Bentley Riding School was founded in 1987 by Mannie Beaven, formerly one of the country’s leading lady riders who, as a long time member of the British Team, represented Britain in major international show jumping.
Mannie Beaven
Alongside her competitive career, Mannie has had a life long association with riding schools of all kinds and before moving to this lovely part of Suffolk, she owned and managed one of London’s largest and most prestigious equestrian centres.
Bentley has long been known as the ‘friendly riding school’, combining an informal, welcoming character with high standards of tuition and safety. It is for people who want to learn to ride for pleasure; with the benefit of first class instructors, obliging horses and ponies, a fine indoor arena and lovely woodland rides with no roadwork. We teach children – and their parents – and, in many cases, their grannies. Children who learned to ride here now bring their own children.
Over the last 25 years, Bentley has proved to be a remarkable nursery for talented youngsters who have gone on to success in affiliated show jumping and dressage.
Licensing of Riding Schools
Riding Schools must have a Licence to operate, issued by the local authority and renewable every year following a veterinary inspection. Commencing in 2019, DEFRA have introduced stringent new rules governing every aspect of a riding school’s operation, including horse welfare, client safety, staff training and legal compliance among many others.
Licences are now issued on the basis of a star grading system whereby one star represents minimal compliance with the legal requirements and five stars denote the highest standards in all areas.
Following the latest Veterinary and Local authority inspection in December 2024, we are very pleased that Bentley Riding School has been awarded a Five Star Grading. We have consistently retained our 5 Star status since the scheme began.