and have a Pony Club Camp over the summer holidays. We welcome volunteers through the pony club aged 11-25 to embark on the Young Equestrian Leaders Award scheme is a fantastic way of using volunteering for personal development. The experiences will enable you to gain essential life skills such as communication, problem solving, organising, team working and self-management. You will also gain invaluable experience of the specific area you are volunteering in, and the roles and skills involved. These skills can include working with young people, event organising, budgeting, fundraising, scoring, and stewarding. Completing the award shows dedication and can be used to enhance your CV, university, and job applications. Volunteering can help build confidence as you meet and work with new people.
Riding 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 BHS and Pony Club exams, our team is here to help. For more information, please email:
Changing Lives Through Horses
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.
Private 1:1 sessions are tailored to each pupil, run during the school day, and include a riding element. Pupils can also work towards BHSQ qualifications, equivalent to GCSEs.
The programme helps young people re-engage with learning, develop self-esteem, and build lasting friendships — both human and equine.
Book your free taster session today.
Poppy's Story
Poppy is one of our Riding Scholars.
"I have been riding for as long as I can remember and being awarded a Riding Scholarship 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 Finals.
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."