Riding centre goes all out for birthday

A RIDING School in Clevedon is expanding a year before it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

For 39 years Clevedon Riding Centre has been teaching people of all ages and abilities to ride horses, and to ensure it keeps going for at least the same length of time again, the centre has expanded to be able to offer more facilities.

Based in Clevedon Lane, off Nortons Wood Lane, the centre has always had an outdoor arena for jumping, but it now also boasts a 20m wide and 44m long indoor arena, which visitors will be able to use all year round, and will soon have two lecture and two viewing rooms.

Sandra Manners took over the running of the family business from her mum Judith Sims and is helped by her husband, farmer Andy, and two sons Brent, 11, and Max, aged nine. She said: "Riding schools have generally dwindled over the years, but we want to keep going and so decided to offer more to visitors.

"The indoor arena means that people can ride whatever the weather in a safe environment and we are looking forward to opening it officially."

Clevedon Riding Centre starts teaching children at the age of four, but now wants to offer lessons to people with disabilities, as well as be able to hold children's parties, open days, pony days where people can care for the animals, and even hire out the arena to clubs for events such as dog agility.

Sandra said: "We want to provide the starting foundations for youngsters and to be able to train career students, as well as continuing to take keyholders through North Somerset Council, which encourages people to get active in sport.

"It is an ideal thing to get people out in the countryside and be with the horses."

Sandra, who competed at Badminton and Burghley in 1996 riding Clevedon Merry Lady, who herself has a huge fan club, also wants to introduce low level competitions.

She also trains horses to compete and breeds horses as well.

The centre currently has between 80-100 members, 20 riding school horse and about 15 competition horses. Anyone interested in finding out more information about the riding centre should visit www.clevedonridingcentre.co.uk or call 01275 858699.