horse riding surrey

After stumbling across this place on Facebook, I read all the reviews here and also what they offered on their website and decided to give it a try as it has so many excellent reviews and they offer so many various activities. The prices are better than most for the area (although I like the prices in Wales - much more sensible at under £20/hour!). Booking was a bit odd as they do not have a phone number on their website. I emailed them and Jason got back to me promptly and offered me a spot on a 2-hour hack on Saturday. I tried later to find a phone number as I had some questions. I only found a mobile number on Tripadvisor. I was happy to fill in the riding form and pay them via Paypal. It was actually very efficient. The place is in the true countryside so you really need a car! I looked up buses and none stop near by. The nearest bus stop I could find was Cranleigh - this is the first reason I wanted to call them to ask for a bus route number and stop. However, there was no number. I emailed Jason and asked for a number for a local cab company. He couldn't give me one. He said cabs from Guildford were £12. However, this is NOT the case. Cabs from the Guildford or Godalming train station to the stables will cost at least £20 each way. Most are around £24 and some of those companies try to stick you for £30!!! I know as I called at least 6!!!So go by car or be prepared to walk or cycle to the stables unless you want to pay nearly as much for your taxis as the actual ride (or more if you are only going for one hour). I went to Godalming train station as it was closer so I was hoping for a cheaper cab. I got to the station and the place across from the station wanted to charge me £22 to go 6 miles!! Then, when I was about to give up hope, I went to order a cab and there were none. I then, thankfully, somehow found the stable's landline number on the net and told them my situation. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to go! However, thankfully the stable was very kind and someone came and picked me up. I was so grateful!!! So, I got to the stable and was introduced to my horse. The lady in charge put me on Eden. She was a thoroughbred ex-racehorse. She was a beautiful, fit girl, who was so small-boned. Eden had actually won at least a few races. What a beauty! She was so petite with tiny hooves. She was a lovely girl standing patiently in the yard. I almost got put on one of the others but was switched to Eden. I was with two other ladies getting ready for a riding holiday. They hadn't ridden in a while but all knew how to ride. We had an excellent guide and set out on our two-hour hack. These horses are fit!!! We started out and had some nice trots and canters. You could tell these horses would go if you asked them. Our guide took us on an amazing route and the countryside there is peaceful and scenic. I was incredibly impressed and the awful journey to get there was totally wiped out. Eden was a polite, happy horse that tried hard to please you. It was so funny seeing these beautiful, delicate ex-racers taking on the steep hilly trails. I am used to seeing the big cobs and other trekking ponies going on this kind of terrain. So we went for our ride and some of the horses got excited and did small bucks. Fortunately the ladies riding them didn't flinch. I was very impressed. My girl didn't do any of this. She just kept up.In the end, the guide said, "ok we are going to let the horses go" and we had a short gallop. The boy horses on the ride loved it and really went for it! We then went back home and I gave Eden her well-earned apple and polos!Then I was kindly given a ride back to Guildford train station which saved a lot of money. I am so grateful for a ride each way. So, I can happily say I had an amazing experience at this place and will indeed come back as they offer many exciting experiences and fit, well-trained horses. I would say though a) if you are not experienced at walk, trot, canter and gallop - you must tell them so they know! Around London and the inner parts of Surrey a lot of the "hacking" is a nice walk and trot in the park or the bridleway. This, however, is real riding, so be prepared for the horse to potentially run. Also, if you don't have a car, be prepared to pay through the nose for a taxi or be prepared to walk/ride your bicycle from a train station or bus stop. Finally it would be nice if they put their number on their website because if you have a question or are running late you will not be able to get in touch with them. I am so fortunate I found their number on a random Yahoo! search result.To summarise: I loved my experience here and would indeed recommend and come again!

I’ve ridden a couple of times recently at Horse Riding Surrey and have had a fantastic experience each time. The horses are wonderful; well mannered, all look in excellent condition and are certainly not your average riding school mounts. The staff are friendly, informed and helpful and the yard owner Alex is often on-hand for advice. The countryside is spectacular and a two-hour hack takes you across an undulating landscape, with scope for a good canter. 5 stars! Excellent.

I went on a two hour hack today - Sunday March 1st 2015 - at Horse Riding Surrey based at Cranleigh near Guildford. Everything was very good indeed. Warm and friendly welcome from Alex the owner and similar from our guide Ian. The horses are clearly not the usual riding school types - here the majority are ex racehorses and ex/current hunters and eventers. The surrounding countryside is undulating, mostly woodlands and extremely scenic so perfect for riding out. Ian was an excellent guide, extremely friendly, chatty and full of horsey stories. Today I had JB a beautiful mount well schooled and ready to trot and canter at ease. Recommended

Went with 3 friends to experience the Gallops on Horse Riding Surrey's ex race-horses. Horrid weather, but it didn't dull our enthusiasm (or the horses'). I much enjoyed our 'blast' on the all-weather track. I was well-matched with my lovely horse Eden: thank you Alex.

Wonderful horses, nice staff and beautiful countryside. You have to be very honest about your ability; managing a headstrong horse wanting to trot down a very steep hill, slippy and six inch deep in thick mud... is not easy! It was ok but we set off half an hour late and it was way overpriced. £60 for a two hour hack that set off half an hour late is not cool... I would pay £45 at most, but £40 would be fair. I would go again but only if they reduced their prices.

