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Riding @ Leweston
EquestrianismhasalonghistoryatLeweston.In 1948whentheSeniorSchoolmovedtoLeweston ManorthepupilsusedtheformerCoachHouse stablestohouseponies Sadlyovertheyears horsesleftthesitebutthepupilscontinuedto rideandtheschoolhasbuiltaconsiderable reputationinnationalschoolsequestrian competition.
TheLewestonequestrianteamhaswonthe NationalSchoolsEquestrianAssociation(NSEA) RegionalPointsLeagueforthesixyearsinarow andin2023and2024gainedthemostpointsof anycompetingschoolinthecountry. Ithasbeentheambitionofthecurrent Headmaster,JohnPaget-Tomlinson,toreturn horsestotheLewestonsiteandinNovember 2024weopenedourbrand-new,purposebuilt equestriancentre HometotheLeweston ChedingtonRidingAcademythecentreprovides stablingfor20horses,afloodlitOlympic-sized outdoorarena,turnoutpaddocksandteaching room
TheAcademywillbeofferinglessons,liveryand loanstopupilsofallagesandabilitiesaswellas developingtheschool’smoreambitious, competitionriders.Itwillalsobesupportingthe integrationofequestrianismintothecurriculum andworkingwithotheracademicdepartmentsto introducehorsestoeveryone
Chedington Equestrian
TheAcademyisincrediblyfortunatetobe partneredwithChedingtonEquestrian. Chedingtonisaworld-classfacilityandhometo internationalandOlympiccompetitors.The centreboastsanelitecross-countrytraining course,surfacedcross-countryarenaandwarmup,full-sizedressageandshowjumpingarenas, indoorarena,rehabilitationfacilitiesandelite leveltraining.
ThegenerosityofChedington’sownersDrandMrs Guyallowstheschoolteamaccesstoafacility usedbysomeofthebestcompetitiveridersinthe world.
Life in the Yard
PupilsarewelcomeattheYardduringitsformal openinghoursandareencouragedtotakeahands-on approachtolearningabouthorsesandtheircare.The yardhasarelaxedandencouragingatmospherewhich isdesignedtofeeldifferenttothetraditionalschool environment
Timetable
Hay, feed, stables, turnout
Boarders breakfast
Arrival
School Starts
School Ends
Riding lessons exercise, training
Evening stables
Boarders Supper
Lessons @ Leweston
Weofferridinglessonsforallabilitiesbothon schoolhorsesandforthosepupilswhohavetheir own.Lessonsaretypicallyheldatlunchtimes, after-schoolandatweekendsbutmaybe arrangedaspartofthePEtimetableorinstudy periods(forSixthFormers).Ourexperienced instructorsfocusonstrongfundamental techniquesbuildingtoindividualdevelopment plansformoreadvancedriders
Mostlessonsareindividualbuttherearesome smallgroupsessionsavailablewithridersofa similarstandard.Lessonsareofferedonaweekly basisandbookedperterm.
IntheSeniorSchooltheDevelopmentProgramme offersapackageoftwolessonsandonestable managementlessonperweek.
Formoreadvancedridersthereistheopportunity totrainwithspecialistcoaches
The Riding Academy
TheLewestonChedingtonRidingAcademy supportspupilswhowanttotaketheirridingtothe nextstage.Itsupportsanddevelopscompetition experienceandaccesstothehighestlevelsof coachingexpertise MembersoftheAcademyare mentoredbytheDirectorofRiding,MrsLorraine Robertswhoprovidestrainingsessionsthroughout thetermandsupportspupilsatteamcompetitions.
TeamsareselectedfromAcademymembersto competeregularlyinNSEA(NationalSchools EquestrianAssociation),BritishShowJumping, BritishEventingandBritishDressageevent.
TheAcademysquadisselectedfromriderswhoare keentocompetefortheschoolatGrassRootslevel (40cm-70cm)andSeniorlevel(70-1.20m)inshow jumping,dressage,arenaeventingandODE's.
RiderscanqualifyforNationalChampionshipsat HicksteadandAddington
Trainingforcompetitionstakesplacethroughout thetermaspartofweeklytrainingsessionsforthe ridingsquad.Thismightalsoinvolvetrainingwith disciplinespecialistsfromoutsideoftheschool.
