Wapley Riding Stables

I’ve been having some confidence issues with my riding, but the instructors here have been so incredibly understanding and reassuring. They never push and always make sure I’m comfortable with what we’re doing. And their patience is saintly!It makes such a difference to the lessons to feel so secure in who is teaching you.Highly recommend this stables!

I have just started learning to ride at Wapley and I have found the whole team to be so very welcoming, warm and supportive and the instructors guidance really supports your learning experience especially as an adult learner.The horses I have met are just gorgeous and obviously very well loved and content and have already a big soft spot for them all.Can't highly recommend enough. If you have always fancied trying to learn to ride you cannot be in better hands.

My parents paid for both my daughters to have an individual private lesson at the same time as a birthday present. I made a point of booking Lucy for my eldest daughter as she has a higher qualification of teaching. I was called 1.5 hours before to say that there had been a mistake on the system and Lucy should not have been down to teach.After lots of upset from my girls and lots of changing of minds we settled on a shared lesson which is not ideal as my youngest is still on lead rein.When we arrived I asked where I could walk our dog and wandered off with my son for a walk. I was shortly called back and told I had to lead rein my youngest despite me telling them that I was really poorly - it turns out I have covid.After several email and no real acceptance of error I have managed to get a refund for the difference in cost but only by also having our account terminated. I have not heard back from the manager and not been given the manager’s name. I have independently found out that the manager is in fact Lucy and she was in the yard during the girls’ lesson.I am really not happy. The girls did not get value for money. This is not the first time we have been disappointed with the service and we will not be returning.

We contacted Wapley riding stables back in April as our daughter wanted to start riding lessons. Our daughter is quite shy and can be nervous when in a new environment. At thetime she had never been riding before. On her first lesson we found all of the staff extremely friendly and really put her at ease,. Fast forward to now (October) and we can't quite believe how far our daughter has progressed. She has become very confident in riding, her love for horses has increased and on a personal note she has turned into a very confident 7year old. I honestly believe the weekly lessons at Wapley have helped her believe in herself.The instructors are wonderful and really have a great way in teaching children how to learn to ride and be confident. All staff are friendly and make you feel welcome when you arrive.

Arrived in good time for our 2 pm lesson on 01.04.23 and waited till 2.12pm for lesson to start after a retack of the pony and not including a change of paddocks due to one of the paddocks being water logged. Very little instruction in a shared small paddock with another rider. Reluctant pony that had to be pushed on by the instructor with a lunging whip. Lesson finished at 2.30. When I asked why the instructor said she had timed the lesson and I said we had started at 2.12pm. Her response was to walk off without replying. Not only did we not get 30 mins ( I am aware of the getting pony, walking to paddock and mounting in the lesson although this is not clear on booking form), no introduction by instructor to either of us and barely any instruction during the lesson. This was not the first time this had happened. Not in my opinion a lesson and certainly not value for money at £43 for 30 mins and we will not be returning. And this was a Birthday present for my grand daughter so very disappointing.

I’ve been coming to wapley for 11 years. Everyone here is so lovely and helpful, and the horses looked like they cared for and loved by everyone.Jo in the office is amazing and helps as much as she can.Lucy also is very accommodating and wants to get your riding to the best ability at can.I’ve been to previous other riding schools and none of them top this one. I highly recommend Wapley!

A lovely stable with instructors who are more than happy to help. The stable is accessible to all age groups and has the horses to accommodate. The pictures below are, what I think to be, the main arena. Behind this are some grassy areas.

My daughter has been coming here for about 3 months and absolutely loves it. She’s had group and individual lessons with a number of teachers and all have given fantastic advice and offered a great learning experience. She’s already moved up to level one and that’s because the teachers offer great advice and really care about making sure she has the skills she needs. During this time she has fallen and both jo and the teacher were amazing. Calm, collected and keen to make sure she was not harmed. Even called me a few days later to make sure she was ok. Requests to change times of lessons, horse or teacher has always been met with the view to help. I’ve ever had a problem getting hold of anyone and am enjoying getting to know the team at wapley better. Thank you team Wapley, can’t wait to see my daughter to progress even further under your guidance, you never know I may even be inclined to get a lesson or two myself!

Initially found them good - the girls who do the lessons seem lovely.There isn’t anywhere decent to wait if you have travelled and have a younger child attending, so myself and her siblings had to stand around in the cold and wet.However, my real problem arose when my daughter was taken ill the day before a booked lesson.I tried to call and email on that day, one day before, and got no response so left a message. The system for contacting them is not very functional.When I eventually got a response nearly a week later, I was curtly told that I hadn’t given 48 hours’ notice of cancellation. I pointed out that I hadn’t known my daughter would be ill 48 hours before.They refused this point and offered me to rebook as a “good will gesture on this occasion” but refused me a refund.Still don’t have a decent explanation as to why I should be penalised for my daughter becoming unwell. I personally prefer cash to credits and have decided I’d rather not return here so they have my money through no fault of my own and have been less than warm or polite.Book at your own peril - of you are happy to forfeit what is not an insignificant fee should your child or you have the audacity to develop a sore throat and fever.

This is the best riding school I have ever been to. I absolutely love it here! All of the teachers are lovely and really helpful, the horses are adorable and well behaved. The riding level is great and the whole experience is very respectful and professional. :)