Description:

Blackdown Riding Club is situated between Midhurst and Haslemere in West Sussex at Lower House Farm, which has its own 800 acres of farm and forest for us to ride on. We have immediate access to Blackdown, a National Trust beauty spot and the highest point in the South of England, the views are spectacular and up to 40 miles on a very clear day. It was from the Temple of the Four Winds that Tennyson was inspired to write. The slopes of Lower House Farm and Blackdown are beautiful at all seasons but especially in the spring with the young chestnut and hasel leaves opening to a backdrop of bluebells. The perfume and colour are not to be missed. We also ride south to Bexley Hill and the surrounding Cowdray Park Estate, whilst longer rides take us to the South Downes, the whole area being part of the proposed South Downs National Park.

The business was started 10 years ago by keen endurance riders and has always had British Horse Society Approval. Our staff have the Ride Leader Qualification for European Equestrian Tourism so are especially trained to take riders out on the bridlepaths and tracks. We pride ourselves on our good natured horses and happy atmosphere. Many of our clients have been with us for many years and range in age from 17 to 70. We offer the ideal stress relief for workaholics, gentle hacks for mature riders and private lessons for those who wish to return to horseriding after a break

Horse owners are welcome on their own horses for escorted hacks and holidays, Endurance training and Le Trec sessions and fattening training. We provide B & B for horses and riders both at Lower House Farm and at Shotgun Cottage, South Harting where Joyce and David live. The converted barn is just off the South Downs Way and ideally situated for people riding this National Trail, joining in with a short break riding holiday or taking their horse on a Bridle Rides Holiday.

A variety of Short Break Riding Holidays are arranged to suit the clients. The most popular is a weekend where people arrive at Shotgun Cottage in time for supper on Friday evening, have a full day on Saturday, and dinner, bed and breakfast Saturday night and a 2 hour hack Sunday morning, probably staying for a light lunch at the stables before driving home.