Academypupilsareexpectedtoparticipatein ridinglessonsandcontributetotheequestrianlife oftheschool
Saddle Club
AllusersoftheRidingAcademyincludingtheNSEA squad,ponycaregroupsandgeneralridinglessons becomemembersoftheLCRASaddleClubwhichis chargedat£15peryear.Themoneyraisedfrom SaddleClubmembershipisusedtosupportevents, buyadditionalequipmentandimprovefacilities. Membersreceiveapinbadgetowearontheir uniform
Livery @ Leweston
IfyouareinYear5orupwardsyoumaybringyour ownhorsetoLeweston TheRidingAcademyhas10 stablesavailableforpupils’horseswhocanjoinon afull,partorworkingliverybasis.
Loans @ Leweston
Pupilsmayapplyforaloanhorseandwillhavea ridingassessmentduringthefirstweekofterm, followingwhichtheywillbeallocatedahorseif thereisasuitablehorseavailableatthetime Once youhavebeenallocatedaloanhorse,youwillbe responsibleforthecareofthishorseorponyduring termtime.Youmusthelpmuckout,etcinthe morningsandeveningsandwillbeabletoride daily(max.6timesaweek).Youmustfollowthe Academyrulesforridingyourloanhorsewhen ridingandexercisingit Ridinglessonswillcharged toschoolaccounts.Ifyouandyourhorseareofa suitablestandard,youwillbeabletotakeyour horsetocompetitions.Wehaveaverylimited numberofloanhorsesavailableforcompeting,and wouldrecommendthatriderswhoare competitivelyambitiousbringtheirownhorse.
Learn @ Leweston
Aweeklyafter-schoolstablemanagementclub offerspupilsinYears7to13theopportunityto spendtimeattheAcademytolearnabouthorse care.
Wearrangespeakers,stablemanagementand equinemanagementtalks,visitsandadditional performanceenhancingworkshops.
BTECEquineManagement
LewestonoffertwoacademiccoursesinSixthForm forpupilswhowanttotaketheirpassionforhorses further:
BTECLevel3ExtendedCertificate(Equivalentto oneALevel)or
BTECExtendedDiploma(EquivalenttothreeA Levels)
TheExtendedCertificateoffersanengaging programmetostudentswhowantacareerinthe equinesectorandcanpreparelearnersforarange ofapprenticeshipsintheequinesectoror progressiontoarangeofhighereducationcourses
TheExtendedDiplomaisequivalenttothreeA Levelsandwillnormallybetheonlyqualificationin atwo-yearstudyprogramme.Thisqualification servesaspreparationforahighereducation course Thisroutegiveslearnerstheopportunityto enterthesectoratahigherlevel,orinamore specialistrole.
Wehavetwospecialistteacherswhodeliverthe coursessupportedbyarangeofexternal specialists.
Little Ones @ Leweston
Toensurethatoursmallestpupilsarenotleftout theNurserychildrenareabletovisitthestableson aregularbasis Hippo,ourShetland,isaparticular favourite
LewestonalsorunsaweeklyPony-PreSchoolfor childrenaged2to5yearsold.Thesessionsoffersa gentleintroductiontohorsesandthechildrenlearn aboutgrooming,stablecareandhavethe opportunitytorideoneofourponies.
Equestrian Boarding
FormanyboarderstheAcademymeanstheycan bringtheirhorsetoschoolwiththem,forothersit meansregularridingoropensuptheopportunity tolearntorideforthefirsttime
Boardershavetheadvantageoflivingonsitewith thehorseswhichmeanstheyhaveregularaccessto thestables.Boarderscanhelplookafterthehorses bothbeforeandafterschool,whethertheyhave theirownhorsethereornot.Theycanalsospend timeattheAcademyatweekends Theflood-lit arenaallowsforlessonstogoonintotheevening andthevarietyofbridlewayssurroundingthe schoolmeansthatboarderscanrideregularly, everydayifwanted.
PupilswholiveclosertoLewestoncanbenefitfrom flexi-horsing:apackagecombiningnightsin boardingwithridinglessonswhichopensup additionalequestrianopportunities.
