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At the Hyde Park Riding Stables, London’s equestrian history is alive and kicking. Pearl Boyd reports
here is something about bestriding a fine horse that makes a man feel more than mortal, he has doubled in status and added to his dignity the power, the speed and the stateliness of the beautiful animal on which he is mounted. Horse riding is marvellously healthy for mind and body, it tones your thigh and buttock muscles, oxygenates your brain and it is uplifting for the spirit to connect with large animals. For hundreds of years, riding played a major part in fashionable social ritual, but in this high-tech age people stagnate hunched over their computers and squint over their kindles instead of acquiring elegant and energising accomplishments. Records show that numerous riding stables have existed in the vicinity of Hyde Park since Stuart times. One was started by Monsieur Foubert after fleeing religious persecution in France, and his establishment continued for generations. In 1900 there were at least 300,000 working horses in central London, but now there are less than 300, including the army. Apart for the odd police officer, it is unusual to see people on horseback in London today. In the past, everyone could expertly handle a mighty beast and apart from the practical advantages of getting from A to B, riding was many people’s chief recreation to relieve the stresses of life. Sedentary bank managers could do well to emulate previous generations.
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Splashing through puddles brings out romantic Dick Turpin tendencies In an article published in 1920, it was stated that an hour’s canter for a businessman before going to the office, was ‘the salvation of many a brain weary man’. Only two riding stables now remain in the centre of the city. Hyde Park Riding Stables, owned by Richard Briggs OBE, is the only one that is open all year round. It is a jolly place situated a hundred yards from the park which offers five miles of bridleways, and is open every day and in all weathers. In fact ‘foul weather riding’ enjoys surprisingly great popularity and clients return after an hour of braving bracing wind and rain with glowing complexions and rosy cheeked humour, and enthusiastically rebook for the following week. They say it does wonders for a hangover. One can only presume that splashing through puddles brings out romantic Dick Turpin tendencies, though it is just as joyful and glamorous a pastime to ride out in the spring or summer sunshine. Indeed the stables can take credit for a number of weddings between couples who have met there and many other
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