Group Lesson Timetable

🐴 Group Riding Lessons

Learn together • Build confidence • Make friends • Have fun

Group riding lessons are a fantastic way to develop your riding, build confidence and enjoy time in the saddle alongside other riders of a similar ability.

At Smugglers Equestrian Centre, our group lessons cater for a wide range of riders, from complete beginners taking their first steps into riding through to confident children and advanced adult riders.

⭐ Grouped by Riding Ability

Our group lessons are organised by rider grade, rather than simply by age.

This helps us place riders with others working at a similar level, allowing our instructors to plan lessons that are appropriate, enjoyable and progressive for the whole group.

As your riding develops, your instructor can update your grade, opening up different sessions and opportunities.

🌱 Children's Beginner Groups – 30 Minutes

Our 30-minute children's beginner groups are designed for riders who are new to riding or are still developing their basic skills.

These sessions may work on:
• Correct position and balance
• Starting, stopping and steering
• Developing confidence in the saddle
• Riding independently
• Walk and introductory trot work
• Rising trot
• Basic school movements
• Learning how to ride safely around other horses and ponies

As riders become more confident and capable, they can progress through our grading system and move into the appropriate next-level sessions.

🐴 Children's Hour Group Lessons

Once children have progressed to beginner canter level and above, they can join our hour-long children's group lessons.

The additional riding time allows our instructors to develop more advanced exercises and skills depending on the grade of the group.

Lessons can include flatwork, canter work, poles, jumping, position and balance exercises, transitions, school movements and confidence-building exercises.

Higher-grade groups will work on increasingly technical exercises appropriate to their ability.

No two lessons need to be exactly the same — our instructors can vary the sessions to keep riders learning, progressing and enjoying their riding.

🌱 Adult Beginner Groups – 30 Minutes

Never ridden before? Returning after many years away? Or simply want to take things steadily?

Our 30-minute adult beginner groups provide a friendly introduction to riding alongside other adults at a similar stage.

Sessions concentrate on establishing the basics, including balance, position, control, steering, walk and trot, while gradually developing confidence and independence.

They're a great way to discover riding without feeling as though you need any previous experience.

⭐ Adult Beginner Hour Groups

For adults who would like a longer session, we also offer one-hour adult beginner groups.

These provide more time in the saddle to practise and consolidate the basics, develop confidence and work towards the next stage of your riding.

They can also be perfect for adults returning to riding who remember the basics but want time to rebuild their confidence and riding fitness.

🏇 Adult Advanced Hour Groups

For our more experienced adult riders, our one-hour advanced group lessons provide the opportunity to work on more developed riding skills in a sociable group environment.

Depending on the level of the group, lessons may incorporate flatwork, lateral work, poles, canter exercises, jumping, technical exercises and preparation for competitions or other riding goals.

These sessions are a great combination of quality coaching, progression and the social side of riding.

Lesson Questions

📅 Weekly Group Lesson Timetable

We run a fantastic selection of children’s and adult group riding lessons Monday to Saturday, from complete beginners and our youngest riders through to confident canter, jumping and advanced adult groups.

All sessions are organised by rider grade, helping to ensure riders are riding with others of a similar ability and working towards appropriate learning goals.

FAQ