MEET THE TEAM
Lorraine Roberts Director Of Riding Academy
Kieran Higson Senior Yard Manager
Lorrainehasbeeninvolvedwithhorsesallherlife(startingasaworkingpupilforher Aunt,beforeshecouldwalk!).Shehasextensivehorsecareknowledgeandhasbeen anaccomplished,well-respectedaccreditedPonyCoachforover35years,andis passionateaboutteachingchildrentoride,carefor,andunderstandtheirhorse. Fromtheearlydaysofhercareer,whensheproducedyounghorsesforeventing, showjumpinganddressagetomentoringherowndaughters,andthechildrenof familiesshehasworkedfortosuccessatnationalandinternationallevel Lorraine hasmorerecentlyledLewestonriderstonumerousachievementsandourriding teamholdmanynationalteamandindividualtitles.
Kieran(BHSStage3)bringswithhimawealthofexperienceofmanagingabusyyard inaschoolsetting KierantrainedatWellingtonRidingCentrebeforeworkingasrider andgroomforDavidDoelEventing.Althoughenjoyinghiscompeting,Kierandecided CoachingandYardManagementwasthewayforward,heisnowworkingtowardshis FullBHSStage4andhasrecentlyboughtayounghorsetoproduce.Kieranisa dedicatedcoachwhoenjoysbeingpartofhisstudents'progresswithaspecial interestindeliveringaWellbeingprogrammesuchasChangingLivesThroughHorses
eshavebeenaconstantthreadthroughoutSophie'slife.Fromayoungage,she hoursinthesaddle,risingthroughtheranksofthePonyClub.Shecompetedat orseoftheYearShow,winningthePrincePhilipCupandgainingrecognitionfor dingskillswithanominationtorideforGreatBritain Afterleavinguniversity, epursuedacareerinjournalismsecuringascholarshiptowritefor"Your e"magazine.Thisopportunityallowedhertocollaboratewithequestrianfigures arlHesterandWilliamFox-Pitt.Shealsocontributedtothedevelopmentof HorseLive,"amajoreventintheequestrianworld.18yearsago,sheembarked onapathtobecomeateacher Herjourneyhasbeendiverse,encompassingteaching andleadershiprolesinNewZealand,consultancyworkfortheUniversityof Auckland,andactingastheheadofaschoolinHampshire.
Havingbeenfortunateenoughtohavegrownuparoundhorsesandcompetingfor thePonyClub,at18Rebeccabackedandbroughtonayearlingwhichshecompeted uptoIntermediatelevelinEventing.Rebeccaenjoyedseveralyearsworkingon EventingyardsintheUKandNZ,aswellasworkingasaPologroom Instructingfor thePonyClubformanyyears,RebeccanowenjoystakingherownchildrentoPony Clubrallies.CurrentlyworkingintheINandEnglishdepartmentatLeweston,she looksforwardtocombiningthispassionforhorseswithbeingapartoftheteaching teamforBTECEquineManagement.
Emma Fisher Coach and Sports Psychologist
Millie,aseasonedanddevotedinstructor,isrecognisedasaBritishHorseSociety AccreditedProfessionalCoachandanaffiliatedBritishEventingCoach She participatedintheGBCoachPathwayprogrammeundertheguidanceofYogiBriesner andhadtheopportunitytotrainalongsideaccomplishedindividualslikePippaFunnell andCarlHester.MilliehastaughtEquineNVQcoursesatKingstonMaurwardCollege andhascompetedatthe5*levelineventingwithdifferenthorses.Herpassionliesin educatingridersonunderstandingtheirhorsestomaximisetheirpotential,and considersitacruciallifeskill
EmmahascompetedInternationallyinthreesports(athletics,eventingandtriathlon). SheholdsadegreeinSportsScienceandPsychology,amastersinPsychology,Level3 CoachingAward,andrecentlyreceivedtheCentre10GoldAwardforExcellencein Coaching EmmacoachedanddevelopedtheIrishJuniorEventingteamforfiveyears beforebeingselectedtocoach,developandleadtheGreatBritainYoungRiderEventing teamasChefd’Equipe(withmanyBronze,SilverandGoldmedalsoverher14yearsin post).EmmarecentlysetupherownMentoringandCoachingbusiness,whichsupports athletescompetingfromequestriangrassrootsto5*level,CommonwealthGamesand Internationalathleticsandclaypigeonshootingcompetitors Emmafeelsstronglythat progressingacoachingpartnershipwithherridersisaboutcommunication, development,supportandlisteningtotheathletesotheycanbeconfident,happyand inspiredtoreachtheirownspecificgoals.