I have read all the reviews about that place, and my turn came to go last saturday !!so I was very disappointed when I woke up on saturday and saw the snow falling !!!!but soon after 09,00 an email from Alex reassured me that it was OK to go,,,so went to the yard and after a short trip in the lorry, at last I was therewas riding Brook, my favourite horse !!he was quite excited to be on familiar grounds, and as soon as we approached the track he was ready to go !!we trotted on the first lap. had a " steady " canter on the 2nd, and the 3rd one was the REAL one,Brook could not wait to show me how fast he could go !! what a bliss, not for the faint hearted, but for a confident rider it is an exhilarating experience which, no doubt, I would like to be part again !!many thanks to Alex and Brook

An almost once in a lifetime opportunity to ride a quality ex race horse/eventer/hunter at top speed on a soft, straight, long, fast track. The other reviewers have really done the experience justice. Quite memorable, if a little 'extreme sport'. Talk about horse power! I'd just echo MarkFJ's advice; you need to be a lot more than a regular Sunday hacker. Yes, all the clients could canter and looked fine in the saddle, but when those horses start to jiggle left, right and up and down with all the excitement, you need a confidence and secure seat that comes from a fair few hours on something more than your average school cob. This is no criticism of the HRS horses which were fabulous and actually remarkably sensible and quite manageable considering. Thanks to Alex for organising this and juggling us into safe pairs for the final blast. I'll be booking a much needed lesson soon :)

Sat 17 Jan 15, Alex and Jason March from Horseriding Surrey, at Painshill Farm Stables treated us to an amazing day of well organised fast gallops on the all-weather at Coombelands. Holly Golding from The Riding Club London did all the organising beforehand which meant that on the day all I had to do was turn up. 6 horses arrived fully tacked and ready to go. I rode Brooke, 9 yr old gelding with a successful racing career behind him, he was relaxed, knew his job and well able to push it out over the hills and bends with lots of pace and clean action. Other mounts (Crimson, Eden, Dougall and JB) were ex race horses / hunters / eventers. The day was frosty and bright - just what you need to blow out the cobwebs. Holly treated us to a well deserved lunch at the White Hart afterwards. Jason acted as photographer on the day so we have endless memories to share.

On Saturday I took the opportunity to have my first experience of going on a professional stables all weather gallops in Pulborough. Famous to the Harwood dynasty. I have to say what an amazing few hours we all had despite the weather be very changeable. this didn't matter to me as we started in the rain and our final gallop finished with a rainbow.We were on the all weather surface 3 times in all. starting with a trot on the first run. The 2nd was a canter/gallop. the final one was a gallop at full blast.After each blast you have a mile to walk on the road back to the start which is good as the horse and rider need a rest....... it is a good way to chat to the others and get there thoughts and find out about each other. it is really socialble. I wish there was coffee shop on hand to have a drink after.......The feeling the horse gives you is incredible and it is so soft underfoot. They love it as much as you. I rode JB a hunter who is fairly new to the yard. He was fantastic. big strong and had a real turn of foot. He was a complete gent and took some pulling up even on the 3rd gallop. I would highly recommend him and I will be riding him again soon. The fastest horse on the day was Brook ( and the quirkiest ). I am going to lose some weight to ride him I hope one day .......I was very lucky that the group of 3 other riders were all exceptional so you do not feel you are holding anyone up. Hats off to the stable staff from HRS which was led by Ella with her colleague Sarah on hand also.They gave complete reassurance as this is not for the faint hearted.If you are planning to do this in my opinion you must be a confident, self assured rider, as the gallop is approx. 3/4 mile long and the horses will RACE.Go and enjoy as it will quite simply take your breath away.A 10/10 experience.Mark from Findon Valley

I've ridden locally (Kingston/Richmond) but found many places to be expensive and restrictive. Horse Riding Surrey are reasonably priced (for riding!), were very friendly, relaxed and have fantastic horses. The countryside is beautiful and the ride was just a great experience.

I have ridden with Horse Riding Surrey twice before on Groupon deals, 2 hour hacks. Thanks to Groupon I have stumbled apon an AMAZING place. Such beautiful countryside and fun horses hand picked for me - which really suited me and my riding style. Alex (owner) is so friendly and her husband (Stuart?) is always ready to capture your moment with his sharp photography skills! I have just booked a trip out with them to race gallops in West Sussex... REALLY excited!! It is expensive, but horse riding is these days, so I don't think unreasonable. And you WILL have a fantastic time to remember!! I will keep going back.

Very friendly staff who are very helpful and relaxed, stunning scenery out on the hack, very good horses, lovely surrounding area

A lovely riding experience with imaginative hacks, beach rides and sponsored events with an enthusiastic owner and staff.The best in the south region.

My sister and I have ridden at Horse Riding Surrey several times and have been thrilled at both the standard of the horses and the gorgeous scenery experienced on the hacks. Some yards can come across as quite unfriendly when you are new to them but we have always been warmly greeted and made to feel very welcome every time we've ridden there. The horses are willing but safe and I have felt privileged to ride them. Looking forward to another hack next weekend and perhaps a day-ride in the near future.

At last! After many years of trying out different yards and finding them often unfriendly, disorganised and largely incapable of mastering modern tools of communication - along comes Alex Marsh and the marvellous Horse Riding Surrey. Phew.If you are looking for that elusive yard that has quality horses and doesn't treat you like a second class citizen for not being an owner - look no further, you've found it.The horses are quality both in breeding and schooling, the tack clean and well looked after and everything runs like clockwork. Arriving on the yard for the first time and on my own, everyone took the time to say hello and make sure I was looked after and felt welcome. This is despite it being an incredibly busy morning, with horses, helpers and escorts simultaneously getting ready for a day ride, hacks, lessons and hunting.For myself, I was one of the hunt party (drag hunting - i.e. blood hounds following people) and had the pleasure of riding the wonderful J.B. Beautifully turned out, fit and a hunt schoolmaster - I couldn't have asked for better experience as a novice to a jumping hunt. Alex and lovely volunteer helper Leo, couldn't have done any more to make my day a happy one, I'll be going back as soon as possible and bringing friends.