Equestrians?

I know this topic has been brought up before, but searching through the archives it seems to have been a while!

So, here it is again - does anyone know any good places for horseback riding in London? Whilst in the US, I was jumping and riding dressage. I had my own horse until I went to college, and then moved states and had a trainer who had her own horses, and also got to know the people of the barn and rode friend's horses.

So, here I am now, three years into living in London, and still no place to ride. I've tried Trent Park in North London, and also Kingston and Wimbledon, however I find those places to be very touristy and just for people who want the occasional ride. They're also insanely expensive. I'm looking for a smaller more private barn.

Any suggestions? Or any other horse people out there? I'm so deprived...sigh...

I've only ridden at Trent Park (twice now). I agree that it seemed pretty touristy, but I had a pretty good lesson there, so I think they do know their stuff.

I think for the smaller private barn you'd have to go outside of London, probably towards Surrey. I haven't explored barns down that way, though, because it would take me forever and a day to get there.

I live in Wimbledon Village and they have several stables.  They are absolutely not catering to tourists -- these are proper riders from what I have seen.

I would take a second look.

Brilliant. I live near Wimbledon, however every time I check online I only get results for that Wimbledon Village riding place, which is not quite what I'm looking for.

There is a stable on the Ridgway, next to the Swan pub.  I think the cross road is Hillside.  I don't know the name and I don't think they are on the internet, so you may want to pay them a visit.  If they aren't what you are looking for, then you might be able to get a recommendation.

You may want to email your local BHS (or British Eventing/British Dressage) rep.  LOTS of stables are not online, and I've found the best way to find them is to ask the local reps for whatever discipline you're interested in.
And just keep calling. Good luck!

I think for the smaller private barn you'd have to go outside of London, probably towards Surrey. I haven't explored barns down that way, though, because it would take me forever and a day to get there.

Surrey is not far from you E!  I live on the very far edge of Surrey and can be in London in 35 minutes on the train.  Venture out this way - I've seen tons of stables and horse riders (er... equestrians) around here.

I'd try contacting the British Equestrian Federation:

http://www.bef.co.uk/Facilities_and_Clubs