MEET THE HORSES
Hippo:-ANativeShetlandponybornin2001,Hippoisouroldestequineresidentat24 Akindandgenerous ponywithahugepersonalitywhohastaughtmanychildrenhowtoride.HewasaracingShetlandponyinhis youthcompetingatmanyprestigiousshows.EveryoneknowsandlovesHippo!
Casey:-Caseyisa23yearoldWelshSectionAwhocontinuestodoafantasticjobofteachingyoungchildren howtoride.Heenjoyslotsofattentionandhasthepatienceofasaint.Ifyouaresmallandanewcomertoriding Caseymightbeyourfirstpony.
Eddie:-Eddieissmallandverycute,at11.2hhand12yearsoldheisaWelshSectionAandverytruetotype.He isriddenbyoursmaller,morecapableriderswholiketohaveajumpandhaveafuntimeridingaponywhois forwardgoingandenjoyshisjob.
Pippa:-PippaisabeautifulDun14.2hhConnemarapony(fromIreland),shehasalreadytaughtherowners childrenhowtorideandisnowdoingthesamegreatjobforus.Atnearly20yearsoldsheisingoodhealthand lovestohaveajumpandteachsomeofmoreconfidentridersthenextstageofriding.Pippahasabig personalityandcanbealittleimpatientwhenitcomestoteatimeorshehastowaitaroundbutsheisatrue schoolmistresstorideinthearenaoronahack
Betty:-Bettyisatrulyspecialmare,originallyfromIrelandBettyisownedlocallyandismuchlovedbyallwho rideandlookafterher At142hh(andabitonthestockierside)shecanberiddenbychildrenandadultsalike Herhonestandsensiblepersonalitycontinuesfromthestabletothefieldtothearenaandsheisapatientand kindschoolmistresswhoiswellschooledandlovestohaveajumpaswell.Bettyenjoyshacking,butherreal passionistoeatsowedohavewatchherwaistlineabit!
Gilligan:-Gilliganisa16hhIrishSkewbalddistinguishedgentlemanwhohascompetedatalllevelsandisnow usedasschoolmasterforriderswhoarekeentoimprovetheirridingskills.Hecompetesontheschool’sNSEA ridingteamandenjoysjumpingandCross-Country.Gilliganhasakind,lovingpersonalitybutismorethan capableofturningonhispowerforaccurateandfastjumpingrounds.Hisversatilityishisstrengthandheis happytakinganoviceriderforahackaswellasbringinghometherosettesandprizesfortheschool
Joey:-Joeyisanexshowjumperwhobelongstoaformerpupilwhooriginallyjumpedhimontheschool teams,at18yearsoldhenolongerjumpsbutisawell-establishedDressageSchoolmasterworkingatMedium level Heisagoodhorseforimprovingtheconfidentrider’sdressagetechniquesandisriddenbyour experiencedseniorriderswholiketojoininwiththedressagetrainingsessionsheldonsite.Joeyiscapableof takingriderstodressagecompetitionsonceridingskillsreachacertainlevel.
Freddie:-FreddieisourBFG!(BigFriendlyGiant)at17hhheisourtallesthorsebuthewouldhappilyteachthe smallestriderhowtoride.Hehaseventedandcompetedandisnowdoingabrilliantjobasaschoolmasterby beingsopatientandkind,everyonehasfunwhenridingFreddie!
Allourhorseshaveahappyandvariedlife,theyareallturnedoutdaily,enjoyhackingaroundthebeautiful Dorsetcountrysidethatsurroundstheschoolandarewell-schooled,easyandsafetorideandhandle The horsesallrelishtheloveandattentiontheyreceivefromthemanychildrenandvisitorsthatcometoseethem daily. TheRidingAcademystaffareknowledgeableandexperiencedbutaresupportedinthecareofthehorses bytoplocalProfessionalswhohelptokeepourhorsesinthebestofhealth.
