We ride in most weather conditions.
However, for safety, we may need to cancel or change lessons at short notice if:

- Weather conditions are unsafe

- Ground conditions are unsuitable

- High winds or poor visibility make riding unsafe

We may also need to adjust lesson content to ensure the wellbeing of riders, coaches and horses.

How to Book

Booking your lessons, groups and activities is quick and simple:

Register on EC Pro
Create your account and add your rider(s). This allows you to manage bookings, payments and availability.

Choose Your Session
EC Pro will automatically display only the sessions suitable for your rider’s current ability.

Select Your Date & Time
If you’re unsure which group or lesson to choose, please speak to your coach for recommendations or progression advice.

Pay Securely Online
Payment is required at the time of booking and confirms your space. Bookings cannot be held without payment.

Payments & Cancellation Policy

We operate a strict 48-hour cancellation policy for all lessons:

More than 48 hours’ notice:
A credit is added to your EC Pro account, valid for 2 months from the date of cancellation.

Less than 48 hours’ notice:
The booking is non-refundable and not eligible for credit.

Credits cannot be extended or refunded once expired.

Refunds are only issued in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of The Orchard Equestrian Centre.

Activities, Courses & Events

Please note:

No refunds or credits are given for the cancellation of
activities, courses, camps, clinics or seasonal events,
due to advance preparation and limited availability.

Booking System Notes

- Each rider must be individually registered on EC Pro

- Sessions shown on your calendar are based on the rider’s ability

- Spaces cannot be held without payment

- Credits must be used before expiry

Your coach can advise you when your rider is ready to move up a level

Group Sessions

- Group sessions start from £40 for 60 minutes

- Groups are kept small (3–6 riders) for safety & quality

- Beginner, intermediate, dressage and jumping groups available

- Activity prices vary depending on the session

Monthly Schedule

To view our monthly timetable of:

- Group sessions

- Hacks

- Activities

- Events

Please follow our Facebook page:
The Orchard Equestrian Centre
…and join our Members Group for regular updates.

All riders must wear:

- A correctly fitted, current-standard riding helmet

- Full-length trousers or leggings

- Strong, supportive boots with a small 1-inch heel

- Weather-appropriate clothing (e.g., warm layers in winter)

- We no longer offer helmet hire.
Riders must bring their own properly fitted riding helmet.

Not permitted on or near the yard:

Trainers or sandals

Shorts or skirts

Flat-soled shoes
Anyone wearing unsuitable clothing will not be permitted to ride or enter the yard.

For the welfare of our horses and ponies, we operate a maximum rider weight limit of 13 stone (82kg).

We ask all riders to be honest about their weight.
We reserve the right to weigh riders discreetly using our on-site scales.
If a rider exceeds the weight limit, we may need to refuse riding for horse welfare.

To ensure safety, please inform us of any:

- Medical conditions

- Learning needs

- Behavioural needs

- Disabilities

- Injuries

This information is treated confidentially and helps us support your rider appropriately and safely.

We welcome riders with a variety of additional needs.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare suitable support and ensure a positive, safe experience.

Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your session to allow time for checking in and preparing safely. Please arrive on time for your session.
Late arrivals may result in reduced riding time, and missed time cannot be refunded or credited.

Children must be supervised by a parent/carer when not riding.
Please do not leave children unattended on the yard.

Group Sessions start from £40 for 60 minutes, with options for:

Beginners

Intermediate riders

Dressage groups

Jumping groups

Groups are limited to 2- 4 riders to ensure safety and high-quality coaching.

Prices for activities vary depending on the session.

Our booking system will only show sessions suitable for your rider’s ability.
If you're unsure which group is right, please speak to your coach for guidance or progression advice.

Horses and ponies are allocated by coaches based on:

- Rider ability

- Rider size

- Safety considerations

- The horse's workload and welfare

Requests may be considered but cannot be guaranteed.

All personal information is stored securely and used only for:

- Bookings

- Safety

- Communication

We comply fully with GDPR regulations.

To keep our horses, riders, visitors and staff safe, we ask that everyone follows the yard rules at all times. These guidelines help maintain a calm, organised and welfare-focused environment.

Staff-Only Areas

For safety reasons, the main yard is a staff-only area.
Please do not wander down the yard, approach horses in stables or enter any restricted zones unless invited by a member of staff.

Spectators & Parents

All spectators and parents/carers must:

- Report to reception on arrival

- Remain in the designated spectator area during lessons

- Avoid entering the yard, stable areas or walkways unless accompanied by staff

This ensures horses remain calm and coaches can work safely with riders.

Tacking Up & Horse Handling

Only the rider booked into the session and authorised staff may handle or tack up horses.
Spectators should not:

- Touch, move or alter tack

- Approach horses without permission

- Enter stables or tie-up areas

Our team will supervise all horse handling for everyone’s safety and welfare.

General Yard Conduct

To keep our yard calm and enjoyable:

- No running, shouting or loud noises

- No feeding horses without staff permission

- Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times

- Stay within visitor areas unless guided by staff

- Keep gateways, paths and fire exits clear

- Follow all coach and staff instructions promptly

Footwear & Clothing

For safety, all visitors must wear sensible, closed-toe footwear when on-site.
Children or adults wearing sandals, trainers or open footwear may be asked to remain in the spectator area.

Why These Rules Matter

These rules help us protect:

- The welfare of our horses

- The safety of riders, staff and spectators

- The calm, supportive atmosphere we are known for

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and professional environment.

Thank you for taking the time to read through our information and guidelines.
Everything we do at The Orchard is centred around safety, welfare, kindness and community, and your support helps us maintain the calm, welcoming environment we are proud of.

We truly appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to create the best possible experience for our riders, families and horses.

If you ever have any questions, concerns or need guidance, please speak to a member of our friendly team - we are always here to help.

We look forward to seeing you at The Orchard soon.