Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2013 | Page 80

EQUESTRIAN

All ages
can enjoy
riding fun
The emphasis is very much on having
fun while learning to ride for youngsters
and adults alike at the new-look Trotters
Riding Stables at Ashey Road, Ryde.
Matt Legge and his wife Charlotte,
along with yard manager Cheryl Cundall
have taken over the running of the
stables, and their aim is to offer lessons
and enjoyment for riders of all ages.
The team having been working
overtime behind the scenes to line up
activities throughout the whole of the
summer holidays. Matt explained: “The
idea is to take the kids’ off parents’
or guardians’ hands so they can come
along and have some fun in a safe
environment. The children have also had
their say on what they want to see and
do – everything from summer camp to
four-hour rides- and that is really good.
“There are also such activities as a
horseback treasure hunt, which is very
popular with some of the smaller kids.
They stay in the fields, looking for suc h
things as a feather or a daisy, rather than
go out on the roads, which is followed
by an ice cream and a picnic.”
Charlotte said: “We also do such things
as a ride for the brave and a ride for the
not-so-brave – our aim is to provide
80

www.visitislandlife.com

something for all abilities throughout
the whole of the summer holiday, so
that no one feels left out. There is also
a room where they can come in and sit
down and draw pictures, or learn about
stable management. But the last thing
we want is for the kids to think they
have gone back to school in the middle
of the summer holidays.”
Matt said: “Obviously there are some
children who come here who have
been involved in stables for almost as
long as they have been walking. But
it is important for us to gauge their
knowledge and experience from a health
and safety point of view.”
Youngsters can start riding from the
age of four at Trotters, but they have
to be eight for more ‘out and about’
activities. And with the introduction
of horses alongside the 15 ponies at
Trotters it provides the opportunity for
adults to enjoy the experience of riding,
and interest has been keen.
Matt said: “I think some adults like
to come down here to discover what
riding is all about in a quiet, peaceful
atmosphere rather than in front of an
‘audience’. If someone doesn’t have that
much confidence with horses, then this