Yard Rules

Yard Rules: July 2024

• No smoking on the premises.
• No unsupervised children will be permitted on the yard.
• Please ask a member of staff before feeding the horses/ponies any treats.
• No abuse will be tolerated towards staff.
• You will be asked to leave.
• No client will be permitted to ride without an online rider registration account.
• No access to Staff Room or Office which is located behind reception.
• Please may all dogs be kept on leads and under close control due to having our own yard dogs on site.
• Parents are only allowed into the indoor school at Instructors discretion.
• No filming of group sessions, we must comply with our Safeguarding policy.
• Should you wish to photograph or video your child’s progress, please speak to the Instructor so they can arrange other children not to be involved.

Weight Limit

• Our weight limit is currently 13 stone.
• This decision has been reached after many discussions between staff, our vets, our Equine Physio and the British Horse Society.  Due to the horses we have available at this time and their welfare considerations, we must keep to this limit.
• Please consider this to be fully inclusive of your riding wear.  We really want to preserve our horses as long as possible, they are very special to us and their welfare is paramount. So please be honest when filling out your ECPro records.
• We do have set of scales in the office if you haven’t any yourselves. 

Lesson Spectators:

• Quiet at all times during lessons and when entering and leaving the gallery.
• No jumping over the gallery wall.
• Mobiles on silent.
• Please do not shout over/at the instructor.
• The Instructor has the overall authority over the lesson.
• Please remain seated.
• No filming of group lessons.

Clothing:

• People that purchase their own hats/body protectors must have them professionally fitted.
• For the safety of your child, the Instructor must feel that the equipment fits correctly and is up to the current safety standard.
• Please do not tie any items of clothing around your waist when riding.
• Absolutely no shorts or opened toed shoes.
• No scarves are permitted when riding due to health and safety,

Walk Outs:

• Be aware that some of the tracks in the woods are private riding only-not public footpaths (land owners discretion).
• No large groups to follow treks.
• Anyone accompanying the walkout must stay at a safe distance at the rear of the ride.
• Please no prams, bikes or scooters, as this may frighten the ponies.
• You can use the public footpaths to walk your dog during the time that your child is riding but not following the ride.

Ride Outs:

• High-viz is recommended.
• Phone, keys, other items in pockets are not recommended and can be stored in reception for the duration of your ride.
• These may startle your horse if they are to fall out whilst you are riding.
• We will not be held responsible for damage to these items if you do bring them.
• Please do not follow on foot.
• No Go Pros are allowed on rides.

Booking Policy:

• All bookings and rider accounts to be made through http://Bentley-rs.ecpro.co.uk Bookings enquires can be made by contacting us on Facebook/ email (bookings@bentleyridingschool.com) / phone (07881375210).
• Please be honest about your riding ability for your own safety.
• Your Instructor remains the right to change your lesson/hack type or horse based on your initial assessment when mounted.
• A group lesson is a minimum of 3 people £35.
• If there are only two people the lesson will be reduced to 45 minutes, if there is only one person the lesson will be for half an hour at the same price.
• Hacks will run regardless for an hour.
• If you do need to cancel please do so as soon as possible so your horse isn’t left stood waiting.
• It is the client’s responsibility to check your bookings each time you come.

Cancellation Policy 

• Please note our cancellation policy for lessons is currently 24 hours, if you cancel your lesson within this period you will not get a refund of any kind, the same thing applies if you wish to edit a lesson within 24 hours of your lesson taking place.
• If you wish to cancel or edit outside of this period you will be refunded in account credit. Some of our activities may have a different policy so please ensure you read our refund policy below.
• All bookings must be made in advance and paid for in full at the time of booking to secure the session. Payment may be made by credit or debit card. You will pay a £1.00 booking fee and this is non refundable. The price you will pay will be displayed when you proceed to checkout not at the Basket.
• Wow Design Solutions Limited trading as EC Pro is unable to issue refunds and will only issue customer account credit in accordance with the refund and cancellation policy of the EC Pro system.
• Customers may be able to access a refund by contacting Bentley Riding School.
• Please contact us by emailbookings@bentleyridingschool.com if you need assistance.

Age limits:

• Pony club half day minimum age 5.
• All day pony club minimum age 7 +.
• Tiny Tot minimum age recommend 2 years to 5 years old.
• One hour lessons for your children only at the discretion from the instructor after starting out on half hour lessons.

Vouchers:

• One year expiry, from date of issue.
• Non refundable.
• Non replaceable.
• Should the value of the voucher not be used in its entirety, then the remainder can be used against another booking.
• Vouchers must be presented at the time of your ride.

Bentley Riding School

Mission Statement

Today the primary focus of all riding school establishments is, quite rightly, on the safety of clients, and working practices and teaching methods must be conducted accordingly.

As a British Horse Society Approved Centre, and ranked by DEFRA and the Local Authority as a five star (top ranking) establishment, our aims are as follows:

• To provide a happy and safe as possible place for children of all ages, and a friendly, informal relationship with their parents.
• To teach them to ride: from the earliest leading rein stage, progressing to correct riding school drill in the indoor arena and the ability to ride at all paces in the lovely woods adjoining the riding school. With no need to ride on the roads.
• To encourage them to love the ponies, help to care for them and be confident around them.
• To achieve this to a large extent though the BHS pony stars scheme which caters for children at all experience levels.
• To teach adults to ride with balance and empathy for the horse, so that they can enjoy the classes in the indoor arena and the woodland rides. Glorious in the spring when the bluebells are out, ideal for those who love to be in the countryside for a happy trek in a beautiful woodland.